Technology & Innovation
Thomas Pesquet Joins Airbus Flight Test School for Lunar Mission Prep
ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet trains as Airbus flight test pilot to fulfill NASA Artemis lunar mission requirements and enhance aerospace collaboration.
From Orbit to Flight Test: Thomas Pesquet’s New Frontier at Airbus
In a significant move that bridges the gap between space exploration and aviation, European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Thomas Pesquet is embarking on a new mission, not in orbit, but on the tarmac. The celebrated French astronaut, who has logged nearly 400 days on the International Space Station (ISS), is joining Airbus to train as a flight test pilot. This strategic career step is not just a return to his piloting roots but a calculated move with his sights set firmly on a future lunar mission. Pesquet’s transition highlights the intricate and symbiotic relationship between the aerospace and aviation industries, where skills honed in one domain are invaluable in the other.
Pesquet’s journey to become a test pilot is a testament to the evolving requirements for the next generation of space explorers. As humanity pushes the boundaries of exploration with programs like NASA’s Artemis, the demands on astronauts are becoming more rigorous. The Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon, specifically emphasizes the need for crew members with test pilot qualifications. By joining the Airbus Flight Test School’s ‘Class of ’26’ in Toulouse, Pesquet is proactively acquiring the credentials necessary to be a prime candidate for these challenging missions, positioning not only himself but also Europe for a coveted seat on a future lunar flight.
This collaboration is a two-way street, offering substantial benefits to both the astronaut and the aerospace giant. While Pesquet gains a critical qualification, Airbus secures the expertise of an individual with unparalleled experience in extreme environments. His extensive time on the ISS, working with complex systems like the Russian Soyuz and SpaceX Dragon capsules, provides him with a unique perspective on human-machine interfaces. This experience is a valuable asset for Airbus as it continues to innovate and refine the cockpits and control systems of its next-generation aircraft.
A Strategic Leap Towards the Moon
The decision for Thomas Pesquet to pursue a flight test pilot qualification is driven by a clear and ambitious goal: the Moon. NASA’s Artemis program represents a new era of space exploration, moving beyond the now-familiar territory of low-Earth orbit. The vehicles and technologies being developed for these lunar missions are at the cutting edge, and their testing phase is critical. Pesquet himself has noted the emphasis on these qualifications, stating, “Artemis vehicles are being tested as we speak… For that reason, there’s a lot of emphasis on test pilot qualifications. It’s written in black and white that some of the mission’s crew members will need to have those qualifications.”
The training program at Airbus is notoriously demanding. Pesquet will be a student like any other, immersed in a rigorous curriculum that includes both theoretical classroom sessions and a practical flight phase. This hands-on phase will see him testing a wide array of aircraft, from nimble aerobatic planes to the sophisticated A350-1000. Jean-Philippe Cottet, the head of Airbus Flight Tests, emphasized the intensity of the program, noting the high level of engagement and focus required to prepare, execute, and analyze the results of each test flight. This comprehensive training ensures that graduates are among the most skilled and specialized pilots in the world.
This endeavor is more than just a personal career move; it symbolizes a powerful collaboration within the European aerospace ecosystem. The partnership between Pesquet, the ESA, and Airbus showcases a unified ambition to remain at the forefront of space and aviation. Pesquet’s journey from a commercial airline pilot for Air France to an astronaut and now a test pilot in training encapsulates a career dedicated to mastering the complexities of flight, whether in the Earth’s atmosphere or the vacuum of space. His unique background makes him a bridge between these two worlds, fostering innovation and shared knowledge.
“Space and aviation go hand in hand… The best training for a space mission is actually flying airliners.” – Thomas Pesquet
From Airline Pilot to Astronaut and Back
Thomas Pesquet is no stranger to the cockpit. Before his celebrated career as an astronaut, he was a commercial pilot for Air France, flying the Commercial-Aircraft A320. He has accumulated over 2,000 hours of flying time on various commercial airliners and is also a qualified type-rating flight instructor. This extensive aviation background provided a solid foundation for his transition to spaceflight. Pesquet has often highlighted the parallels between the two disciplines, noting that skills like crew resource management, teamwork, and maintaining composure under pressure are directly transferable from an aircraft cockpit to a space capsule.
Throughout his time as an astronaut, Pesquet has maintained his connection to aviation. He has flown the A310 on parabolic research flights, which simulate zero-gravity conditions, and serves as a reservist A330 pilot for the French Air Force. His passion for flying has kept him closely connected to the Airbus Flight Test team since 2018, often flying with them in his personal time. This long-standing relationship and his deep-seated passion for aviation made the decision to formally train as a test pilot a logical next step in his career progression.
Pesquet’s return to a formal piloting role allows him to contribute his unique operational experience to Airbus. Having operated some of the most advanced human-machine interfaces ever created, including those on the ISS and the spacecraft that travel to it, he brings a fresh perspective. He aims to leverage this experience to “think outside the box” and contribute to the design and testing of future aircraft systems. This cross-pollination of ideas, from space back to aviation, is invaluable for driving innovation and enhancing the safety and efficiency of future flight technologies.
Conclusion: A New Chapter in European Aerospace
Thomas Pesquet’s decision to train as a flight test pilot with Airbus marks a pivotal moment, not just for his career, but for the broader European aerospace industry. It underscores a strategic alignment of goals between space agencies and private industry, recognizing that the future of exploration requires a new breed of professional with a diverse and highly specialized skill set. By pursuing this qualification, Pesquet is directly addressing the stringent requirements of future lunar missions, significantly increasing the likelihood of European participation in humanity’s return to the Moon.
This collaboration is a powerful symbol of the interconnectedness of aviation and space exploration. The skills and experiences gained in one field are proving to be indispensable in the other. As Pesquet trades his spacesuit for a flight suit, he brings with him a wealth of knowledge from the frontiers of space, ready to apply it to the cutting edge of aviation technology. His journey is a compelling narrative of continuous learning and adaptation, reflecting the dynamic and ambitious spirit that drives the aerospace sector forward into new and exciting frontiers.
FAQ
Question: Why is Thomas Pesquet training to be a flight test pilot?
Answer: Thomas Pesquet is training to become a flight test pilot to meet the qualifications required for future lunar missions under NASA’s Artemis program. The program places a strong emphasis on having crew members with test pilot experience due to the new and untested nature of the vehicles involved.
Question: What is Thomas Pesquet’s background in aviation?
Answer: Before becoming an astronaut, Thomas Pesquet was a commercial pilot for Air France, flying the Airbus A320. He has over 2,000 hours of flying time and is also a qualified flight instructor. He has also flown the A310 for parabolic flights and is a reservist A330 pilot for the French Air Force.
Question: How will Airbus benefit from this collaboration?
Answer: Airbus will benefit from Pesquet’s unique and extensive experience with various advanced human-machine interfaces from his time on the International Space Station and flying in Soyuz and SpaceX Dragon capsules. This perspective is valuable for the development and testing of new aircraft technologies.
Sources: From Orbit to Flight Test: Thomas Pesquet Joins Airbus
Photo Credit: Airbus
Technology & Innovation
REGENT Craft Opens Seaglider Manufacturing Facility in Rhode Island
REGENT Craft opened its 255,000-sq-ft Rhode Island facility on Sept 30, 2026, targeting serial production and late 2027 deliveries.
REGENT Craft officially opened its 255,000-square-foot Seaglider Manufacturing Facility in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, on September 30, 2026, marking the transition from prototyping to serial production for its all-electric maritime vessels.
The facility opening, supported by a recent $240 million Series B funding round, featured the first public live flight demonstration of the company’s 12-passenger Viceroy prototype and autonomous Squire drone. In a press release issued to coincide with the event, the company outlined its path toward initial customer deliveries in late 2027.
Scaling manufacturing capacity
The ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1 Seaglider Way in the Quonset Business Park drew more than 600 attendees. Notable participants included U.S. Representative Gabe Amo, Kamio Ao of Japan Airlines, Stephen Edwards, CEO of Hornblower, Steven King, Managing Director of the Quonset Development Corporation, and Admiral Butch Dollaga (Ret.), Operating Partner at AE Industrial Partners. The event occurred less than a month after the Viceroy prototype achieved its first ground effect flight on September 9, 2026.
With the new facility operational, REGENT aims to reach an annual production rate of 75 Viceroy vessels and 300 Squire drones at full capacity. The company has raised $340 million in total capital to date, including the recent $240 million Series B round, to support this industrialization effort.
“We proved the technology and the demand; now we build. With $340 million raised to date and 1 Seaglider Way officially open, we’re moving from prototype to production and putting Seaglider vessels in customers’ hands. This is what reindustrializing America looks like: a cutting-edge facility, a first-rate team, and a product the world wants,” said Billy Thalheimer, Co-founder and CEO of REGENT Craft.
Expanding defense partnerships
Alongside its commercial manufacturing milestones, REGENT is expanding its footprint in the defense sector. On October 1, 2026, the company announced a $5 million Phase IV contract extension with the U.S. Marine Corps Warfighting Lab. This extension brings the total value of the contract to $19.25 million.
The extended agreement focuses on demonstrating the full-scale Viceroy prototype in operationally relevant conditions. It also covers the integration of seagliders into military command-and-control systems, evaluating the technology for expeditionary logistics and over-water transport missions.
Thalheimer noted the rapid progression of the military partnership in a statement regarding the contract extension. He stated that what began as a feasibility question has evolved into a real operational program, indicating the trajectory of the technology.
Wing-in-ground-effect technology and market position
Founded by Billy Thalheimer and Mike Klinker, REGENT develops wing-in-ground-effect (WIG) craft designed to provide fast, low-cost, zero-emission coastal transportation. The seagliders operate in three distinct modes. They float on their hulls at the dock, transition onto hydrofoils as speed increases, and fly just above the water’s surface within a wingspan of the water during cruise. Because they operate exclusively over water, the vessels fall under maritime jurisdiction rather than aviation regulations.
The company has amassed a commercial order book valued at $10 billion across six continents. Customers and partners include Ocean Flyer in New Zealand, Japan Airlines, and Hornblower.
The opening of the North Kingstown facility follows a structured development timeline. The final structural beam was installed on November 14, 2025, and the company announced the completion of the building at the Reindustrialize conference in Detroit on June 16, 2026. The focus now shifts to fulfilling the order book, with targeted first customer deliveries of the 12-passenger Viceroy Seaglider scheduled for late 2027.
AirPro News analysis
REGENT’s transition into a dedicated 255,000-square-foot production facility represents a critical maturation point for the modern wing-in-ground-effect sector. While WIG concepts have existed for decades, they have historically struggled to bridge the gap between experimental prototypes and serial manufacturing. By securing $340 million in capital and establishing a $10 billion order book, REGENT has built a financial foundation that previous WIG developers lacked.
The dual-use strategy is equally significant. The $19.25 million U.S. Marine Corps contract provides non-dilutive funding and operational validation while the commercial side navigates the maritime regulatory framework. Operating under maritime rather than aviation jurisdiction allows REGENT to bypass the lengthy certification processes required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), potentially accelerating the path to market for coastal transport operators. We view the concurrent advancement of the commercial manufacturing base and the military operational testing as a strong indicator of the platform’s viability.
Photo Credit: REGENT Craft
Sustainable Aviation
SABA Members Back Infinium eSAF Facility With Long-Term Deals
Google, McKinsey, and others sign binding SAFc agreements to support Infinium Energy’s 100,000 MT/year Texas eSAF project.
Corporate members of the Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance (SABA) have signed binding, multi-year agreements to purchase sustainable aviation fuel certificates (SAFc) from Infinium Energy’s planned electro-sustainable aviation fuel (eSAF) facility in Texas. The commitments, announced on September 22, 2026, are designed to provide the financial demand signals necessary for Infinium to reach a final investment decision on the project.
In a press release issued by SABA, the organization confirmed that American Airlines (AA) will serve as the physical offtaker for the fuel, managing logistics and delivery. The corporate buyers purchasing the associated certificates include AVEVA, Bain & Company, Google, and McKinsey & Company. The agreement marks the first time SABA’s procurement model has been utilized to directly drive new production capacity for scalable sustainable aviation fuel.
Project Atlas production and environmental targets
Infinium Energy was selected through a SABA procurement process earlier in 2026 to provide ultra-low carbon eSAF. The fuel is produced using waste carbon dioxide and renewable energy, distinguishing it from traditional biofuel pathways that rely on agricultural or waste feedstocks.
The planned Texas facility, designated Project Atlas, is expected to have an annual sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production capacity of 100,000 metric tons. According to the alliance, the contracted volumes will support an expected greenhouse gas abatement of 212,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (mtCO2e). SABA equates this emissions reduction to approximately 3,500 commercial flights between John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
“We’re proud to partner with SABA members including AVEVA, Bain & Company, Google, McKinsey, and others, as well as American Airlines to bring Infinium Energy’s next world scale eSAF facility to life. Their commitment reflects a shared conviction that decarbonizing aviation requires real investment in next-generation supply,” said Robert Schuetzle, CEO of Infinium Energy.
Aggregating demand through book-and-claim
The transaction utilizes a book-and-claim model. Corporate buyers purchase the SAFc to claim the environmental benefits against their business travel emissions, while the physical fuel is delivered to partner airlines. This mechanism allows corporations to fund SAF production even when the physical fuel cannot be delivered directly to the airports their employees use.
American Airlines will manage the physical integration of the eSAF into the commercial aviation fuel supply chain. Jill Blickstein, Chief Sustainability Officer at American Airlines, stated that the corporate commitments broaden participation in the SAF market and demonstrate how customers can collaborate with airlines and fuel producers to advance decarbonization.
SABA, a joint initiative of the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), the Center for Green Market Activation (GMA), and RMI, has aggregated $500 million in SAFc demand from 35 companies to date. Aviation currently accounts for approximately 2 to 3 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
“Novel technologies are critical to meeting future demand for sustainable aviation fuel, but they will not be operational in time without investments made today. This procurement demonstrates how aggregated, long-term demand can help take promising eSAF projects from idea to reality,” said Jon Creyts, CEO of RMI.
AirPro News analysis
We view this agreement as a critical structural step for the eSAF market. Power-to-Liquid (PtL) fuels like those planned for Project Atlas face a steep commercialization barrier. They are highly capital-intensive to build and currently produce fuel at a significant cost premium compared to both conventional Jet A and HEFA-based SAF derived from waste fats and oils.
Airlines operate on thin margins and generally cannot absorb the full green premium of eSAF alone. By unbundling the environmental attributes from the physical fuel, the SABA model allows highly capitalized corporate entities like Google and McKinsey & Company to absorb that premium. More importantly, signing binding, multi-year offtake agreements provides the revenue certainty that infrastructure lenders require before financing first-of-a-kind industrial facilities. If Project Atlas reaches a positive final investment decision based on these contracts, it will validate the book-and-claim model as a viable financing mechanism for next-generation aerospace infrastructure.
Sources: Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance via PR Newswire
Photo Credit: Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance
Technology & Innovation
Skyfly Axe eVTOL to Debut at AirVenture as FAA MOSAIC Takes Effect
Skyfly Technologies will showcase the Axe eVTOL at EAA AirVenture 2026, aligned with the FAA MOSAIC Phase 2 LSA certification rule.
UK and US-based aerospace manufacturer Skyfly Technologies Ltd announced on June 15, 2026, that it will debut its Axe Vertically Capable Aircraft at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, aligning with the final implementation of the Federal Aviation Administration’s new light sport aircraft regulations.
In a press release, the company stated the July 20 to 26, 2026 exhibition coincides directly with the July 24, 2026 effective date for Phase 2 of the Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC) rule. This regulatory shift provides a viable certification pathway for personal electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft by allowing them to be classified as Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) rather than requiring complex transport-category type certification.
Aligning with the MOSAIC framework
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published the final MOSAIC rule in the Federal Register on July 24, 2025, with Phase 1 taking effect in October 2025. The upcoming Phase 2 implementation replaces the legacy 1,320-pound weight limit for the LSA category with performance-based metrics, such as stall speed limits. This officially permits powered-lift aircraft to qualify for LSA certification, allowing manufacturers to utilize industry consensus standards.
Skyfly Chief Executive Officer Michael Thompson highlighted the regulatory alignment between the company’s design philosophy and the new FAA framework.
“The timing could not be better. The Axe was conceived around a simple idea: that personal vertical flight can be safe and accessible when simplicity, efficiency and redundancy are built into the design. MOSAIC creates a framework that recognizes those principles.”
Prior to the MOSAIC framework, manufacturers of personal eVTOLs faced the prospect of pursuing transport-category type certification. Thompson noted that the special conditions for vertically capable aircraft were designed for transport-level operations, describing the legacy requirement as “completely overkill” for light sport applications.
Axe VCA development and specifications
The Axe Vertically Capable Aircraft (VCA) is a two-seat personal eVTOL intended for private ownership rather than commercial air taxi operations. Designed by Chief Technology Officer Dr. William Brooks, the aircraft utilizes a dual-wing canard design equipped with eight electric motors driving four rotors, generating 280 kW of peak power.
According to company specifications, the Axe has a maximum all-up weight of 690 kg and a payload capacity of 172 kg. The aircraft is designed to achieve a fully electric range of 100 miles and a cruise speed of 100 mph.
Skyfly, headquartered in Oxfordshire, UK, with a US office at SunTrax in Auburndale, Florida, has accumulated 57 customer orders for the Axe as of May 2026.
Flight testing progression and future targets
Founded in 2019, Skyfly has advanced the Axe through multiple testing phases. The aircraft completed its initial manned hover flights in November 2024, followed by piloted fixed-wing test flights in March 2025. In August 2025, the prototype executed a 10-nautical-mile cross-country flight between Turweston and Bicester in the UK, marking a milestone for airfield-to-airfield eVTOL operations in Europe.
The company is currently preparing for transition flight testing to evaluate the shift between vertical and forward flight. Skyfly is also developing a second prototype in the UK, which will feature a new propulsion system and a larger battery to mitigate thermal limitations identified during earlier hover tests. Testing of this upgraded propulsion package is scheduled to begin in late 2026, with the company targeting initial customer deliveries in 2027.
AirPro News analysis
The implementation of the FAA MOSAIC rule represents a structural shift for the lower end of the advanced air mobility market. By removing the prohibitive cost barrier of transport-category type certification, regulators are opening a viable commercial path for private-use eVTOLs. We expect this regulatory clarity to accelerate development timelines for manufacturers like Skyfly, shifting the competitive focus from certification strategy to production scaling and consumer adoption. The presence of the Axe at EAA AirVenture, an event expected to draw 700,000 attendees, signals a deliberate pivot toward the traditional general aviation consumer base, testing whether the experimental and light sport communities are ready to embrace powered-lift technology.
Photo Credit: Skyfly
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