Samantha Masunaga

Staff Writer

Samantha Masunaga covers aerospace for the Los Angeles Times. Since joining The Times in 2014, she has covered local and national breaking news, the craft beer industry and Southern California’s Japanese American community. Masunaga has previously worked for the Oregonian, the Orange County Register and the Rafu Shimpo, among other publications. A Southern California native, she is an alumna of the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism and UCLA.

Latest From This Author

Business

Before SpaceX launches astronauts, it has to ace this last big test

Business

Before SpaceX launches astronauts, it has to ace this last big test

SpaceX plans to test its in-flight abort system Saturday to prove its escape engines and parachutes could save astronauts’ lives in an emergency.
California

Tough questions for Delta after pilots dump jet fuel on schoolchildren

California

Tough questions for Delta after pilots dump jet fuel on schoolchildren

Delta says its pilots were forced to lighten their plane’s load prior to an emergency landing at LAX by dumping fuel over a populated area.
California

Pilots are supposed to dump jet fuel in unpopulated areas, not over neighborhoods

California

Pilots are supposed to dump jet fuel in unpopulated areas, not over neighborhoods

One aviation expert called fuel dumping very rare, saying, “I don’t remember anyone dumping fuel over population.”
Business

That rust on your shower head? It’s a $6-billion problem for the Navy, cruise ships and more

Business

That rust on your shower head? It’s a $6-billion problem for the Navy, cruise ships and more

There’s no way to fully eradicate corrosion. But there’s a whole industry devoted to managing it.
Business

Yum Brands is buying Habit Burger Grill for $375 million

Business

Yum Brands is buying Habit Burger Grill for $375 million

The parent of Taco Bell, KFC and Pizza Hut is venturing into fast-casual dining by acquiring Irvine-based Habit.
Business

Defense stocks jump after U.S. kills Iranian general

Business

Defense stocks jump after U.S. kills Iranian general

The broader stock market fell, but defense-sector stocks climbed after the U.S. killed Iran’s Gen. Qassem Suleimani and deployed thousands more soldiers to the Middle East.
Business

How the design of Boeing’s 737 Max cost CEO Muilenburg his job

Business

How the design of Boeing’s 737 Max cost CEO Muilenburg his job

Boeing’s 737 Max design was supposed to save money and help compete with Airbus. Instead, it created a crisis that killed hundreds of people, ate up billions of dollars and led to CEO Dennis Muilenburg’s ouster.

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Boeing discloses more ‘very disturbing’ messages about 737 Max
Business

Boeing’s Starliner puts itself in the wrong orbit, won’t reach space station

Business

Boeing’s Starliner puts itself in the wrong orbit, won’t reach space station

The Starliner capsule was thrown off course by a faulty timer, Boeing and NASA said. It is supposed to carry astronauts soon.

More Coverage

Building a rocket is hard. But building a parachute is boggling
Business

Building a rocket is hard. But building a parachute is boggling

Business

Building a rocket is hard. But building a parachute is boggling

Even SpaceX and Boeing, which have accomplished great engineering feats, are still grappling with the tech.
Business

Why so many gas pumps still have less-secure credit card readers

Business

Why so many gas pumps still have less-secure credit card readers

Most U.S. retailers switched to chip-card readers long ago. Now Visa is warning of fraud risks at gas pumps’ swipe-card readers.