Proba-V sattelite demonstrates ADS-B tracking from space

An experimental receiver aboard a European satellite has picked up signals from more than 15,000 aircraft in the last two years, paving the way for future missions that could track global commercial air traffic from space. “With a single satellite, our detection footprint is relatively small — about 1500 x 750 kilometers (932 x 466 miles) — but for an operational service a constellation of satellites is envisaged to provide worldwide coverage,” (spaceflightnow.com) More...

First flight of Facebook's Aquila

Facebook announced the first full-scale flight of Aquila, a solar powered UAV with the wingspan of a 737 that weighs "one third as much as a car". More details of the test are available at https://code.facebook.com/posts/268598690180189 (newsroom.fb.com) More...

Baggage handler wakes in cargo hold of ASA 448

The baggage handler who caused an emergency landing when he woke up inside the cargo hold of an airborne flight has come forward for the first time to detail the frightening experience, but still won't explain how he fell asleep to begin with. Willa Junior sat down with ABC News for an interview, and says he was exhausted and dozed off while loading a plane at Seattle-Tacoma Airport on April 13 and woke up when a piece of luggage landed on his head. Flight track:… (www.dailymail.co.uk) More...