Tag: aerospace engineering
Durand Lecture Highlights 30-Year Journey Deploying Autonomous Drones to Understand Tornadoes
As a child growing up in Oklahoma, Brian Argrow had two passions: meteorology and aerospace engineering. He never imagined one day he would combine both interests — deploying tornado-chasing drones that showed how tornadoes form, key to increasing warning times. On Monday, Argrow, Distinguished Professor of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder, delivered the 2026 Durand Lecture for Public Service.
Quantum Cameras Poised to Transform Space-Based Intelligence
Defense One reports, “Can quantum physics enable better, cheaper, faster satellite photos? In a month or two, a startup will test a ‘quantum camera’ for space-based imaging. If it works, it could slash the cost of missile defenses and give smaller NATO allies and partners spy-satellite capabilities that were once exclusive to major powers. Funded in part by NASA and DARPA, the Boston-based Diffraqtion is testing a radically different way to make images from photons.”
Full Story (Defense One)
Electric Air Taxis Inch Closer to City Skies After Landmark FAA Move
NASA Cuts ISS Crew Mission Short Over Astronaut Health Concern in Unprecedented Move
Industry Innovation: Art and Design Meet in Space
Experts explored how storytelling, entertainment‑industry practices, and other more artistic careers can influence engineering, and vice versa. Danica Vallone, Board Member and Founder, Organization for Space Medicine, Engineering, and Design; Ted Southern, Softgoods Division Manager for Paragon Space Development; and Brook Willard, Vice President of Development, Making Space Agency, took the stage to describe how science and art can inform each other.
Peggy Whitson Opens AIAA SciTech Forum, Celebrating ISS Era and the Transition to Commercial Space Stations
Astronaut and Axiom Space’s Director of Human Spaceflight Peggy Whitson opened AIAA SciTech Forum 2026 in Orlando with an inspirational message about the future of space as the International Space Station (ISS), in orbit for 25 years, transitions to commercially run stations by 2030.
Boeing’s Deliveries Hit Seven-year High as Production Recovery Accelerates
NASA Readies Artemis 2 Rocket for Rollout Ahead of Historic Crewed Lunar Mission
SPACE reports, “NASA said Friday that it plans to return the Crew 11 to Earth next week, just one day after announcing that a crew member had suffered a medical issue that would require the crew to shorten its trip to the International Space Station. According to NASA, Crew 11 is targeting a departure from the space station aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour capsule ‘no earlier’ than 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Jan. 14, with a splash down off the coast of California at about 3:40 a.m. Eastern Time on Jan. 15.”
Full Story (CBS News)
Celebrating 30 Years of the AIAA Foundation
FROM THE INSTITUTE
For three decades, the AIAA Foundation has promoted aerospace education, recognized excellence, and inspired future aerospace professionals. “The AIAA Foundation has been a powerful force in helping countless students and educators discover the wonder of aerospace,” remarked AIAA President Dan Hastings. As we celebrate the Foundation’s 30th anniversary, we recognize that strong support by AIAA members has enabled the Foundation to achieve significant impact. We invite you to explore our Silent Auction in the HUB at AIAA SciTech Forum to continue your support. Bids must be in by 10 am on Thursday.
