17 July 2019 CBS News reports, “Fifty years after the Apollo 11 launch, NASA is setting its sights on a trip back to the moon. The goal is to return to the lunar surface by 2024, in a mission described as ‘Apollo on steroids’ – but some critics argue that’s unrealistic amid budget concerns and already-missed

17 July 2019 Reuters reports that “Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins returned to the launch pad Tuesday at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida where he flew to the moon 50 years ago along with the late Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. ‘Wonderful feeling to be back at launch pad 39A,’ Collins, the command module pilot

16 July 2019 Florida Today reports that “fifty years ago, a Saturn V rocket pierced the horizon above Florida’s Kennedy Space Center, vaulting NASA’s Apollo 11 mission to the moon and expanding humanity’s reach beyond the sky.” But “today, not only is the United States years away from a return to our crater-ridden neighbor, but

16 July 2019 USA Today reports that “fifty years ago, men were launched to the moon on a Saturn V rocket. Only three of this type of rocket still exist, and none has ever been to D.C. Until now.” Tuesday night, “Americans will have a chance to experience the Apollo 11 rocket launch and moon landing

Members of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics are sharing their experiences and memories of Apollo 11 on AIAA’s Engage platform. Some excerpts are below. Apollo sets the bar for technical, managerial, and societal achievement. It showed us that we could take on challenges with little or no idea how we would accomplish the goal,

15 July 2019 Space News reported that “the initial prototype of SpaceX’s next-generation reusable launch vehicle will make its first, albeit low-altitude, test flight early next week, Elon Musk announced July 12.” In a series of tweets, Musk “said the ‘Starhopper’ vehicle SpaceX is assembling at its test site near Brownsville, Texas, will make its first

15 July 2019 The Antelope Valley Press reports that the “NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center in California partnered with the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Antelope Valley chapter, to host an Apollo 50th anniversary event called ‘Small Steps to Giant Leaps’ on June 26 at Eastside High School.” The STEM-focused “family event featured Apollo-Soyuz astronaut Vance

11 July 2019 The Daily Mail reports that “the head of NASA has called on Australia to join forces with the US and take part in their venture to Mars.” NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine “said the Australian Space Agency…could play an essential role in developing technologies that astronauts would need to survive for years in space

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Michele McDonald 703.264.7542 [email protected] July 10, 2019 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is pleased to announce the winners of technical excellence awards to be presented during the 2019 AIAA Propulsion and Energy Forum. The awards will be presented during the Excellence in Aerospace Awards

9 July 2019 The Sidney Daily News reports that “the 2019 Celebration Committee will host the presentation ‘Neil Armstrong: Reluctantly Famous’ by James R. Hansen at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Wapakoneta Middle School, 400 W. Harrison St.” Hansen is the author of the New York Times bestseller “First Man: The Life of Neil A. Armstrong.” The Daily

10 July 2019 The New York Times reports Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic “announced plans to merge with a public shell company, a deal that would give the space tourism business its first stock listing.” The Times says “if the deal is completed, Virgin Galactic will be able to sell shares to raise money, a potentially crucial

9 July 2019 FlightGlobal reports that on June 28, the U.S. Navy “declared initial operational capability (IOC) for the Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopter.” According to the Navy, the IOC paves the way for the UAV to start fleet operations and training. With a design geared toward “intelligence, and surveillance and reconnaissance, as

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Michele McDonald 703.264.7542 [email protected] July 8, 2019 – Reston, Va. – Want to learn about the technology that allowed the Apollo program to succeed? From launch-vehicle design to reentry flight dynamics and more, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) has it covered with 50 Papers for 50 Years as

5 July 2019 CNN reports that NASA astronauts Christina Koch and Nick Hague “wished the country a happy Independence Day” via a video message sent from the ISS. Said Koch, “As we orbit our planet high above you, we want to take a moment and wish all Americans, at home and around the world, a

5 July 2019 Aviation Week reports that “FAA allowances to fly drones over people and beyond visual line of sight of their operators are considered key for commercial applications of small unmanned aircraft systems,” but the FAA is waiting on the development of UAV identification technology before moving forward with regulation. (Image Credit: Associated Press–©) Full Story

3 July 2019 Reuters reports that a Fourth of July event in Washington, D.C., tomorrow “will feature military bands and flyovers from the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels and Air Force One.” The “Salute to America” celebration “could also feature…a B-2 bomber, F-35 and F-22 fighter jets, and the Marine One helicopter that transports the president, the

3 July 2019 Aviation International News reports that UAV maker DJI on July 2 “unveiled a special ‘Government Edition’” UAV that has “architecture that ensures that drone data…never leave the drone and therefore can never be shared with unauthorized parties.” DJI Vice President Mario Rebello said, “This is DJI’s most secure drone solution to-date because it

2 July 2019 Aviation Week (subscription publication) reports that Honda Aircraft on June 27 “delivered its first two HondaJet Elite light jets to” Wing Spirit, “a newly established interisland charter operator, at an event at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu,” Hawaii. Wing Spirit “is exploring using the jets as air ambulances and for aviation education

2 July 2019 SPACE reports that NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) “has discovered a tiny planet,” L 98-59b, which is “the smallest one it has found to date.” A NASA statement said that the planet is roughly 10 percent smaller than the previously smallest planet found by TESS. (Image Credit: NASA) Full Story (SPACE)

1 July 2019 CNBC reported that “Alphabet’s drone company Wing is adding to its ranks as it prepares to expand its delivery service in the U.S. and beyond, according to job listings.” The company “aims to use its drone service to deliver items such as food, coffee and medicine within minutes.” Wing has also “said

1 July 2019 The New York Times reported on research into the development of hypersonic missiles. AIAA Associate Fellow Daniel Marren “runs one of the world’s fastest wind tunnels,” the Arnold Engineering Development Complex Wind Tunnel in White Oak, Maryland. During a tour of the facility with Center for Public Integrity Managing Editor for National Security

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: John Blacksten 703.264.7532 [email protected] June 28, 2019 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) applauds the appointment of Chris Scolese to the position of Director of the National Reconnaissance Office. “Chris Scolese’s unique combination of technical knowledge, military service, and management experience make him the ideal director for

28 June 2019 Reuters reports that an official at The Boeing Company said that the company will need to continue developing the software update for the 737 MAX into September, pushing the reintroduction of the aircraft back until at least October. The news comes after Boeing announced that the FAA had found an additional issue

28 June 2019 SPACE reports that on July 2, NASA “plans to prove out the Orion capsule’s launch-abort system, which is designed to get astronauts away from their rocket in the event of an emergency during launch.” The “critical component of NASA’s next crew-carrying spacecraft” will “liftoff…from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida during

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Michele McDonald 703.264.7542 [email protected] June 27, 2019 – Reston, Va. – This summer, students in grades 8–12 nationwide can meet astronauts and design an experiment that could be launched to the International Space Station next year through a partnership with the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and Higher Orbits to

27 June 2019 The AP reports that NASA is preparing to unseal “some of the pristine samples” of moon rocks collected from the Apollo missions. The samples, housed in a vault at a restricted lab in Johnson Space Center, will be made available to geologists to study “with 21st-century technology.” NASA Apollo sample curator Ryan Zeigler

27 June 2019 Unmanned Aerial Online reports that the North Dakota DOT has “received a four-year waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to routinely operate unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) over people.” Through its waiver, the state agency will “use a DJI Mavic 2 drone equipped with a ParaZero SafeAir parachute system.” The FAA “approved the

26 June 2019 CNET News reports that “NASA is partnering with Ohio STEM training nonprofit Battelle Education and California education technology company Future Engineers to run” a contest to name the Mars 2020 rover. The Name the Rover contest seeks contributions from U.S. “kids in kindergarten through 12th grade,” and it “will start accepting submissions this

26 June 2019 Bloomberg Government reports that the Boeing 737 MAX “could be flying again before the Federal Aviation Administration’s blue-ribbon panel or the Transportation Department’s inspector general complete their investigations of the certification that initially cleared the jet” to fly in the US. Both are two separate investigations from the assessment of the passenger jet’s

25 June 2019 SPACE reports that Roscosmos astronaut Oleg Kononenko, NASA astronaut Anne McClain, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut David Saint-Jacques “have returned to Earth after spending more than 200 days on board the International Space Station.” The three “landed aboard Russia’s Soyuz MS-11 spacecraft on Monday” after touching down “southeast of the town of [Zhezkazgan]

25 June 2019 CNET News reports that Chinese UAV manufacturer DJI “told a Senate subcommittee Monday…that it doesn’t collect or share any drone data, including flight logs, photos or videos, without the consent of its users.” The company has faced criticism “in response to what it called ‘incorrect claims’ that were made during a hearing

24 June 2019 The New York Times  reported that “in a measurement taken on Wednesday, NASA’s Curiosity rover discovered startlingly high amounts of methane in the Martian air.” A NASA spokesperson said, “To maintain scientific integrity, the project science team will continue to analyze the data before confirming results.” National Institute for Astrophysics scientist Marco Giuranna

24 June 2019 The Task & Purpose  reported that last Thursday, the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory at Kirtland AFB in New Mexico demonstrated a new “high-powered microwave weapon” that can “instantaneously down swarms of enemy drones.” In the demonstration, the Tactical High Power Microwave Operational Responder, or THOR, system, “disabled the unmanned aerial vehicle in

by Michele McDonald, AIAA Communications Manager AIAA AVIATION FORUM, Dallas, June 21, 2019 — Never again in aerospace will one crucial group driven by their passion for aeronautics have such influence on the direction of the space mission, historians James Hansen and Bill Barry told the “Apollo’s Legacy and Impact on Modern Flight” plenary audience. Barry,

21 June 2019 SPACE reports that SpaceX on June 19 test-fired its Falcon Heavy megarocket, as “after several hours of weather-related delays, the massive rocket roared to life, as smoke billowed from its engines during a preflight” static-fire test. The test ignition “is one of the last major milestones in launch preparations, ensuring that all systems

21 June 2019 Aviation Week reports that “NASA’s much-delayed X-57 Maxwell electric propulsion demonstrator program has taken a step forward” by beginning its “first ground runs…with electric motors and propellers installed.” The latest test of the X-57 involves “the Mod II configuration, in which 95-hp electric motors replace the P2006T’s two Rotax piston engines.” (Image Credit:

20 June 2019 USA Today  reports that as Uber “forges ahead with plans for a flying taxi service in 2023, other startups are [also] unveiling futuristic air mobility vehicles.” Massachusetts-based Alaka’i Technologies “showed an electric human-carrying drone last month that it claims can carry five passengers,” and American-Israeli startup Next Future Transportation “hopes its new

20 June 2019 Aviation Week reports that The Boeing Company “announced June 19 it will move its space and launch business unit’s headquarters from Virginia to Titusville, along the ‘revitalized’ Florida Space Coast.” Boeing Defense, Space and Security “is to relocate out of Arlington, Virginia, where it is currently headquartered next door to the Pentagon and

By Hannah Godofsky, AIAA Communications AIAA AVIATION FORUM, Dallas, June 19, 2019 — Engineers often think about product strategy in terms of specifications or capabilities, but Chris Emerson, president of Airbus Helicopters, said during the “The Reality of a Vertical Dream” session here that he believes the biggest driver of change for their product will be economics.

19 June 2019 Bloomberg reports that electric-plane company Eviation Aircraft “just signed up its first customer,” regional U.S. carrier Cape Air. Eviation’s “Alice” aircraft “is one of a host of electric models at the design stage, and its nine-passenger capacity and 650-mile range from a single charge could give it an edge in the commuter

19 June 2019 Reuters reports that “Siemens struck a deal to sell its in-house startup Siemens eAircraft to Rolls-Royce for an undisclosed sum, it said on Tuesday.” Siemens eAircraft specializes in electric and hybrid-electric propulsion systems, and it “has about 180 employees.” (Image: Siemens Magnus eFusion at Aero2016. Credit: Alec Wilson from Khon Kaen, Thailand |

by Ben Iannotta, Aerospace America Editor-in-Chief AIAA AVIATION FORUM, Dallas, June 18, 2019 — NASA will make technical progress in the years ahead by focusing on modeling and simulation, autonomous control, and additive manufacturing while continuing to emphasize wide-ranging collaboration, said NASA Associate Administrator Stephen Jurczyk today during the “NASA Aeronautics” session. He said these technologies are among

18 June 2019 The Wall Street Journal reports that FAA Acting Administrator Dan Elwell said at a panel discussion at the Paris Air Show that the FAA is preparing to ease noise restrictions to allow for the testing of new supersonic commercial aircraft. Elwell said that the FAA plans to allow supersonic jets to make

18 June 2019 Aviation Week reports that the “assembly of the X-59, the first purpose-designed piloted NASA aeronautics research X-plane since the X-31 nearly 30 years ago, is getting underway inside the cavernous Lockheed Martin Skunk Works facility in Palmdale, California.” In development of the experimental aircraft, “only the first few sections of aluminum wing

by Michele McDonald, AIAA Communications Manager AIAA AVIATION FORUM, Dallas, June 17, 2019 — Filmmaker Brian J. Terwilliger says he always takes the window seat when he flies. He told the audience at his plenary session “Living in the Age of Airplanes” that what he sees out the window is better than any screen entertainment. Unless, perhaps, it’s

17 June 2019 Aviation Week reports that following the closure of the Space Shuttle program in Florida, “the surrounding area took a huge hit to the employment base.” Although the shutdown’s “ill effects…were mostly felt in the Space Coast region, which encompasses Volusia, Brevard and Orange counties,” it “set in motion a strategy that focused on

17 June 2019 The AP reported that the global grounding of The Boeing Company’s 737 MAX fleet “and apprehension about the global economy hover over the aircraft industry as it prepares for [this] week’s Paris Air Show.” Furthermore, air cargo shipments have been falling this year, “and airlines have committed to buy so many planes that

14 June 2019 CBS News reports that the NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) has observed “a series of strange chevron symbols on a Martian sand dune in the southeast Hellas Planitia region.” The MRO High-Resolution Imaging Science Experiment “camera team at the University of Arizona highlighted the discovery Wednesday, though the image was acquired by the

14 June 2019 Air Force Times reports that “new designs will be required to fix some of the issues with the refueling boom and the remote vision system on the Air Force’s new KC-46 Pegasus tanker, and that could take years to fix, the Government Accountability Office said in a report released Wednesday.” The GAO

13 June 2019 The AP reports on Uber Eats’ test implementations using UAS to make deliveries in San Diego, California, as part of a partnership with McDonald’s aimed at reducing delivery times and cost. The system allows restaurant workers to load the UAS with a meal payload, after which “it takes off, tracked and guided by a