FROM THE INSTITUTE
This March 16th will mark the 100th anniversary of Dr. Robert Goddard’s historic first flight of a liquid propulsion rocket, back in 1926. That flight is rocketry’s closest equivalent of the Wright Brothers’ first flight of an airplane at Kitty Hawk in 1903. And just like the similarly historic Kitty Hawk flight, Goddard’s pioneering first liquid propulsion flight opened the way to a world-changing future that all of humankind benefits from today.
Author: Lawrence Garrett
AIAA SciTech Forum 2026 Event Recap Published
This report provides a comprehensive look back at this year’s forum, from attendee demographics and the technical program to the Expo Hall and the HUB. Explore media highlights, digital engagement, and other key moments.
Honda Positions Hybrid eVTOL as New Path for Urban Air Mobility
AirInsight reports, “After four years in ‘stealth mode,’ Honda revealed at the Dubai Airshow 2025 that its hybrid eVTOL program is far more advanced than anyone outside the company knew, with over 400 flight tests already completed.”
Full Story (AirInsight)
Video
Honda’s first full-scale hybrid eVTOL prototype
AIN; YouTube; Framegrab
Call for Technical Experts for Standards
FROM THE INSTITUTE
AIAA is now the Committee Manager and US TAG for ISO TC20/SC 16 Uncrewed Aircraft System which leads international standardization in the field of advanced air mobility and uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS). The committee is looking for technical experts to support its work in developing International Standards to provide a framework and guidance for government, public and private stakeholders involved in the safe and effective design, procurement, deployment and operation of Counter UAS equipment intended to be deployed in all fixed, mobile and transportable civilian environments. Experts in the field of cybersecurity aspects specific to UAS are also encouraged to particiate.
U.S. Lawmakers Move to Keep ISS Operational Through 2032
SPACE reports that Congress is pushing to extend the International Space Station’s life by two years, to give commercial outposts more time to step into its shoes.
Full Story (SPACE)
DARPA’s Sprint Program Advances as Bell’s Stop-Fold Tiltrotor Becomes X-76
Aviation Week reports, “The stop-fold tiltrotor uncrewed aircraft under development by Bell for a DARPA project to fly a high-speed vertical-takeoff-and-landing (VTOL) demonstrator has been designated the X-76. Under Phase 2 of DARPA’s Speed and Runway Independent Technologies (Sprint) project, Bell has completed the critical design review (CDR) and moved into manufacturing of the demonstrator.”
Full Story (Aviation Week)
Aerospace Momentum Builds in the Carolinas: AIAA Symposium Showcases Regional Innovation
FROM THE INSTITUTE
UNC Charlotte hosted the 2026 AIAA Carolina Aerospace Symposium on February 21st at the Energy Production and Infrastructure Center (EPIC), bringing together more than 80 participants from across North and South Carolina. Organized and promoted by the AIAA Carolina Section, the event highlighted the region’s growing strength in aerospace research, education, and industry collaboration.
The R&D Decisions that Will Shape the Success of Golden Dome
FROM THE INSTITUTE
Golden Dome for America represents one of the most intricate homeland defense initiatives the Pentagon has contemplated since the conclusion of the Cold War. Public discussions have understandably centered on the effectiveness of space-based sensors, space-based interceptors (SBIs), or layered terrestrial systems in defending against evolving missile threats. However, a possibly more pressing concern at this juncture is the necessity to articulate the applied research and development (R&D) strategy and approach.
NASA Taps ULA’s Centaur V to Power Future SLS Upper Stage
Spaceflight Now reports, “NASA officially selected United Launch Alliance’s Centaur 5 as the upper stage for its Space Launch System rocket starting with the Artemis 4 mission, scheduled to launch no earlier than early 2028. The Centaur 5 was developed as the upper stage of ULA’s Vulcan rocket. The launch vehicle flew four times since its debut in January 2024 and the upper stage performed well across all flights.”
Full Story (Spaceflight Now)
Autonomous C-130J Program Reaches Design Review Milestone
Flying Magazine reports, “The U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) is one step closer to flying the C-130J Super Hercules—one of its workhorse tactical airlift and transport aircraft—with zero human input. Boston-based Merlin Labs on Thursday announced the completion of preliminary design review (PDR) for its C-130J Super Hercules autonomy program with USSOCOM, under which it is working toward demonstration flights with a modified Hercules.”
Full Story (Flying Magazine)