Space Force Awards Kratos $447 Million Contract for Missile Warning Tracking
Key Takeaways: Kratos wins $447 million contract with U.S. Space Force to develop a ground management system supporting missile-detecting satellites. This initiative highlights Space Force’s partnerships with industry and underscores...
Emergence of Satellite Energy Stealth Startup and the Importance of IP Strategy
Key Takeaway: A startup in satellite energy transmission emerged from stealth with an oversubscribed seed round of $10 million. Investors and developers of energy technologies can benefit from proactive IP...
FAA Consolidates Commercial Space Launch and Reentry License Approvals
Key Takeaway: A new FAA rule simplifies licensing for space launch and reentry operations. Less red tape may speed innovation in space technologies, as well as the development of associated...
War in Iran Spotlights Innovation for Missile Interception Startups
Key Takeaways: The war in Iran is likely to accelerate innovation for defense technology companies. Innovation is particularly needed to develop low-cost missile interception technology. While established defense technology companies...
Proposed UAH-ASKA Agreement for Drive-And-Fly Aircraft: IP Ownership Issues in Joint Development and Public-Private Partnerships
Key Takeaways: The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) and aerospace company ASKA have agreed to explore collaboration on a drive-and-fly aircraft. The proposed joint development exemplifies the need for...
Scope of Government Contractor Immunity From Patent Infringement Further Defined in Mars “Ingenuity” Helicopter Appeal
Key Takeaway: Government contractors who infringe third party patents while performing work “for the Government” and “with the authorization or consent of the Government” are immune from liability for the...
Staking Claims Among the Stars: Patent Protection in the New Space Economy
Key Takeaway: Due to the lower barrier to entry to space, companies that file patents in this developing field now will not only protect their investments but secure an early,...
Thinkorbital Seed Round and IP Considerations for In-Orbit Technologies
Key Takeaway: The funding is the latest example of growing space tech innovation, with implications for regulatory and standards development, as well as for IP issues in protecting off-Earth technologies....
Microgravity Biomanufacturing: Promise, Proof, and Practical Challenges in Orbit
Biomanufacturing in microgravity is emerging as a significant area of technical and commercial interest, but recent research suggests that intellectual property strategy may be as critical as access to orbit....
The Next Era of Aerospace Advancement: AI Optimizing Operations, Safety, and Strategy
AI has become a buzzword synonymous with transformation, revolution, and innovation. Some industries are closer to effectively implementing AI solutions than others, due to the nature of their work and...
Airbus Americas Seeks U.S. Tariff Exemption on Aircraft Parts Amid Upcoming Trade Deal Review and Industry Growth
In a recent letter to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, as reported by Mexico Business News, Airbus Americas CEO Robin Hayes warned that U.S. tariffs on aircraft parts...
Gogo Launches 5G Air-To-Ground Network, Amidst Legal Headwinds
Gogo Inc. (NASDAQ: GOGO) announced on December 29, 2025, that its 5G air-to-ground (ATG) connectivity network is ready to serve customers in North America. After successful completion of in-flight testing...
DARPA Announces “Lift Challenge,” Seeking Drone Designs With High Payload-To-Weight Ratios
DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) issued a challenge, the DARPA Lift Challenge, in October 2025 to develop novel drone designs that have greater payload-to-weight ratio. DARPA, which is the...
Boeing Completes Acquisition of Spirit Aerosystems With IP Divestiture
Boeing announced on December 8, 2025, that it had completed its acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems. The deal is valued at $4.7 billion, or $8.3 billion including the assumption of debt....
FAA Request for Information Related to a New Air Traffic Control Platform
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a request for information (RFI) related to “a single, state-of-the art platform for air traffic control called the Common Automation Platform (CAP).” The CAP...
Vertical Aerospace Poised for Piloted Transition Amid Expanding eVTOL Market
Vertical Aerospace (NYSE: EVTL) achieved a milestone in its eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle) development. On November 13, 2025, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) granted Vertical a...
U.S. Government Aerospace Procurement Updates and Implications for Intellectual Property
The U.S. government has recently signaled changes for development and procurement of weapons and aerospace systems. The government has stressed moving faster in procurement and becoming more self-reliant in manufacturing...
Aerospace IP Strategy in View of Recent U.S. Patent Office Updates
Aerospace technology companies often decide between patenting an innovation or keeping it as a trade secret. Typically, the analysis involves comparing the potential strength of patent protection that is likely...
Furthering Industry Consolidation, Archer Aviation Is Acquiring Lilium’s Patent Portfolio
Competition in the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) industry has been fierce and has led to recent consolidation. Some of the remaining companies include Joby Aviation, Wisk Aero, Wanfeng, and Archer...
Space Force Announces “Maneuverable GEO” Satellite Competition
The U.S. Space Force is planning a competition for commercial maneuverable satellites to support the military’s Maneuverable Geosynchronous (GEO) program. The Maneuverable GEO program reportedly seeks to partner with a...
FCC Launches “Space Month” to Boost U.S. Space Economy
On October 6, 2025, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr declared October 2025 “Space Month” in an effort “to boost our country’s space economy.” The FCC’s stated goal for Space Month “is...
