FROM THE INSTITUTE
A growing number of states are taking proactive steps to marshal their public and private sectors and academia to grow the commercial space industry, offering…
Author: Lawrence Garrett
India’s Space Ambitions Take Center Stage at ASCEND as ISRO Wins AIAA’s Highest Honor
FROM THE INSTITUTE
At ASCEND in May, AIAA saluted India’s space agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), with its highest honor, the Goddard Astronautics Award…
Volatus Aerospace Clears Key Milestone in U.S. Drone Dominance Initiative
Unmanned Systems Technology reports, “Volatus Aerospace Inc. has been selected to advance to the next phase of evaluation under Phase II of the U.S. Drone Dominance Program.”
Full Story (Unmanned Systems Technology)
Blue Origin Investigates New Glenn Explosion as Mission Delays Loom
Via Satellite reports, “Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket faces a major setback after an explosion on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral on Thursday evening. This explosion will likely impact timelines for the rocket’s customers Amazon Leo, AST SpaceMobile, NASA, and its national security certification for the U.S. Space Force.”
Full Story (Via Satellite)
Building a Lunar Digital Engineering Community with LUNAverse
FROM THE INSTITUTE
Simulating activity on the lunar surface is essential as the United States pursues its plan to return to the moon to stay. But it’s not just craters and…
FAA Administrator Outlines Path to 777X Certification in 2027
Aviation Week reports, “FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford believes the Boeing 737 MAX will be certified by year’s end and suggested the 777X will follow, in 2027.”
Full Story (Aviation Week)
New Glenn Rocket Destroyed in Fiery Prelaunch Test at Cape Canaveral
The New York Times reports a Blue Origin rocket exploded during a ground test at a Florida launch facility Thursday evening. The incident occurred around 9 p.m. as the company was conducting prelaunch testing ahead of a future mission.
Full Story (New York Times – Subscription Publication)
How to Accelerate the Space Industrial Base – And What Adversaries Can Teach Us
FROM THE INSTITUTE
A lively panel of leaders in the space industry took on the question of how the United States can keep its edge in space with competitors nipping at our heels. In fact, argued one panelist provocatively, we might actually want to take a few notes from adversaries.
Inaugural Global Leaders Space Exploration Forum Delivers Candid Conversations During ASCEND 2026
FROM THE INSTITUTE
AIAA hosted space leaders for the inaugural Global Leaders Space Exploration Forum to advance the technical, operational, and policy dialogue needed to ensure that humanity’s expanding presence in space is prosperous, safe, and sustainable. The gathering reflected a shared recognition that the window to establish durable frameworks for interoperability, safety, and long-term sustainability in LEO and the cislunar domain is open now.
Students Shared Research and Explored Aerospace Innovation at AIAA Region IV Student Conference
FROM THE INSTITUTE
The Department of Mechanical Engineering in the George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing at Rice University hosted the 2026 AIAA Region IV Student Conference, 27–29 March. More than 200 high school, undergraduate, and graduate students from Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Texas, and Mexico to present original research, exchange ideas, and connect with peers and professionals in aerospace.