// ORBITAL LOGISTICS AND PROPULSION TERM
Avionics
Electronic systems used in aircraft and spacecraft for navigation, communication, and flight control.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
Avionics refers to the electronic systems and components, including navigation, communication, flight control, and display systems, essential for the operation and mission execution of aerospace vehicles like aircraft, satellites, and rockets.
BACKGROUND
As of July 24, 2026, the SpaceX Starship has been launched 13 times, with 8 successes and 5 failures. SpaceX has developed Starship with the intention of lowering launch costs using economies of scale. It aims to achieve this by reusing both rocket stages, increasing payload mass to orbit, increasing launch frequency, creating a mass-manufacturing pipeline and adapting it to a wide range of space missions. Starship is the latest project in SpaceX's reusable launch system development program and plan to colonize Mars, and is one of two landing systems selected by NASA for the Artemis program's crewed Lunar missions.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Aircraft electronics
- Aerospace electronics
- Flight systems
- Nav-com systems
USAGE NOTE
Modern aircraft heavily rely on integrated avionics suites for autonomous flight and pilot assistance.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Avionics.
Honeywell Aerospace is a leading global supplier of avionics, providing integrated flight systems, navigation, communication, surveillance, and flight control systems for a wide range of commercial, military, and space applications.
A business unit of Raytheon Technologies, Collins Aerospace is a major developer and producer of advanced avionics systems, including integrated avionics, flight decks, communications, navigation, and surveillance systems for commercial, military, and business aircraft, as well as space platforms.
Thales is a global technology leader providing avionics solutions for civil and military aviation, including flight management systems, communication and navigation systems, surveillance radars, and integrated modular avionics (IMA) architectures.
BAE Systems develops advanced avionics for military aircraft and space applications, focusing on flight controls, mission computing, helmet-mounted displays, electronic warfare systems, and vehicle management systems.
Northrop Grumman is a major defense and aerospace company that designs, develops, and integrates critical avionics systems for spacecraft, aircraft, and unmanned systems, covering flight control, navigation, communications, and mission processing.
As part of the Airbus Group, this division develops and manufactures avionics for launch vehicles (e.g., Ariane), satellites, and space exploration missions, encompassing flight computers, data handling units, and navigation systems.
SpaceX designs and manufactures its own sophisticated avionics systems, including flight computers, guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) systems, and communication equipment for its Falcon launch vehicles and Starship spacecraft.
Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that integrates and develops advanced avionics for a wide range of platforms, including fighter jets, transport aircraft, satellites, and spacecraft for various government and commercial programs.