FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Michele McDonald 703.264.7542 [email protected] AIAA Hails End to Arbitrary Budget Caps and Calls on Congress to Pass FY2020 Appropriations August 1, 2019 – Reston, Va. –The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) applauds the bipartisan vote in Congress to fund the government over Fiscal Years 2020 and 2021. AIAA Executive

1 August 2019 The AP reports that the Senate Appropriations Committee held a hearing Wednesday with FAA officials on the approvals process for the Boeing 737 MAX. FAA Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety Ali Bahrami “said an FAA flight standardization board, which included pilots, compared the [MAX] to older 737s and determined that the computer-based training

1 August 2019 NBC News reports that on Friday, Apollo 15 astronaut Al Worden “led a tour group along roads that offered views not only of alligators and eagles’ nests but also of the past, present and future of America’s space program” at Kennedy Space Center. Worden “recalled the hard work and isolation but also the

31 July 2019 The AP reports that on Tuesday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued “a security alert…for small planes, warning that modern flight systems are vulnerable to hacking if someone manages to gain physical access to the aircraft.” The alert “recommends that plane owners ensure they restrict unauthorized physical access to their aircraft until

31 July 2019 CNET News reports that NASA “appears to have wiped the August schedule” for The Boeing Company to “send its first Starliner to the International Space Station,” and instead “replaced it with a message that Boeing and SpaceX flight test dates for the Commercial Crew Program are now ‘under review.’” NASA said in

30 July 2019 Aviation Week reports that “Virgin Atlantic plans to end its Airbus A340 operations by the end of 2019, a spokeswoman told Aviation Daily July 29.” The four-engine aircraft “has been instrumental in creating the company’s long-haul network.” Virgin Atlantic will phase out its “six A340-600s in service…as the A350-1000 enters service.” (Image:

30 July 2019 Spaceflight Now reports that on Sunday, “the Russian Progress MS-12 supply ship and its Soyuz booster arrived at a launch pad…at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan” ahead of the planned launch “at 1210:46 GMT (8:10:46 a.m. EDT; 5:10:46 p.m. Baikonur time) Wednesday.” The automated supply carrier will deliver “more than 2,600 pounds (1.2

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Michele McDonald 703.264.7542 [email protected] July 29, 2019 – Reston, Va. –The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) mourns the passing of AIAA Fellow and Virginia Tech mechanical engineering professor Walter F. O’Brien Jr. on 25 July 2019. O’Brien, 82, joined AIAA in 1960 and became a Fellow in 2016. He

29 July 2019 The AP reported that the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Division of Aviation “has begun an online survey to gather comment about” UAS from state residents. According to Division of Aviation UAS Program Manager Basil Yap, the department seeks to incorporate public comments when formulating UAS policy. The online survey “asks for comments

29 July 2019 CBS News reported that “a SpaceX Dragon cargo ship caught up with the International Space Station on Saturday, bringing 5,000 pounds of equipment and supplies to the outpost including a new docking mechanism that will provide a second port for commercial crew ships being built by Boeing and SpaceX.” The uncrewed Dragon

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Michele McDonald 703.264.7542 [email protected] July 29, 2019 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) has announced its 2018–2019 Section Awards winners. The Section Awards honor particularly notable achievements made by member sections in a range of activities that help fulfill the Institute’s mission. Section awards are given

CONTACT: Michele McDonald 703.264.7542 [email protected] July 26, 2019 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics congratulates the AIAA members who won this year’s Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). AIAA Member Steven Brunton, University of Washington (nominated by Department of Defense) AIAA Associate Fellow Daniel Garmann, Air Force Research

26 July 2019 Reuters reports that on Thursday, the FAA “distanced itself…from suggestions by Boeing that its grounded 737 MAX could resume flying passengers in October.” FAA Acting Administrator Dan Elwell told reporters at the EAA AirVenture air show, “We don’t have a timeline. Don’t have October. Don’t have August. Don’t have 2021.” Elwell asserted, “We

25 July 2019 The Houston Chronicle reports that Apollo 11 “computress” Mary Ellen Shirley on Wednesday joined a group of visitors to Space Center Houston “celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 crew’s return to Earth.” At the event, Shirley “clapped along with a Beatles tribute band, while those around her danced and twirled tiny

24 July 2019 SPACE reports that “the 49 lbs. (22 kilograms) of moon rocks and lunar dust returned to Earth by the Apollo 11 mission provided a treasure trove of material that opened the door to insights about another world.” Researchers “have continued to glean new information from the ancient moon rocks” as techniques have grown

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Michele McDonald 703.264.7542 [email protected] AIAA President Congratulates Dr. Mark Esper July 23, 2019 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) congratulates Dr. Mark Esper on being confirmed as the 27th Secretary of Defense. AIAA President John Langford made the following statement upon Dr. Esper’s confirmation: “Secretary Esper

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Michele McDonald 703.264.7542 [email protected] July 23, 2019 – Reston, Va. – Known as the godfather of NASA’s Mission Control, Chris Kraft’s dedication to safety and exacting standards played a crucial role in the success of the U.S. space mission. He died on July 22, two days after the 50th anniversary of the

23 July 2019 Mashable reported that the Apollo Guidance Computer (AGC) contributed to NASA’s lunar landing 50 years ago despite having “less than 80 kilobytes of memory.” The AGC “was revolutionary for its time,” because “in the 1950s, when the prototype was conceived for a hypothetical mission to Mars, there weren’t many tech companies NASA

22 July 2019 SPACE reported that “the next SpaceX launch is just days away as the California-based rocket builder is targeting Wednesday, July 24, for the launch of its next robotic resupply mission to the” ISS. NASA officials “said that Dragon will also be carrying 2,500 lbs. (1,135 kilograms) of science gear, which will enable

22 July 2019 SPACE reported that NASA astronaut Drew Morgan, Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Skvortsov, and ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano launched Saturday “for the International Space Station, where they plan, in part, to contribute to research supporting the return of humans to the moon in the near future.” The Soyuz MS-13 crew’s liftoff occurred “50 years to

19 July 2019 SPACE reports that NASA “has finally released footage of researchers examining…lunar samples for signs of life” after the Apollo 11 mission in 1969. Chemists and biologists at NASA’s Ames Research Center “carefully analyzed samples of moon rocks and soil,” and they “worked in a specially designed clean room, using the most sophisticated

19 July 2019 Florida Today reports that Vice President Pence “is slated to visit Kennedy Space Center on Saturday, where he’ll commemorate the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11’s landing on the moon.” Pence “will speak at 1 p.m. about the legacy of Apollo and future of NASA’s Artemis program at the famous Neil Armstrong Operations

18 July 2019 Reuters reports that a study by Teal Group determined that the $4.9 billion commercial UAV market will grow to $14.3 billion over the next 10 years as the FAA allows the operation of more types of UAV flights. The study says Chinese UAV manufacturers account for about three-quarters of the commercial and consumer

18 July 2019 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that July 20 “marks the 50-year anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission that saw three astronauts, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins travel to where no man had gone before.” Apart from the “obvious reason the historic Apollo 11 mission was so important, there are other reasons the

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