FROM THE INSTITUTE
If you’re building a space startup, be ready for difficult fundraising cycles, lengthy government sales processes, and hiring decisions that can make or break your company – but also for a community of founders and mentors willing to offer support when things get hard. That was the central message from the Founders Panel at ASCEND 2026, an annual event created and moderated by Rob Meyerson, CEO of Interlune and event co-founder.
Tag: AIAA News
Researching Aerospace Stakeholder Engagement at the 2026 Regional Studies Association Annual Conference
FROM THE INSTITUTE
As AIAA programming is traditionally led by engineers with the inclusion of other members of the stakeholder ecosystem, Ashira Beutler-Greene’s goal was…
AIAA Named Finalist for PR Daily’s 2026 Marketing Awards
FROM THE INSTITUTE
The Institute was named a finalist in PR Daily’s 2026 Marketing Awards for two initiatives: its brand relaunch and the redesign of Aerospace America’s website. The awards, presented by Ragan Communications and PR Daily, recognize organizations advancing marketing through creativity, strategy, and measurable results.
“Wow, That Space Thing Is Pretty Cool”: STEM Payoff on Display at ASCEND
FROM THE INSTITUTE
Ava Crowder, a high school junior in Virginia, has conducted research on a rust-eating bacteria to determine how it might perform in microgravity. Eva Astrada, another high school student from Texas, worked with a NASA astronaut on an experiment for the International Space Station. The pair attended ASCEND 2026 to share their experiences with the nonprofit Higher Orbits.
AIAA and Thunderbird at ASU Launch Global Space Leadership and Strategy Series
FROM THE INSTITUTE
AIAA and Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University (Thunderbird) announced the launch of the Global Space Leadership and Strategy Series, a new executive-level online program designed to prepare leaders for the increasingly complex, global, and high-stakes space economy.
Technology Is Ready, Systems Are Not: AVIATION Forum Probes Electric Aviation’s Next Hurdles
FROM THE INSTITUTE
Electric aviation may have proven it can fly, but whether it can scale is now the central question, according to industry and government experts at AIAA AVIATION Forum 2026. The session explored how more electric and hybrid‑electric aircraft can transition from high‑profile demonstrations to routine service in regional markets.
Call for Technical Briefings Now Open for AIAA DEFENSE Forum
FROM THE INSTITUTE
The Institute is requesting technical briefings for AIAA DEFENSE Forum 2027. Share your ideas and contribute to shaping the 2027 forum program. Deadline: 13 August 2026.
AIAA Announces Fusion Propulsion Guide Committee on Standards
FROM THE INSTITUTE
AIAA announces the formation of a Committee on Standards (CoS) to develop a guide for space propulsion based on controlled nuclear fusion. This guide is intended for senior engineers responsible for evaluating or proposing potential techniques.
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Faster, Higher, Farther – Experts Chart the Next Era of High-Speed Civil Flight
FROM THE INSTITUTE
At AIAA AVIATION Forum 2026, industry and government leaders described a high-speed aviation sector that is technically close to commercial reality yet still constrained by economics, regulation, and environmental concerns. Across supersonic jets, rocket-powered point-to-point concepts and low-boom demonstrators, panelists arrived at a shared conclusion: the technology is largely ready. The questions now involve financing, markets, standards, and proof that high-speed travel can be economically viable while remaining environmentally and socially acceptable.
AI, Assurance, and the Future of Aviation Operations
FROM THE INSTITUTE
At AIAA AVIATION Forum, aviation leaders zeroed in on a practical question: how to introduce advanced analytics, automation, and autonomy into live operations, including airlines, new entrants, and future airspace, without breaking the complex system that already moves hundreds of thousands of people every day.