Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 10, 2020 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) has selected Tom Shih, an AIAA Fellow and Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Purdue University, as its new editor-in-chief for the AIAA Journal. He succeeds Professor Alexander Smits of Princeton University, who has served as editor-in-chief of the

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 9, 2020 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) mourns the passing of AIAA Honorary Fellow Peter B. Teets. He served as undersecretary and Acting Secretary of the Air Force, head of the National Reconnaissance Office, and president and chief operating officer of Lockheed Martin. He died

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 8, 2020 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) mourns the passing of Charles E. “Chuck” Yeager, a military test pilot who was the first person to break the sound barrier, on Monday, December 7. Yeager was a decorated U.S. Air Force pilot, having flown in World

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AIAA Brian Talbot  Senior Director, Strategic Marketing & Communications 703.980.4132 [email protected] NAE Brandon Green Communications/Media Specialist 202.334.2226 [email protected] Will Deliver October Address on “From Airbags to Wheels: The Evolution of GN&C for Entry, Descent, and Landing” September 11, 2020 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Register now to have access on Monday, 16 November November 12, 2020 – Reston, Va. – ASCEND is the first international space event specifically focused on how to expand the $4 billion space economy to an anticipated $1.5 trillion in the next two decades. ASCEND will bring together top scientists, engineers, economists, medical

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 5, 2020 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is pleased to announce the winners of the premier lectureships and technical excellence awards to be presented during ASCEND, AIAA’s space ecosystem event, which will be held online 16–18 November.  Register now for full access at the best available rate.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 4, 2020 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) mourns the passing of one of the foremost experts in rocket propulsion, George P. Sutton, on 15 October 2020, in Los Angeles. Sutton was an AIAA Fellow and past president of the American Rocket Society (ARS), one of

AIAA is pleased to announce that its Executive Nominating Committee has selected candidates for next year’s election of President-Elect…

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 13, 2020 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) applauds NASA and its international partners on the signing of the Artemis Accords agreement, which establishes important principles to help safeguard the civil use and exploration of the moon among nations that are participating in NASA’s future lunar

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 28, 2020 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is pleased to announce its Class of 2021 Associate Fellows. “I am extremely excited for and proud of each member of the Class of 2021 Associate Fellows,” said AIAA President Basil Hassan. “These individuals exemplify passion and dedication

September 17, 2020 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) announced the publication of “Ensuring Economically Viable Lunar Settlements,” a workshop proceedings report stemming from the space ecosystem event ASCEND. Using “NASA’s Plan for Sustained Lunar Exploration and Development” as a starting point, a panel of experts gathered at the

September 8, 2020 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) commends the release of Space Policy Directive 5 (SPD-5), which establishes key cybersecurity principles for cyber protection of space systems. AIAA commends the work of the National Space Council to highlight best practices for a whole-of-government approach to protect our space assets from

September 1, 2020 – Reston, Va. –The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Foundation has announced the 22 winners of its 2020 undergraduate scholarships and graduate awards. Through its Foundation and supported by nearly 30,000 members, AIAA awards academic scholarships and STEM educational grants to support the next generation of aerospace professionals. “Preparing the

Accelerating Innovation Through Diversity August 26, 2020 – Reston, Va. – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) announced that AIAA SciTech Forum, held 11–15 January 2021, will be fully online. The world’s largest event for aerospace research, development, and technology, AIAA SciTech Forum brings together more than 5,000 participants from around the

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Brian Talbot 703.264.7532 [email protected] Awards Honor Outstanding Section Programming in a Variety of Categories August 14, 2020 – Reston, Va. –The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) has announced its 2019–2020 section awards winners. The section awards honor particularly notable achievements made by member sections in a range of activities

First ASCENDxSummit To Be Held 19 August August 10, 2020 – Reston, Va. – Space science and technology will be the topic of the first in a series of summits hosted by ASCEND, a space ecosystem event from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. The ASCENDxSummits are multitrack, interdisciplinary half-day events focused on a broad theme.

July 15, 2020 – Reston, Va. – Aerospace leaders from government, industry and academia will discuss the industry’s emerging propulsion and energy technologies, challenges, and opportunities during the 2020 AIAA Propulsion and Energy Forum held virtually 24–26 August. The AIAA/IEEE Electric Aircraft Technologies Symposium (EATS) will be held 26–28 August, directly following the AIAA Propulsion and Energy

July 14, 2020 – Reston, Va. –The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), the largest technical society representing the aerospace industry, is concerned with the drastic changes to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program and H-1B visa policy. Such changes can potentially weaken an already struggling aerospace and defense (A&D) industry, potentially ceding hard-won

July 8, 2020 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and Blue Origin are pleased to announce the winner of their Design/Build/Launch (DBL) competition. Eleanor Sigrest, a rising senior enrolled in a dual program at Forest Park High School in Woodbridge, Virginia, and the Governor’s School at Innovation Park in

July 7, 2020 – 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 2020 AIAA Propulsion and Energy Forum, which will be held online 24–26 August 2020. “Technical advances are the foundation for the next aerospace innovation,” said Dan Dumbacher,

July 1, 2020 – Reston, Va. – The space ecosystem event ASCEND, held 16–18 November, will be fully online, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) announced. “ASCEND is a game changer in building the new space ecosystem and is unlike anything else out there,” said Rob Meyerson, ASCEND executive producer and former president

June 10, 2020 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) announced today that all scheduled 2020 events and forums will be held virtually. “After talking with speakers, sponsors, presenters, exhibitors, and attendees, it is clear that transforming all scheduled AIAA events to fully virtual ones through the end of 2020

NASA’s Bridenstine Among Notable Speakers at AIAA’s First Fully Virtual Forum June 3, 2020 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics is holding its first fully virtual forum, the 2020 AIAA AVIATION Forum, 15–19 June. “This year, more than most, the AIAA AVIATION Forum has a crucial role to play in advancing

June 1, 2020 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) mourns the loss of AIAA Honorary Fellow Arnold D. Aldrich, whose 35-year NASA career encompassed the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and Space Shuttle missions. Aldrich passed away on 28 May 2020 after a brief battle with cancer. He was 83. Aldrich served

Updated May 30, 2023* | Originally Published June 1, 2020 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is pleased to announce the 2020 Regional Student Conference winners. “AIAA gives students real-world experience to help start their aerospace careers,” said Dan Dumbacher, AIAA executive director. “I’m impressed by the student research topics.

May 30, 2020 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) celebrates the success of today’s history-making launch of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft from U.S. soil to the International Space Station. “Today’s success heralds a new era of space exploration, one that will redefine U.S. leadership in space,” said Dan Dumbacher,

Former Astronaut Sandy Magnus on 29 May; NASA’s Steve Jurczyk on 1 June May 26, 2020 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is hosting two free webinars—one moderated by former astronaut and AIAA’s own Sandy Magnus on Friday, 29 May, and another with NASA Associate Administrator Steve Jurczyk on Monday, 1

May 22, 2020 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) announced the election of four new trustees to its Board of Trustees and new leadership for the AIAA Foundation. “AIAA is grateful for the active volunteer leaders who help guide the Institute,” said Dan Dumbacher, AIAA executive director. “AIAA board members

AIAA is grateful for John Langford’s leadership as AIAA president during his 2018–2020 term, which ended this week.

May 19, 2020 – Reston, Va. – The new president of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), Basil Hassan, begins his 2020–2022 term this week. Hassan is director of the Chief Research Office at Sandia National Laboratories. “We are pleased to welcome Basil Hassan as AIAA’s new president,” said Dan Dumbacher, AIAA executive

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Michele McDonald 703.264.7542 [email protected] May 15, 2020 – Reston, Va. –The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) applauds NASA’s announcement of the Artemis Accords, a set of common principles created to govern the civil exploration and use of outer space. “The Artemis Accords will provide the framework needed to build

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Michele McDonald 703.264.7542 [email protected] May 14, 2020 – Reston, Va. –The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enable the two preeminent professional aerospace societies to collaborate on future endeavors. “AIAA looks forward to collaborating with

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Michele McDonald 703.264.7542 [email protected] May 13, 2020 – 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 2020 AIAA AVIATION Forum, which will be held online 15–19 June. The following aerospace professionals will be recognized for

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Michele McDonald 703.264.7542 [email protected] USC, Georgia Tech, UNLV take top prizes April 24, 2020 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) today announced the winners of the 24th annual AIAA/Textron Aviation/Raytheon Missile Systems Design/Build/Fly (DBF) Competition. Originally scheduled for 16–19 April in Wichita, Kansas, the Design/Build/Fly

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Michele McDonald 703.264.7542 [email protected] April 2, 2020 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), the world’s leading professional society dedicated to the advancement of the entire aerospace community, announced today that all of its events moving forward will offer attendees and industry partners the added benefit of

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Michele McDonald 703.264.7542 [email protected] March 27, 2020 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) applauds the passage of the $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act designed to help support workers, small businesses, and industries impacted by the pandemic. AIAA is grateful for the

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Michele McDonald 703.264.7542 [email protected] Honored for Efforts to Promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education March 25, 2020 – Reston, Va. – Three K–12 educators from across the United States have won the 2020 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Educator Achievement Awards, honoring their efforts to promote science, technology, engineering,

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Michele McDonald 703.264.7542 [email protected] Top Technology Students Also Awarded AIAA Membership March 6, 2020 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) congratulates the 2020 winners of Aviation Week Network’s “Tomorrow’s Technology Leaders: The 20 Twenties.” The students will be honored 12 March at the Aviation Week Network’s

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Michele McDonald 703.264.7542 [email protected] March 3, 2020 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) announced today the results of its 2020 election for the Council of Directors. The directors represent AIAA members in the Technical Activities Division (TAD), the Integration and Outreach Activities Division (IOD), and the

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Michele McDonald 703.264.7542 [email protected] Inaugural Event Held 16–18 November in Las Vegas, Nev. February 26, 2020 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is pleased to announce that NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, Lockheed Martin Corp. CEO Marillyn Hewson, and Venture Capitalist Steve Jurvetson have joined the notable roster

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Michele McDonald 703.264.7542 [email protected] February 14, 2020 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) congratulates the Louisville Regional Airport Authority as the 2020 winner of the Jay Hollingsworth Speas Airport Award for their area safety program. The Louisville Regional Airport Authority (LRAA) won the award “for seeking

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Michele McDonald 703.264.7542 [email protected] February 13, 2020 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) congratulates AIAA Fellow Darryll J. Pines on becoming the next president of the University of Maryland. Pines has been the dean of the university’s Clark School of Engineering at College Park since January

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Michele McDonald 703.264.7542 [email protected] February 12, 2020 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) congratulates the newly elected members of the prestigious National Academy of Engineering (NAE), nine of whom are AIAA members or award winners. “These newly elected NAE members are already well known to AIAA for

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Michele McDonald 703.264.7542 [email protected] February 10, 2020 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) mourns the passing of Jerry Grey, an AIAA Honorary Fellow and founding publisher of Aerospace America, the Institute’s flagship publication. Grey died on 4 February 2020 from complications of pneumonia at age 93.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Michele McDonald 703.264.7542 [email protected] February 6, 2020 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2020 Sustained Service Awards. “AIAA’s volunteers are the aerospace community’s greatest resource,” said Dan Dumbacher, AIAA executive director. “They lead by example, using their talent

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Michele McDonald 703.264.7542 [email protected] Three Honorary Fellows and 29 Fellows Selected February 3, 2020 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) has selected its Class of 2020 AIAA Fellows and Honorary Fellows. The induction ceremony for the new Fellows and Honorary Fellows will take place on 19

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Michele McDonald 703.264.7542 [email protected] Black-Tie Event Honors Aerospace’s Best and Brightest February 3, 2020 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) has announced the 2020 recipients of its most prestigious awards. Presentation of these premier awards and recognition of the Institute’s newly elected Fellows and Honorary Fellows

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Michele McDonald 703.264.7542 [email protected] January 24, 2020 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is pleased to announce the election of two new division chiefs. Daniel T. Jensen, Rolls-Royce Corporation, was elected by the regional directors to become chief of the Regional Engagement Activities Division (READ). Jeffrey W.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Michele McDonald 703.264.7542 [email protected] January 23, 2020 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is pleased to announce the 2020 International Student Conference winners. AIAA, in partnership with Lockheed Martin Corporation, sponsors the International Student Conference at AIAA SciTech Forum each year for student members at both

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Michele McDonald 703.264.7542 [email protected] January 9, 2020 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and Blue Origin have partnered to create Design/Build/Launch (DBL), a new competition designed to launch experimental payloads to study the effects of short-duration microgravity. AIAA and Blue Origin invite high school students to