Flying Magazine reports, “A heavily modified Boeing 777-200ER formerly operated by Japan Air Lines will soon become NASA’s largest flying science laboratory. The retired commercial jet arrived at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Virginia on Wednesday following a check flight and three-hour transit from Waco, Texas, where L3Harris since January 2025 had been making structural modifications. It will replace the space agency’s retired Douglas DC-8, which flew its final science mission in 2024 after 37 years in service.”
Full Story (Flying Magazine)
Tag: aerospace engineering
25 Years of the International Space Station: Legacy, Science, and the Road Ahead
FROM THE INSTITUTE
In November 2025, the ISS marked 25 years of uninterrupted crewed operations – a record unmatched in human spaceflight. In January, a panel of experts at the AIAA SciTech Forum HUB stage discussed the station’s legacy and future of humanity in space, and underscored how the station’s engineering triumphs, international partnership, and scientific output have shaped today’s space agenda and will influence the transition to commercial platforms and deep space missions.
University of Alabama Selects D-Fend for Counter-Drone Protection
Unmanned Systems Technology reports, “The University of Alabama has named D-Fend Solutions as its counter-drone technology supplier to protect campus operations, critical research infrastructure, and major public gatherings. The university functions as a small city, covering 3.5 square miles with a population of nearly 50,000 students, faculty, and staff. During football season, the campus becomes one of the largest population centers in the state, with Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium hosting over 100,000 fans while surrounding areas draw an additional 70,000 tailgaters.”
Full Story (Unmanned Systems Technology)
Rocket Lab Launches Eight Japanese Satellites, Including Origami-Inspired Payload
SPACE reports, “Rocket Lab sent eight Japanese satellites to orbit from New Zealand on Wednesday night (April 22), including one with a unique “origami” construction. An Electron vehicle launched the “Kakuchin Rising” mission from Rocket Lab’s New Zealand site on Wednesday at 11:09 p.m. EDT (0309 GMT and 3:19 p.m. local New Zealand time on Thursday, April 23).”
Full Story (SPACE)
AIAA AVIATION Forum 2026 to Showcase Next Generation Flight Technologies
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 23, 2026 – Reston, Va. – AIAA announced its program for AIAA AVIATION Forum 2026, 8-12 June, Manchester Grand Hyatt, San Diego, Calif. This year’s theme, “From Velocity to Altitude – Accelerating Toward Tomorrow,” captures the acceleration of aviation technology.
“Next generation technologies are reshaping both the pace and direction of aerospace innovation,” said AIAA CEO Clay Mowry. “This event is mission essential for aviation professionals from industry, government, and academia – ensuring next generation air transportation systems are safe, efficient, and ready for what’s next.”
Educational, Interactive, Mission-Critical Program Planned
From the main stage, attendees will learn about the technologies redefining flight – AI in the cockpit, electric aircraft, hydrogen propulsion, and beyond. The speakers and panelists represent the leading aviation agencies, companies, and universities from around the world. One feature of the week is a live update from NASA Aeronautics on its vision and outlook for the years ahead.
Confirmed speakers include (in alphabetical order):
- Darcy Allison, Advanced Development Engineering Workflow Lead, Anduril Industries
- Phil Ansell, Associate Professor and Allen Ormsbee Faculty Scholar, Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Bimal Aponso, Chief Scientific and Technical Advisor for Dynamic Systems, Federal Aviation Administration
- Lori Arnett, Associate Director for Digital Transformation, Aerosciences and Evaluation Test Capabilities, NASA
- Luc Van Bavel, CTO/Co-Founder, Evio
- Andreas “Andy” Bernhard, Director, Structures, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
- Kevin Bowcutt, Senior Technical Fellow and Chief Scientist of Hypersonics, The Boeing Company
- Gaudy Bezos-O’Connor, Project Manager, Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration, Integrated Aviation Systems Program, NASA
- John Cavolowsky, Director, Transformative Aeronautics Concepts Program, Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, NASA
- Carlos Cesnik, Richard A. Auhll Department Chair and Francois-Xavier Bagnoud Professor of Aerospace Engineering, University of Michigan
- Joshua Deaton, Deputy Chief Scientist, Aerospace Systems Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory
- Marc Fischer, Senior Vice President Engineering – HO Cabin and Cargo Centre of Competence, Airbus
- Robert D. Gregg III, Chief Aerodynamicist, Boeing Commercial Airplanes
- Roberto I. Guerrero, USAF Operational Energy (Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Operational Energy, Safety and Occupational Health (SOH), Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Energy, Installations, and Environment)
- Tom Gunnarson, Lead of Regulatory Affairs, Wisk
- Kelley Hashemi, Associate Director, Transformative Aeronautics Concepts Program, NASA
- Scott Kaslusky, Vice President, Aerospace Technology, RTX
- David King, Chief Engineer, Vertical Aerospace
- Travis Klopfenstein, Innovation Program Manager, Collins Aerospace
- Parimal “PK” Kopardekar, Airspace Operations and Safety Program Acting Director, Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, NASA
- Ed Lovelace, CTO and VP Engineering, Ampaire
- Nateri Madavan, Advanced Air Vehicles Program Director, Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, NASA
- Dmitri Mavris, Distinguished Regent’s Professor, Georgia Institute of Technology
- Kate McMurtry, Integrated Aviation Systems Program Acting Director, Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, NASA
- Bjorn Nagel, Director, Institute of System Architectures in Aeronautics, DLR
- Ryan Naru, Aviation Policy and Regulatory Affairs Lead, Joby Aviation
- Tim Niznik, Director of Analytics, American Airlines
- Bob Pearce, Associate Administrator, Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, NASA
- Prajwal Prakasha, Group Lead-Aviation System Design and Assessment, DLR
- Amy Pritchett, Professor and Head of Aerospace Engineering, Pennsylvania State University
- Jeremy Roehm, Chief of Technology and Partnerships – US, Rolls-Royce
- OJ Sanchez, Vice President and General Manager, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works®
- Venke Sankaran, Chief Scientist of Aerospace Systems Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory
- Blake Scholl, Founder and CEO, Boom Supersonic
- Cleiton Diniz Pereira da Silva e Silva, Vice President of Technology and Advanced Projects, Embraer
- Adam Shepherd, Northrop Grumman Fellow–Digital Engineering, Northrop Grumman
- Jess Sponable, President and Chief Technology Officer, New Frontier Aerospace, Inc.
- JP Stewart, Senior Vice President of Product Development, Electra.aero
- Brandon Suarez, Vice President of UAS Integration, Reliable Robotics
- John Vassberg, Chief Design Officer, JetZero
- Graham Warwick, Executive Editor, Technology, Aviation Week
- Paige Stanton Wilson, Chief Development Officer, Acubed
AIAA forums are well known for the depth of technical content presented. The technical program features over 1,000 presentations spanning more than 20 research topics, covering fluid dynamics, applied aerodynamics, air transportation systems, thermophysics, multidisciplinary design optimization, and more.
A slate of hands-on technical courses workshops are scheduled, with expert instructors speaking on the timeliest aviation topics:
- Design of Electrified Propulsion Aircraft Course
- AIAA Drag Prediction and Aeroelastic Prediction Workshop
- 3rd AIAA Workshop on Multifidelity Methods for Design and Uncertainty Quantification
- Propeller Aerodynamics for Advanced Air Mobility: Fundamentals and Integration Effects Course
- Computational Aeroelasticity Course
- Hypersonic Aerothermodynamics Course
Attendees can participate in the Electric Propulsion and Advanced Technology Symposium (EPATS) Conference during the week. The EPATS keynote addresses, panel discussions, and technical sessions will focus on the continued technological development, design, evaluation, characterization, modeling, and integration of electrified aircraft components and systems.
Registration for the forum is open, with early-bird rates ending 11 May. Journalists can request a Press Pass online.
Media Contact: Rebecca Gray, [email protected], 804-397-5270 cell
About AIAA
AIAA is the world’s largest aerospace technical society. With nearly 30,000 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 X/Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
SGx 2026 Registration is Open
FROM THE INSTITUTE
The future of space leadership converges in Washington, D.C., 17–18 May. Join the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), in partnership with ASCEND and the Future Space Leaders Foundation (FSLF), for the 11th SGx conference—a fast-paced, high-access gathering where students, young professionals, and industry and government leaders shape what comes next for the global space sector. Secure your seat today!
Northrop Invests Big to Fast-Track B-21 Production
Breaking Defense reports, “Northrop Grumman will invest $2.5 billion of its own cash to accelerate production of the B-21 stealth bomber, with $200 million in investments slated to be executed this year, its chief executive said. The Air Force and Northrop in February finalized an agreement to increase the B-21 production rate by 25 percent, but CEO Kathy Warden’s comments on a financial earnings call today mark the first time the company has revealed what it plans to spend in order hit the ambitious goal.”
Full Story (Breaking Defense)
New Glenn Grounded as BE-3U Thrust Issue Comes Into Focus
Aviation Week reports, “Blue Origin says initial data suggests one of two BE-3U upper-stage engines did not deliver sufficient thrust to dispatch the AST SpaceMobile BlueBird 7 satellite to its intended orbit. The power issue occurred on the GS2 upper stage’s second burn, Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp said April 20. The issue has temporarily sidelined New Glenn as the company assesses what caused the malfunction.”
Full Story (Aviation Week)
U.S. Air Force Extends A-10 Warthog Service Life to 2030
Reuters reports, “The U.S. Air Force secretary extended the life of the A-10 ‘Warthog’ attack plane until 2030, sparing the aging but beloved close air support aircraft that has played an important role in Iran from an earlier retirement deadline of 2026.”
Full Story (Reuters – Subscription Publication)
New Glenn Mission Falls Short, Raising Questions for NASA’s Artemis Plans
The New York Times reports, “A rocket built by Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin space company appeared to launch perfectly on Sunday, its booster even landing successfully on a barge in the Atlantic Ocean. A few hours later, however, it became clear that all had not gone well. The massive New Glenn rocket had failed in its primary task: putting a commercial satellite into the proper orbit. This is a setback not only for Blue Origin, but also possibly NASA. Although the space agency played no role in Sunday’s mission, it is counting on Blue Origin to support the Artemis moon program.”
Full Story (New York Times – Subscription Publication)