FROM THE INSTITUTE
Jenna Eppink was recognized as the 2026 Engineer of the Year at AIAA SciTech Forum in January in Orlando. She received the award for her significant contributions to flow measurement and near-body flow physics. As part of NASA Langley’s Flow Physics and Control Branch, Eppink’s technical innovation is expanding NASA’s research capabilities and setting new standards in experimental aerodynamics.
Tag: aerospace engineering
Lockheed CEO Confirms RQ-170’s Role in Complex Maduro Operation
Defense One reports, “An extremely secretive Air Force spy drone was used in the U.S. military’s operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro this month, Lockheed Martin’s CEO confirmed, marking a rare disclosure of the aircraft’s operations.”
Full Story (Defense One)
Rocket Lab Launches South Korean Disaster-Monitoring Satellite After Delay
SPACE reports, “Rocket Lab launched a South Korean disaster-monitoring satellite from New Zealand on Thursday (Jan. 29), about six weeks later than originally planned. A 59-foot-tall (18-meter-tall) Electron rocket launched the ‘Bridging the Swarm’ mission from Rocket Lab’s New Zealand site on Thursday at 8:21 p.m. EST (0121 GMT and 2:21 p.m. local New Zealand time on Jan. 30).”
Full Story (SPACE)
Video
Rocket Lab launches the “Bridging the Swarm” mission from New Zealand. (Launch occurs at the 52:02 mark)
Space Affairs; YouTube
Hands-On Aerospace: Technical Committees Bring STEM to Middle School Classrooms
FROM THE INSTITUTE
During AIAA SciTech Forum, three AIAA technical committees, the Structural Dynamics TC, Structures TC, and Aerodynamics Measurement Technologies TC, along with representatives from Blue Origin’s Club for the Future partnered with Southwest Middle School in Orlando, for an off-site STEM outreach event.
Canada Weighs Split Fighter Fleet, US Concerned by F-35 cuts
Aerotime reports, “Canadian officials are weighing a mixed fighter fleet that could see Sweden’s Saab account for roughly half of the eventual replacement program by value, according to a National Post column by John Ivison published on January 28, 2026, citing unnamed sources.”
Full Story (Aerotime)
Northrop Sees Return to Growth in Space Business Following 2025 Decline
Via Satellite reports, “Northrop Grumman’s Space segment saw an 8% decline in sales in 2025, but the company is projecting a return to growth in 2026. Northrop Grumman reported full-year sales on Tuesday. Space Systems sales in 2025 were $10.8 billion, a decline of $960 million compared to 2024. The company attributed the decline to work winding down on a canceled classified space program and the Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) program, which was awarded to Lockheed Martin.”
Full Story (Via Satellite)
AIAA Strengthens International Engagement
FROM THE INSTITUTE
AIAA convened an international gathering on Monday at the Palace Asinaridi San Marzano, the headquarters of Italian satellite manufacturer Space Industries, to launch AIAA’s new representation for the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region. AIAA’s efforts in the EMEA region will be led by Davide Petrillo and Martina Bruno based in Turin.
NTSB Report Highlights FAA Oversight Gaps Behind D.C. Midair Collision
The New York Times reports, “The National Transportation Safety Board determined that the Federal Aviation Administration had approved dangerous flight routes that allowed an Army helicopter to fly into the path of a passenger jet over the Potomac River on Jan. 29, 2025, to calamitous results.”
Full Story (New York Times – Subscription Publication)
AIAA Strengthens International Engagement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Event in Turin, Italy, Launches Local Representation for EMEA
27 January 2026 – Turin, Italy – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) convened an international gathering on Monday at the Palace Asinari di San Marzano, the headquarters of Italian satellite manufacturer Space Industries, to launch AIAA’s new representation for the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region. AIAA’s efforts in the EMEA region will be led by Davide Petrillo and Martina Bruno based in Turin.
“As the world’s largest aerospace professional institute, AIAA is building deeper connections across the global aerospace community. This event highlights the value of transatlantic dialogue and shared technical expertise. Local engagement matters. Our presence in EMEA allows us to serve regional priorities and strengthen relationships that support aerospace supply chains and innovation across borders,” said AIAA CEO Clay Mowry.
The gathering, attended by representatives from government institutions and industry, included remarks from Giuseppe Santangelo, Chief Executive Officer of Space Industries. “We are proud to host AIAA at our headquarters, as this partnership aligns with the long-term vision of Space Industries. The space market is changing fast, with new commercial players and visionary companies relying on space data for business. We are pleased to collaborate with AIAA because our ambition goes beyond serial satellite manufacturing to support a connected, collaborative, and industrially mature commercial space ecosystem,” Santangelo said.
The program included a panel titled “Cross-Atlantic Synergies for Space Innovation in a Changing World.” The discussion examined how the space sector is rapidly evolving beyond its traditional boundaries and increasingly interacting with diverse non-space industries. Panelists included Luisella Giulicchi (European Space Agency), Clay Mowry (AIAA), Maria Antonietta Perino (Thales Alenia Space Italy), and Alessandra Vernile (Italian Space Agency). They highlighted the opportunities for cross-sector integration, as well as the challenges created by geopolitical shifts. The panel emphasized strong transatlantic collaboration as a foundation for building a resilient marketplace capable of accelerating innovation and ensuring long-term sustainable development in space.
AIAA welcomed new Corporate Members from the region. “We are proud to welcome Space Industries, GENERGO, and Kurs Orbital to the AIAA family. Their participation reflects the growing interest of European and international organizations in engaging with AIAA’s global network of researchers, engineers, innovators, and industry leaders,” Mowry added.
In addition, AIAA formalized two strategic collaborations by signing Memoranda of Understanding with WIA-Europe (Women in Aerospace Europe) and AIDAA (Associazione Italiana di Aeronautica e Astronautica). The agreements reinforce AIAA’s commitment to promoting international cooperation, supporting diversity in aerospace, and strengthening scientific and professional exchange between global communities.
Media Contacts:
Davide Petrillo, [email protected], + 39 348 5405622 Cell
Rebecca Gray, [email protected], 804-397-5270 Cell
About AIAA
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is the world’s largest aerospace technical society. With nearly 33,000 individual members from 91 countries, and 100 corporate members, AIAA brings together industry, academia, and government to advance engineering and science in aviation, space, and defense. For more information, visit www.aiaa.org or follow AIAA on LinkedIn, Instagram, X/Twitter, and Facebook.
Boeing Posts 57% Jump in Quarterly Sales as Deliveries Surge
Boeing’s aircraft deliveries have surged over the past year as the manufacturer expects to continue to increase production. CNBC reports, “The company’s airplane deliveries last year were the highest since 2018, helping drive revenue.”
Full Story (CNBC)