SPACE reports that SpaceX just took a big step toward its next Starship test flight, firing up all 33 engines of the vehicle’s Super Heavy on the pad in Texas.
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Tag: aerospace engineering
Last Day to Save on AIAA AVIATION Forum 2026 Registration
FROM THE INSTITUTE
Join the aerospace community in San Diego for AIAA AVIATION Forum, set in a premier aviation center. The forum explores cutting-edge research and innovation, focusing on AI, autonomy, digital transformation, and AAM.
Embraer Reaches All-Time First-Quarter Revenue High in 2026
Aviation News Daily reports, “Embraer reported first-quarter revenues of US$1.4 billion in 2026, marking the highest first-quarter revenue in the company’s history. The strong performance reflects a 31% year-over-year increase, fueled primarily by growth in Defense & Security and Commercial Aviation activities.”
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Rocket Lab Enters Golden Dome Missile Defense Program with Raytheon
Aerotime reports, “Rocket Lab Corporation announced that, in partnership with Raytheon, it has been selected to demonstrate advanced capabilities for the United States Space Force’s Space Based Interceptor program, a central building block of the Trump administration’s Golden Dome missile defense architecture.”
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Take Advantage of Discount AIAA AVIATION Forum 2026 Registration Rates by 11 May
FROM THE INSTITUTE
AIAA AVIATION Forum explores the latest in aviation innovation, focusing on AI/autonomy, AAM, and hydrogen propulsion. It also covers fluid dynamics, applied aerodynamics, and electric aircraft technology, with nearly 1,000 technical sessions and 2,500 attendees from across the globe.
Northrop Flies XRQ-73 SHEPARD Hybrid Flying Wing for First Time
Aerospace Global News reports, “Yesterday, Northrop Grumman announced its XRQ-73 SHEPARD hybrid electric experimental drone has begun flight testing at Edwards Air Force Base in California. The aircraft conducted its maiden flight in April.”
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AIAA Announces Recipients of 2026 Roger W. Kahn Scholarship
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 7, 2026 – Reston, Va. – AIAA is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 Roger W. Kahn Scholarship. The four $10,000 awards go to the following high school seniors:
Aya Elamrani-Zerifi
From: Maryland
Attending in the Fall: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Vishal Manikanden
From: Virginia
Attending in the Fall: Princeton University
Aoqi Xu
From: Georgia
Attending in the Fall: Georgia Tech
Madison Nation
From: Colorado
Attending in the Fall: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Florida
Read their full profiles on the AIAA website.
The Roger W. Kahn Scholarship was created to honor the memory of Roger W. Kahn (1907–1962) and his passion for aviation and entertainment. Kahn spent the latter part of his career at Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation as a test pilot and then managed the technical service and sales division. In the 1940s, he was actively involved with the Institute of the Aeronautical Sciences (one of the predecessor organizations of AIAA) and later served as its vice president.
Kahn also was an accomplished jazz musician as early as the 1920s, composing songs often featured in stage productions and early films, as well as leading numerous orchestras. He became a recording artist for some of the first record labels including Victor, Brunswick, and Columbia.
Kahn left a legacy gift to AIAA – a song called “Crazy Rhythm” – that he wrote in 1928. AIAA used the proceeds of his trust to establish the scholarship in 2020. Since then, 16 students have received the scholarship to pursue university degrees in engineering.
“AIAA is thrilled to honor the memory of aviation pioneer Roger W. Kahn with such a powerful investment in the future of aerospace. The scholarship that bears his name will support four more bright minds driving the next technology breakthroughs. His enthusiasm for aviation nearly 100 years ago will remain relevant in the next 100 years of innovation,” commented AIAA CEO Clay Mowry.
Laura McGill, chair of the AIAA Foundation, added, “The AIAA Foundation is pleased to use part of Roger W. Kahn’s gift to identify, mentor, and promote promising young aerospace talent on their first steps from classroom to career. We can’t wait to see them shape the future of aerospace.”
Contact: Rebecca Gray, [email protected], 804-397-5270 cell
About AIAA
AIAA is the world’s largest aerospace technical society. With more than 33,000 individual members from 91 countries, and over 100 corporate members, AIAA brings together industry, academia, and government to advance engineering and science in aviation, space, and defense. Visit www.aiaa.org or follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and X.
Technical Rigor, Professionalism, and Enthusiasm on Display at AIAA Region II Student Conference
FROM THE INSTITUTE
The 2026 AIAA Region II Student Conference, brought together more than 330 attendees and featured 105 student presentations. The event provided a valuable forum for students to showcase their work in a professional setting, receive real-time feedback from experienced practitioners serving as judges, and build connections with peers and professionals across academia, industry, and government. AIAA Region II Director Emeritus Kurt Polzin noted that “the conference creates an environment where students can refine their ideas, strengthen their communication skills, and gain confidence presenting complex work to a broader audience.”
Human Judgment in the Age of Autonomous Warfare: Why Congress Must Keep Human Oversight in Military Decisions
FROM THE INSTITUTE
As we navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of modern warfare, artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a game changer. From analyzing intelligence and refining targeting processes to streamlining logistics and enhancing capabilities in autonomous platforms across various domains such as air, land, sea, and even space, AI is reshaping how we think about conflict. The potential advantages are significant: quicker decision-making, better situational awareness, and the ability to operate effectively even in chaotic environments.
ESA’s Space Rider Passes Critical Hurdles on Path to Spaceflight
SPACE reports, “Space Rider, a novel spacecraft concept from the European Space Agency (ESA), is advancing toward its first flight, with new milestones tackling two of the vehicle’s biggest challenges: surviving the heat of reentry and executing a precise landing back on Earth.”
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