Also: Abu Dhabi’s 1st Vertiport Network, Anduril-EDGE Partner, Vertical Permit/eVTOL Regs Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser spaceplane has cleared another round of pre-flight milestones at Kennedy Space Center. The company has been running the spacecraft through a long list of test campaigns ahead of its debut under NASA’s CRS-2 cargo contract. The Dream Chaser’s most recent accomplishments include electromagnetic interference and compatibility testing inside the Space Systems Processing Facility, demonstrating that its avionics and subsystems behave properly in the kinds of charged environments it will encounter from launch to landing. Joby Aviation announced the first flight of its recently developed turbine-electric, autonomous VTOL aircraft. This comes just three months after the aircraft concept was announced in conjunction with L3Harris Technologies, who brings technologies and expertise to address defense applications for the U.S. military. Archer Aviation announced the completion of a flight test program of its Midnight aircraft in-country in the UAE with its operating environment over desert areas. The flights showcased the Midnight’s full flight envelope including vertical takeoff, transition, and wingborne flight, and the campaign signifies a major step forward in the implementation of Abu Dhabi’s vision for advanced air mobility. All this — and MORE in today’s episode of Airborne-NextGen!!!
