AURA AERO Returns Cassio S Demonstrator to Flight as X-VOLT; Lockheed Skunk Works Expands Vectis Stealth Program; SpaceX Delays Starship Launch to September 28
Why It MattersThe updates span advanced air mobility, defense autonomy and space launch, showing parallel momentum across hybrid-electric propulsion, stealth unmanned systems and reusable rocket development.
Just two months after acquiring VoltAero's assets, AURA AERO has returned the former Cassio S hybrid-electric demonstrator to flight under the designation X-VOLT. The company says future flights of the aircraft could help shape the propulsion system of its planned 19-seat regional aircraft.
Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works division is expanding its Vectis stealth autonomous vehicle program, adding four more vehicles to the effort as the team works toward a first flight target of 2027. Lockheed Martin cited the evolving battlespace and growing demand for survivable, multi-mission autonomous capability as drivers of the expansion.
SpaceX has pushed the next launch of its Starship rocket back to September 28, 2026, after originally targeting September 22 for the mission. Liftoff is scheduled from SpaceX's Starbase facility in South Texas during a 75-minute window opening at 8:15 a.m. Starship is the fully reusable rocket SpaceX is developing for lunar and Mars missions.
