Aerospace

Fake astronaut scams woman for US$30,000 ‘landing fee’ to return to Earth

Police claim that an international romance scam resulted in the theft of thousands of dollars from a Japanese woman.

Police claim that an international romance scam resulted in the theft of thousands of dollars from a Japanese woman. According to a news release from the Shiga Prefectural Police’s Higashi-Omi Police Station from October 7th, the 65-year-old woman in Higashiomi City contacted a man online who claimed to be a Russian astronaut operating on the International Space Station.

Cops puzzled by woman who waited outside Mumbai airport for 10 days..!(Opens in a new browser tab)

As reported by the outlet, which cited police, the “astronaut” declared his love for the woman and asked her to marry him. When he got back to Earth, he told her they might get married, according to TV Asahi. The scam artist posing as an astronaut requested money from the victim to pay for “landing fees” and rocket costs in order to return to Earth.

Between August and September, the woman sent him five payments totaling roughly $30,000 (4.4 million yen), according to the Yomiuri Shimbun. The Scam artist persisted in demanding money though, so the woman called the police.

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Aerospace

Boeing’s Aurora Flight Sciences Expands Columbus Plant by 50,000 Sqft

Credit:Aurora Flight Sciences

Aurora Flight Sciences, a subsidiary of Boeing, has launched a significant expansion of its manufacturing facility near the Golden Triangle Regional Airport in Columbus, Mississippi.

This ambitious project will add 50,000 square feet of new space, renovate 40,000 square feet of the existing facility, and introduce advanced automation equipment, robotics, and non-destructive inspection technologies. mcas boeing enhancements will support the growing demand for Aurora’s aerospace systems business.

Since its establishment, Aurora Mississippi has specialized in the production of advanced composite components and assemblies for both military and commercial aircraft. The company first opened in 2005 at Mississippi State University’s Raspet Flight Research Laboratory in Starkville before relocating to its current site in Columbus two years later.

Initially occupying 21,000 square feet, the facility has since grown to encompass over 120,000 square feet, featuring cutting-edge manufacturing technologies such as automated fiber placement. Aurora’s latest expansion is a strategic investment aimed at increasing production capacity for composite components like boeing titanium used in executive jets and the MQ-25TM Stingray composite skins, a key project for its parent company, Boeing.

Additionally, the facility will produce components for NASA’s X-66 sustainable flight demonstrator aircraft, further diversifying its portfolio. Currently employing around 100 full-time staff in Mississippi, Aurora plans to hire more than 60 additional team members by the end of 2025.

Aurora’s expansion project underscores its commitment to Mississippi’s growing aerospace and advanced manufacturing sector. The company maintains strong partnerships with Mississippi State University (MSU) and East Mississippi Community College (EMCC), contributing to research, higher education, and workforce development in advanced manufacturing.

Additionally, Aurora actively supports local K-12 STEM education through summer camps and collaborates with high school vocational education programs. The expansion and renovation project will be carried out in phases over the next two years, with completion expected by 2026. This development marks a significant milestone in Aurora’s ongoing growth and its role in advancing aerospace manufacturing in Mississippi.