Singapore Airshow 2026 to Launch “New Frontiers” with Inaugural Space Summit

The Singapore Airshow will return to the Changi Exhibition Centre from February 3 to 8, 2026, marking its 10th edition with a significant expansion into the commercial space sector. According to an official press release from the organizers, Experia Events, the biennial event will celebrate its 20th anniversary under the theme “New Frontiers in Aviation and Space.”

As one of the most influential aerospace and defense exhibitions in the Asia-Pacific region, the 2026 edition aims to bring together over 1,000 participating companies from more than 50 countries. The event will feature a strategic evolution from traditional aviation to include the rapidly growing space economy, alongside a continued focus on sustainability and advanced defense technologies.

Expanding into the Space Economy

For the first time, the Airshow will host the Space Summit 2026, a dedicated event running from February 2 to 3 at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre. This summit is designed to position Singapore as a central hub for space dialogue in the region, covering topics such as space infrastructure, investment, and the “in-space economy.”

Organizers highlighted the economic potential of this sector, citing McKinsey projections that the global space economy could reach $1.8 trillion by 2035. The summit is organized in partnership with the Office for Space Technology & Industry (OSTIn) and will feature leaders from global space agencies and commercial enterprises.

“Space technologies are becoming increasingly integral to our economy… The Space Summit@Singapore Airshow in 2026 provides a timely platform to spotlight Singapore’s capabilities in innovation and foster global partnerships across the space value chain.”

, Mr. Jonathan Hung, Executive Director, Office for Space Technology & Industry (OSTIn)

Sustainability and Advanced Defense

While expanding into space, the Airshow maintains its core focus on decarbonization and defense. The 2026 edition will spotlight Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and net-zero initiatives, with Neste returning as the Sustainable Aviation Partner to address supply chain adoption.

In the defense sector, the exhibition will showcase “next-generation” technologies, specifically highlighting companies specializing in artificial intelligence and autonomy, such as Helsing, Quantum, and Shield AI. The event will also feature expanded zones for digital aviation and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), reflecting the region’s growing interest in electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

AirPro News Analysis

The decision to formally integrate a Space Summit into the Singapore Airshow reflects a broader industry trend where the lines between traditional aerospace and the commercial space sector are blurring. By anchoring the event with a dedicated space summit, Singapore is likely attempting to replicate its success as an aviation hub in the nascent “New Space” market. This move allows the Airshow to remain relevant as defense budgets increasingly allocate funds to satellite infrastructure and space-based assets, ensuring the event appeals to a wider array of investors and policymakers beyond conventional aircraft manufacturers.

A Milestone Year for the Industry

The 2026 event marks two decades since the Airshow’s inception in 2008. The organizers report that the previous edition in 2024 signaled a full recovery from the pandemic, attracting approximately 60,000 trade attendees and generating a record S$391 million in economic impact. Experia Events expects the 10th edition to match or exceed these figures, driven by the Asia-Pacific region’s demand for new aircraft.

“Reaching our 10th edition is a significant milestone for Singapore Airshow. Over the past two decades, the Airshow has evolved alongside the industry… In 2026, we are proud to expand our horizons further with new features and partnerships that reflect the industry’s transformation.”

, Mr. Leck Chet Lam, Managing Director of Experia Events

Frequently Asked Questions

• When is the Singapore Airshow 2026? The main event runs from February 3–8, 2026. Trade days are February 3–6, while public days (Weekend@Airshow) are February 7–8.
• Where will the event be held? The main exhibition is at the Changi Exhibition Centre, while the Space Summit will be held at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre.
• Who can attend? The first four days are reserved for trade attendees and government delegations. The final two days are open to the public.

Sources

• Experia Events via PR Newswire

This article is based on an official press release from RTX.

RTX’s Blue Canyon Technologies Powers NASA’s Pandora Mission to Study Exoplanet Atmospheres

On January 14, 2026, RTX announced that its small satellite subsidiary, Blue Canyon Technologies, successfully provided the spacecraft platform for NASA’s Pandora mission. The mission, which launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on January 11, 2026, is designed to study the atmospheres of planets outside our solar system, known as exoplanets.

According to the company’s statement, the Pandora mission utilizes a Blue Canyon Saturn-200 minisatellite bus. This platform supports a specialized telescope capable of disentangling the light signals of stars from the planets orbiting them, a critical step in identifying the chemical composition of alien atmospheres. The mission represents a significant milestone for Blue Canyon Technologies, marking the 87th spacecraft launched in the company’s history.

Deciphering “Stellar Contamination”

While the mission is described in release materials as an “interstellar mission,” the satellite itself operates in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at an altitude of approximately 600 kilometers. Its “interstellar” designation refers to its observational targets: a diverse selection of at least 20 exoplanets ranging from Earth-sized worlds to Jupiter-sized giants.

The primary scientific objective of Pandora is to solve the problem of “stellar contamination.” When astronomers observe an exoplanet transiting (passing in front of) its host star, variations in the star’s own light, such as starspots or flares, can mimic or obscure the atmospheric signals of the planet. By observing the star and the planet simultaneously over long durations, Pandora aims to separate these signals.

This data is expected to be crucial for determining the habitability of these worlds. Specifically, the mission will look for water vapor, hydrogen, and other gases, providing a clearer picture of which planets possess atmospheres suitable for further study by larger observatories like the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).

The Saturn-200 Platform

Blue Canyon Technologies, an RTX business, manufactured the spacecraft bus at its facility in Colorado. The Saturn-200 “bus” serves as the infrastructure for the mission, providing power, propulsion, and the critical Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) systems required to keep the telescope locked onto distant targets.

According to RTX, this mission features the largest telescope payload ever integrated onto a Blue Canyon spacecraft. The precision required to stare at a single star for extended periods places high demands on the satellite’s stability.

“Our Saturn-class platform, equipped with advanced guidance, navigation, and control systems, will provide the precision pointing and stability critical to the success of this important mission.”

Chris Winslett, General Manager of Blue Canyon Technologies

In addition to manufacturing the bus, Blue Canyon managed the launch vehicle integration and is providing post-launch commissioning and mission operations support. The mission is led by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, with management by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL).

AirPro News Analysis: The Shift to SmallSats

The deployment of Pandora highlights a continuing trend in astrophysics toward utilizing SmallSats for high-value science. Historically, missions requiring high-precision pointing and long-duration observation were the domain of large, flagship-class observatories. The ability to mount a significant telescope payload on a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) class bus like the Saturn-200 suggests that the cost barrier for specific types of astronomical research is lowering.

For RTX, this mission reinforces the strategic value of its acquisition of Blue Canyon Technologies. By leveraging standardized buses for government science missions, the company is positioning itself to capture a larger share of the civil space market, which increasingly favors “rideshare” launches and smaller, more frequent mission cadences over decade-long development cycles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Pandora satellite traveling to other stars?
No. The satellite orbits Earth. It is an observatory designed to look at other stars and their planets, but it does not travel to them.

How long will the mission last?
The primary science mission is scheduled to last for one year.

What launch vehicle was used?
Pandora launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 as part of a rideshare mission on January 11, 2026.

Sources

• RTX Press Release

This article is based on an official press release from NASA.

NASA Bolsters Supersonic Research Fleet with Retired Air Force F-15s

NASA has officially expanded its flight research capabilities by acquiring two retired F-15 Eagle aircraft from the U.S. Air Force. According to an official announcement from the agency, the jets arrived at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on December 22, 2025. These Military-Aircraft are slated to play a critical role in supporting the agency’s ongoing supersonic flight research, specifically the X-59 Quesst mission.

The transfer involves aircraft previously assigned to the Oregon Air National Guard’s 173rd Fighter Wing, based at Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls, Oregon. Rather than being sent to long-term storage, these high-performance jets have been redirected to support civil aviation research. NASA officials confirmed that the acquisition is part of a strategic effort to maintain a robust fleet capable of keeping pace with next-generation experimental aircraft.

The primary objective for these newly acquired assets is to support the X-59 Quesst (Quiet SuperSonic Technology) demonstrator. As the X-59 prepares for high-speed trials, the F-15s will serve as “chase planes,” providing essential visual verification and data collection during supersonic flight tests.

Operational Strategy: One to Fly, One for Parts

In a move designed to ensure long-term sustainability for the program, NASA revealed that the two aircraft will serve different functions. One of the F-15s will be modified to become an active research platform, joining the flight line at Armstrong. The second aircraft will be utilized as a “parts bird,” effectively serving as a donor airframe to provide spare components to keep the flying aircraft operational.

This logistical strategy addresses the challenge of maintaining older military airframes. By securing a dedicated source of spare parts immediately, NASA ensures that the active chase plane can remain flight-worthy throughout the duration of the X-59 program without facing supply chain delays common to legacy aircraft.

Role as a Chase Plane

The active F-15 will act as a chase plane, a vital component of flight testing. Chase planes fly in close formation with experimental aircraft to monitor safety, verify the operation of control surfaces, and capture high-resolution imagery. For the X-59 mission, the chase plane must match the experimental jet’s speed and altitude capabilities.

Troy Asher, Director for Flight Operations at NASA Armstrong, emphasized the importance of this Acquisitions in the official release:

“These two aircraft will enable successful data collection and chase plane capabilities for the X-59 through the life of the Low Boom Flight Demonstrator project.”

, Troy Asher, Director for Flight Operations at NASA Armstrong

Supporting the X-59 Quesst Mission

The timing of this acquisition aligns with critical milestones for the X-59 Quesst mission. The X-59 is designed to fly at supersonic speeds while generating a quiet “thump” rather than a disruptive sonic boom. Validating this technology requires a chase aircraft capable of sustained supersonic flight.

According to mission data, the X-59 completed its first flight on October 28, 2025, validating its subsonic airworthiness. The program is currently undergoing planned maintenance, with supersonic flight testing scheduled to begin in March 2026. The F-15, with a top speed exceeding Mach 2.5 (approximately 1,650 mph), is one of the few platforms capable of keeping up with the X-59 during these high-speed envelope expansion flights.

Technical Capabilities

NASA has a long history of utilizing the F-15 Eagle, dating back to the 1970s. The aircraft is favored for its robust airframe, twin-engine reliability, and high service ceiling of over 60,000 feet. The specific aircraft acquired are expected to be modified with research instrumentation, potentially including air-to-air schlieren photography equipment to visualize shockwaves.

“NASA has been flying F-15s since some of the earliest models came out… The F-15s allow NASA to operate in high-speed, high-altitude flight-testing environments.”

, Troy Asher, Director for Flight Operations at NASA Armstrong

AirPro News Analysis

Strategic Asset Management: We view this acquisition as a prime example of government efficiency through asset “upcycling.” The 173rd Fighter Wing is currently retiring its F-15 fleet as part of a broader Air Force transition. By transferring these assets to NASA rather than sending them to the “boneyard” (the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group in Arizona), the government extends the return on investment for these airframes.

Furthermore, the “parts bird” strategy suggests that NASA is preparing for an intensive flight schedule in 2026. As the X-59 moves toward community overflight testing to gather data for regulators, the reliability of the support fleet will be just as critical as the experimental aircraft itself. Without a reliable supersonic chase plane, the X-59 cannot safely push the boundaries of quiet supersonic travel.

Sources

• NASA: NASA Adds Two F-15 Aircraft to Support Supersonic Flight Research