Unmanned Systems Technology reports, “Sikorsky and Rain have successfully demonstrated how an autonomous Black Hawk helicopter can be commanded to take off, identify the location and size of a small fire, and then accurately drop water to suppress the flames. Carried out on October 29 at Sikorsky headquarters in Stratford, the Rapid Wildfire Response Demonstration showed the effective fusion of Sikorsky’s MATRIX flight autonomy with Rain’s wildfire mission autonomy system to suppress a fire in its incipient stage using this innovative firefighting UAV.”
Full Story (Unmanned Systems Technology)
Tag: Aerospace
NASA’s Europa Clipper Mission Performing Well
Aviation Week reports, “The largest spacecraft ever launched on a planetary mission, NASA’s Europa Clipper is doing well and speeding along toward the first of two gravity assists intended to achieve a 2030 arrival at Jupiter, a NASA update says.”
Full Story (Aviation Week)
U.S. Army Receives First Bombardier Global 6500 for its HADES Program
Aviation International News reports, “Bombardier Defense is celebrating the delivery of the first Global 6500 to the U.S. Army for the High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) aerial military intelligence program. … This aircraft is the first prototype airframe for the HADES program and is ‘the beginning of the next stage of the program to integrate systems,’ according to Bombardier.”
Full Story (Aviation International News)
AIAA Career Center is Where Aerospace Jobs Are Found
AIAA News
Search through thousands of open positions, refine searches using filters, post your resume to be viewed by leading aerospace employers, and sign up for alerts for specific searches.
Blue Origin Launches Third Crewed New Shepard Mission of 2024
Via Satellite reports, “Blue Origin flew a crew to the edge of space on the New Shepard rocket on Friday in its ninth human spaceflight mission. The civilian astronaut crew included TV host and space communicator Emily Calandrelli, known for Netflix and Youtube science shows. During the 10-minute mission, the New Shepard rocket launched from Blue Origin’s Launch Site One in West Texas. The crew capsule separated successfully from the booster, giving the crew a few minutes of weightlessness.”
Full Story (Via Satellite)
More Info (AIAA Statement)
Video
Blue Origin NS-28 Crew Launch, Friday, November 22, 2024. (Launch at 0:39:02 mark)
(The Launch Pad; YouTube)
Rotor Demos World’s Largest Crop-Spraying Drone During Ag Aviation Expo
Flying Magazine reports, “Manufacturer Rotor Technologies this week flew its R550 Sprayhawk—which it calls the largest spray drone in the world—at Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport (KAFW) during the National Agricultural Aviation Association’s (NAAA) Ag Aviation Expo in Fort Worth, Texas. FLYING was on the scene to capture the remotely piloted demonstration, part of the launch of the 2025 model Sprayhawk.”
Full Story (Flying Magazine)
Video
Rotor Technologies’ Sprayhawk
(Farms.com; YouTube)
SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches from Cape Canaveral with 24 Starlink Satellites
Spaceflight Now reports, “SpaceX completed its fourth Falcon 9 rocket launch since Sunday with a mission carrying the company’s latest batch of Starlink internet satellites. Liftoff of the Starlink 6-66 mission pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station happened at 11:07 a.m. EST (1607 UTC) on Thursday. Space Force meteorologists gave the rocket a 90 percent chance of good weather ahead of launch, with liftoff winds being the only concern at the launch site.”
Full Story (Spaceflight Now)
Video
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches 24 Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral, November 21, 2024. (Launch at 1:00:03 mark)
(Spaceflight Now; YouTube)
Boeing to Build 15 Additional KC-46A Tankers for U.S. Air Force
Reuters reports, “Boeing said on Thursday it has secured a $2.38 billion contract from the U.S. Air Force to build 15 additional KC-46A Pegasus aerial refueling tankers under the Lot 11 procurement. Boeing now has 168 KC-46A tankers on contract globally. Since 2019, Boeing has delivered 89 KC-46As to the U.S. Air Force and four to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.”
Full Story (Reuters)
AIAA Statement on Blue Origin’s Successful NS-28 Mission
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 22, 2024 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) issued the following statement from AIAA CEO Clay Mowry:
“On behalf of the 30,000 professional and student members of AIAA, we congratulate Blue Origin on its successful NS-28 mission. The New Shepard program embodies the promises of space for the benefit of Earth. Reusability is the future of launch. With its emphasis on reusability and sustainability, Blue Origin is leading the charge in reducing the cost of access to space while enabling the growth of a vibrant space economy.
Congratulations to the NS-28 crew – Emily, Sharon, Marc, Austin, J.D., and Hank – on their remarkable journey beyond the Kármán line today. It’s exciting to witness Marc’s and Sharon’s second spaceflight and see how Sharon is impacting the next generation of explorers through her work with SpaceKids Global.
We’re especially proud to celebrate Emily Calandrelli, also known as The Space Gal, on her transformative experience onboard New Shepard. Emily’s leadership as a Space4All Champion, inspiring young women and girls to explore STEM fields, has reached new heights as she becomes the 100th women to go to space. Her flight serves as a testament to the growing accessibility of space exploration and will undoubtedly inspire countless individuals to see themselves in space careers.
AIAA proudly supports the Space4Allnational space STEM awareness initiative, which is committed to promoting the vast benefits and limitless opportunities associated with space exploration and development for students and jobseekers everywhere who may otherwise believe that a future in space and STEM is unattainable for them. Through education, advocacy, and outreach, Space4All seeks to unlock opportunities for students, educators, and job seekers to contribute to humanity’s space-faring future. In its first year, Space4All has already reached more than 12 million people.
We applaud AIAA Corporate Member Blue Origin for shaping the future of aerospace.”
Media Contact: 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 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 aiaa.org, and follow AIAA on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X/Twitter.
AIAA to Honor Aerospace Award Winners at the 2025 AIAA SciTech Forum
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 22, 2024 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) will bestow awards to over 20 aerospace innovators who made an impact on the industry over the past year during the 2025 AIAA SciTech Forum, 6–10 January 2025, Orlando, Fla. The awards will be presented during the forum at a special Awards Recognition Ceremony, 6 January, 5:30 p.m. Forum registration is available now. Journalists can request a Press Pass here.
“Congratulations to this year’s award winners! These exceptional individuals are highly regarded and have been chosen by their peers. They have not only advanced aeronautics and astronautics, but are also inspiring the next generation of professionals,” said AIAA CEO Clay Mowry. “We are immensely grateful for their contributions. They are truly shaping the future of aerospace.”
For more information about the AIAA Honors and Awards program, contact Patricia A. Carr at [email protected].
GRADUATE AWARDS
2024 Abe M. Zarem Graduate Award for Distinguished Achievement in Astronautics
This award was established by AIAA Honorary Fellow Abe Zarem, founder and managing director of Frontier Associates, to annually recognize graduate students in aeronautics and astronautics who have demonstrated outstanding scholarship in their field.
Mohammed Abir Mahdi
Oklahoma State University
Shafi Al Salman Romeo
Oklahoma State University
For their paper “Convolutional Neural Network and Homogenization based Hybrid Approach for Lattice Structures”
Advisor: Zhao Wei, Oklahoma State University
LITERARY AWARDS
2025 AIAA Gardner-Lasser Aerospace History Literature Award
The award is presented for the best original contribution to the field of aeronautical or astronautical non-fiction literature published in the last five years dealing with the science, technology, and/or impact of aeronautics or astronautics on society.
Michael W. Hankins
Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum
Flying Camelot: The F-15, the F-16, and the Weaponization of Fighter Pilot Nostalgia
2025 AIAA Pendray Aerospace Literature Award
The award is presented for an outstanding contribution or contributions to aeronautical and astronautical literature in the relatively recent past.
Joseph M. Powers
University of Notre Dame
Mechanics of Fluids
SERVICE AWARD
2025 AIAA Mary W. Jackson Diversity and Inclusion Award
This award recognizes an individual or group within AIAA who has devoted time and effort and made significant contributions to the advancement of diversity and inclusion within the Institute.
Karen A. Thole
University of Michigan
For her sustained significant contributions to raise awareness on the value of diversity and inclusion in the aerospace workforce at large, an AIAA core value.
TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS
2024 AIAA–ASEE J. Leland Atwood Award
This award is bestowed upon an outstanding aerospace engineering educator in recognition of the educator’s contributions to the profession. This award is co-sponsored by the ASEE Aerospace Division and AIAA.
Stephen D. Heister
Purdue University
For his transformative impact on the aerospace industry in revitalizing Maurice J. Zucrow Laboratory, and mentoring leaders currently developing advanced rocket and airbreathing propulsion systems.
2025 AIAA–ASC James H. Starnes Jr. Award
This award is presented to recognize continued significant contribution to and demonstrated promotion of the field of structural mechanics over an extended period of time emphasizing practical solutions, to acknowledge high professionalism, and to acknowledge the strong mentoring of and influence on colleagues.
Paul M. Weaver
University of Limerick, Ireland
University of Bristol, United Kingdom
For his outstanding contribution in the field of composite structures and his supportive and inspirational mentoring of young academics and professionals.
2025 AIAA Hypersonic Systems and Technologies Award
This award is presented to recognize outstanding sustained contributions and achievements in enabling technologies and/or the integration of technologies for system applications in the advancement of hypersonic flight.
Gary Polansky
Sandia National Laboratories (retired)
In recognition for decades of technical leadership in pioneering U.S. hypersonic boost-glide vehicle development and testing in service of the national defense.
2025 AIAA Information Systems Award
This award is presented to recognize outstanding technical and/or management contributions in space and aeronautics for computer, sensing, and fusion aspects of information technology and science.
Radhakrishna Sampigethaya
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
For his pioneering work and research in aviation cybersecurity in the areas of developing aircraft and air traffic control systems countermeasures, educating the current and next-generation workforce, and enhancing aerospace safety and security.
2025 AIAA Ashley Award for Aeroelasticity
This award recognizes outstanding contributions to the understanding and application of aeroelastic phenomena. It commemorates the accomplishments of Professor Holt Ashley, who dedicated his professional life to the advancement of aerospace sciences and engineering and had a profound impact on the fields of aeroelasticity, unsteady aerodynamics, aeroservoelasticity and multidisciplinary optimization.
Mordechay Karpel
Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Israel
For outstanding contributions to structural dynamics, aeroelasticity, and aeroservoelasticity, including engineering leadership, research innovations, influential publications, development of industrial software, and mentoring of aerospace professionals.
2025 AIAA de Florez Award for Flight Simulation
This award is presented for an outstanding individual achievement in the application of flight simulation to aerospace training, research, and development.
Heinrich H. Bülthoff
Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Germany
For groundbreaking research into how the brain processes multisensory perceptual information and the application of this knowledge for developing revolutionary new motion simulation technologies.
2025 AIAA Air Breathing Propulsion Award
This award is presented to an individual for sustained, meritorious accomplishment in the arts, sciences, and technology of air breathing propulsion systems.
Zoltán S. Spakovszky
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
For outstanding and sustained contributions to air breathing propulsion, through rigorous discoveries and advancements in compressor aerodynamic and aerostructural stability and in aeroengine acoustics.
2025 AIAA Aerospace Power Systems Award
This award, established in 1981, is presented for a significant contribution in the broad field of aerospace power systems, specifically as related to the application of engineering sciences and systems engineering to the generation, storage, management, and distribution of electrical energy to aerospace power systems.
Margot Wasz
The Aerospace Corporation (retired)
For exceptional technical contributions to advanced spacecraft battery power systems, outstanding service to the mission success of high-value United States Space Force launch vehicle systems, and transformational leadership of AIAA space power activities.
2025 AIAA Energy Systems Award
This award honors a significant contribution in the broad field of energy systems, specifically as related to the application of engineering sciences and systems engineering to the production, storage, distribution, and conservation of energy.
Ying Zheng
Western University
For remarkable contributions in advancing applied catalysis for clean and renewable energy innovations through exceptional dedication to research, education and application.
2025 AIAA Mechanics and Control of Flight Award
This award is presented for an outstanding recent technical or scientific contribution by an individual in the mechanics, guidance, or control of flight in space or the atmosphere.
Ilya Kolmanovsky
University of Michigan
For significant contributions to advances in theory and methods enabling development of reference governors and model predictive control algorithms enforcing safety constraints in aerospace systems.
2025 AIAA Propellants and Combustion Award
This award is presented for outstanding technical contributions to aeronautical or astronautical combustion engineering.
Robert P. Lucht
Purdue University
For numerous contributions to combustion, propulsion, and power generation through innovative development of advanced laser diagnostics and applying them to practical energy systems.
2025 AIAA Wyld Propulsion Award
This award is presented for outstanding achievement in the development or application of rocket propulsion systems.
Alon Gany
Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Israel
For pioneering contributions in propulsion research on metalized propellants, energetic materials, hybrid rockets, ramjets, and scramjets, with sustained excellence in educating generations of propulsion experts.
Media Contact: 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 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 aiaa.org, and follow AIAA on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X/Twitter.