October 2025 in Review: Key Aircraft and Space Vehicle Engineering Standards (Part 1)

Looking back at October 2025, the Aircraft and Space Vehicle Engineering sector saw the release of several pivotal standards addressing eco-efficiency, electrical connector integrity, and unified terminology for liquid rocket propulsion systems. In this first part of our two-part recap, we examine five standards that offer fresh perspectives on sustainability in aircraft operations, interoperability and safety in aerospace connectors, and a significant vocabulary resource for the space propulsion community. If you're tasked with regulatory compliance, systems integration, sustainability benchmarking, or procurement in this sector, this comprehensive overview will help you identify key changes, trends, and actionable insights to ensure your practices stay aligned with the latest international requirements.

Monthly Overview: October 2025

October 2025 was a significant month for the Aircraft and Space Vehicle Engineering community. The month was marked by:

• A clear focus on eco-efficiency and sustainability, particularly in onboard catering equipment
• Important updates to connector and component product standards, crucial for safety and interoperability
• The introduction of a comprehensive vocabulary for liquid rocket engines—a resource set to harmonize international communication in space propulsion

Compared to previous periods, October 2025 saw the sector further embrace environmental benchmarks and system harmonization, responding to ongoing industry demand for sustainable aviation and space operations. Notably, the eco-efficiency theme is reinforced across multiple standards, indicating a sustained shift toward quantifiable environmental performance in onboard systems.

Standards Published This Month

EN 4855-01:2025 – Aerospace Series: ECO Efficiency of Catering Equipment - Part 01: General Conditions

Aerospace series - ECO efficiency of catering equipment - Part 01: General conditions

The EN 4855-01:2025 standard sets out the general test procedures and calculation methods to determine the eco-efficiency of an extensive range of aircraft catering equipment, including chilling units, ovens, beverage makers, trash compactors, and espresso machines. It introduces the calculation of both the Energy Consumption Index (ECI) and Performance Index (PI), providing measurable benchmarks for manufacturers and airlines striving to optimize equipment for both operational efficiency and environmental performance.

This standard is mandatory for airlines, galley and catering equipment manufacturers, quality and sustainability managers, as well as procurement teams evaluating new cabin products. By creating the first harmonized ECO efficiency framework for cabin equipment, EN 4855-01:2025 lays the foundation for consistent, comparable energy and performance assessments in the aircraft environment.

Significantly, this 2025 edition adds:

• Coverage for trash compactors and espresso makers,
• Accurate kerosene consumption calculations for energy benchmarking,
• Expanded applicability to chilling equipment without a freezing function,
• Clarified test and measurement protocols.

Key highlights:

• Defines calculation sheets and rating procedures for all primary types of galley equipment
• Aligns energy and performance benchmarking with reference mission profiles for commercial aircraft
• Provides updated definitions and harmonized parameters for industry-wide comparability

Access the full standard:View EN 4855-01:2025 on iTeh Standards

EN 4855-03:2025 – Aerospace Series: ECO Efficiency of Catering Equipment - Part 03: Chilling Equipment

Aerospace series - ECO efficiency of catering equipment - Part 03: Chilling equipment

EN 4855-03:2025 dives deeper into chilling equipment, establishing the test procedures, operating conditions, and calculation routines necessary to determine energy consumption and performance indices for galley chillers, refrigerators, beverage coolers, and related appliances. This revision expands its scope by including chillers without freeze mode, clarifying testing load requirements (now recommending only 30% of storage volume be filled to better represent realistic operating conditions), and providing revised calculation methods for kerosene consumption based on updated protocols from Part 01.

Operators, procurement officials, and equipment engineers rely on EN 4855-03:2025 to ensure that their chilling devices meet rigorous performance and eco-efficiency criteria. The standard is essential for design validation, regulatory compliance, and lifecycle impact reduction strategies in both passenger and cargo aircraft.

Key highlights:

• Applies to all galley chilling equipment, regardless of freeze capability
• Introduces realistic test loads and updated volume measurement protocols
• Synchronizes efficiency indices with unified methods from EN 4855-01

Access the full standard:View EN 4855-03:2025 on iTeh Standards

FprEN 3155-003 – Aerospace Series: Electrical Contacts Used in Elements of Connection - Part 003: Contacts, Electrical, Female, Type A, Crimp, Class S

Aerospace series - Electrical contacts used in elements of connection - Part 003: Contacts, electrical, female, type A, crimp, class S - Product standard

FprEN 3155-003 is a technically detailed product standard defining requirements for female, type A, crimp, class S electrical contacts used in aerospace connectors. Covering dimensional specifications, materials, required tests, cable compatibility, marking, tooling, and environmental tolerances, this standard ensures reliable mating, high system integrity, and long-life operation for electrical equipment under challenging aircraft conditions. It specifies compatibility with associated male contacts (EN 3155-008), and is vital for manufacturers of connectors, cable harnesses, avionics, and onboard control systems.

The 2025 revision enhances alignment with the latest system-level connector standards and modern aerospace material practices, directly supporting modularity and maintainability trends in aircraft and spacecraft electrical architectures.

Key highlights:

• Operates reliably in temperatures from -65°C to +200°C (class S)
• Mandates rigorous mechanical and electrical testing regimes
• Provides harmonized interface and installation parameters for interchangeability

Access the full standard:View FprEN 3155-003 on iTeh Standards

FprEN 3155-008 – Aerospace Series: Electrical Contacts Used in Elements of Connection - Part 008: Contacts, Electrical, Male, Type A, Crimp, Class S

Aerospace series - Electrical contacts used in elements of connection - Part 008: Contacts, electrical, male, type A, crimp, class S - Product standard

FprEN 3155-008 complements the previous standard by specifying the counterpart male, type A, crimp, class S electrical contacts for aerospace applications. As with the female version, it details critical performance characteristics, dimensional requirements, permitted cable types, specified tooling, surface treatments, and thermal ratings for connectors used in aircraft and space vehicle electrical systems. The focus on stringent contact tolerances and robust environmental performance supports high-reliability operations where electrical connectivity failures are not an option.

Target users include connector manufacturers, MRO specialists, and avionics engineers seeking to maintain best-in-class safety and consistency across international fleets.

Key highlights:

• Covers installation, inspection, and tooling recommendations for field and factory use
• Compatible with multiple contact families, ensuring interchangeability
• Endorses robust marking and identification schemes for error-resistant assembly

Access the full standard:View FprEN 3155-008 on iTeh Standards

ISO 17540:2025 – Space Systems: Liquid Rocket Engines and Test Stands – Vocabulary

Space systems - Liquid rocket engines and test stands - Vocabulary

ISO 17540:2025 delivers a thoroughly updated and expanded set of terms and definitions for all aspects of liquid rocket engine and test stand design, operations, testing, reliability assessment, and quality control. This second edition aligns terminology with state-of-the-art propulsion science, including definitions for modern engine cycles, reusability, nozzle types, and unique modes of operation across launch vehicles and spacecraft.

This vocabulary resource serves system designers, test engineers, mission planners, academic institutions, and anyone involved in the specification, documentation, or operational support of liquid propulsion systems. Its harmonized language improves clarity in technical communication and simplifies the integration of multinational project teams within the rapidly evolving commercial and governmental space sector.

Key highlights:

• Covers engine types by cycle, reusability, purpose, and operation
• Specifies components, testing procedures, reliability factors, and analysis frameworks
• Designed as a reference for all documentation and contracts across the space propulsion community

Access the full standard:View ISO 17540:2025 on iTeh Standards

Common Themes and Industry Trends

A clear pattern emerged across October 2025’s standards:

• Sustainability and Environmental Performance: The EN 4855 series signals the aviation sector’s growing emphasis on energy consumption, performance benchmarking, and the reduction of environmental impact in cabin operations—echoing industry-wide initiatives to lower aircraft emissions.
• Modular, Interoperable Component Design: The new electrical contact standards underpin the shift toward modular architectures, emphasizing easy maintenance and global supply chain flexibility.
• Harmonization and Clarity in Space Programs: The vocabulary update in ISO 17540:2025 addresses a long-standing need for consistent terminology, supporting global collaboration in space vehicle engineering.
• Lifecycle and Reliability Focus: Whether in catering equipment or connector specification, these standards reflect a common concern for operational longevity, accurate performance measurement, and system resilience.

Compliance and Implementation Considerations

Organizations impacted by these standards should consider the following steps:

1. Gap Analysis
   • Assess current catering equipment and connectors against the new ECO efficiency indices and technical performance benchmarks. Identify areas where legacy equipment or documentation falls short.
2. Supplier Engagement
   • Ensure that equipment suppliers and component manufacturers are certified to the latest standards, particularly EN 4855 for eco-efficiency and EN 3155 for connectors.
3. Internal Training
   • Update training programs for engineering and MRO staff to cover the revised test procedures, measurement techniques, and calculation protocols.
4. Documentation Revision
   • Adopt updated terminology from ISO 17540:2025 across internal and external technical documents to avoid ambiguity and foster cross-team alignment.
5. Timeline Considerations
   • Many of the newly published European standards require adoption as national standards by April 2026, with conflicting norms to be withdrawn. Plan transition and purchasing cycles accordingly.

Resources for Implementation:

• Full standard texts and guidance material available through iTeh Standards
• Industry webinars, manufacturer workshops, and trade association briefings
• Consulting services for sustainability benchmarking, connector compliance, and terminology integration

Conclusion: Key Takeaways from October 2025

October 2025’s standards publications in Aircraft and Space Vehicle Engineering reflect a maturing commitment to sustainability, system interoperability, and technical precision. In Part 1 of our roundup, we observed substantial evolution in:

• Eco-efficiency frameworks for galley equipment, providing robust metrics to drive airline procurement and operational environmental strategies
• Electrical contact specifications that empower safer, more maintainable, and globally compatible connectivity
• The harmonization of vocabulary for liquid rocket engines, strengthening international collaboration and knowledge sharing

For industry professionals: Staying up to date with these standards is not just about regulatory compliance—it is central to achieving operational excellence, cost-effectiveness, and leadership in a sector facing increasing environmental and interoperability demands. Early adopters will benefit from streamlined certification, enhanced safety, and reputational gains in sustainability and quality.

To ensure your organization remains competitive and compliant, explore these documents in detail and begin aligning your systems, procurement, and documentation with these latest requirements.

Continue to Part 2 for insights on additional October 2025 standards in Aircraft and Space Vehicle Engineering. Bookmark iTeh Standards as your trusted resource for up-to-date, expert-curated standards content.