| Date | Headline | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, 25th | US Air Force Receives First Electric Air Taxi | The New York Times |
On Monday, the US Air Force announced the receipt of its first electric passenger aircraft capable of vertical take-off and landing, marking a significant milestone for companies aiming to introduce air taxis on a large scale. The aircraft was delivered by Joby Aviation, a Santa Cruze-based startup, to a US Air Force air base in Southern California.
Air taxis, which operate on batteries, combine the capabilities of helicopters and aircraft, allowing them to take off and land vertically like helicopters while utilizing wings for flight. According to Joby Aviation, the electric aircraft is considerably quieter compared to helicopters and traditional aircraft. It has a capacity to transport one pilot and four passengers, reaching speeds of up to 200 miles per hour and covering distances of up to 100 miles.
The delivery was made under a $131 million Air Force contract, allowing the government to potentially acquire up to nine similar aircraft. While the Air Force and Joby will jointly operate the device, ownership will remain with Joby.
| Organization | Missions |
|---|---|
| NASA | Apollo, Voyager, Hubble, International Space Station (ISS) |
| Collaborations | European Space Agency (ESA), Roscosmos, Chinese National Space Administration (CNSA) |
In related news, NASA engages in various projects encompassing scientific discovery, aeronautics, astronautics, planetary research, space technologies, and education. The agency’s most renowned missions include Apollo, which landed the first humans on the moon, Voyager, which explored the outer planets of the solar system, Hubble, which captured