The Air Force Research Lab last week postponed launching its second X-51A Waverider hypersonic test vehicle. The Waverider departed Edwards AFB, Calif., aboard its B-52 mothership, on March 24, only to be recalled shortly after reaching the test site over the Point Mugu Sea Range. “[T]est controllers opted not to initiate the test since all required test conditions could not be met,” explained Edwards officials in a release. Since the no-go was not due to any malfunction, program officials will reschedule the flight for the next available range date, pending the B-52’s availability and a thorough re-check of the X-51A’s systems. AFRL hopes that the second Waverider vehicle will attain speeds in excess of Mach 6, surpassing the accomplishments of the first X-51A’s flight in May 2010.
US Space Command Should Always Be Led by a Guardian
Sept. 12, 2026
General Stephen Whiting took command of U.S. Space Command in January 2024, and if customary three-year tenures hold, his tour would end in January 2027. The question now before the President and Senate is who should follow him? Whoever they choose, it has to be a Guardian—and so should every successor…
