FROM THE INSTITUTE
Luminary Cloud, an AIAA Corporate Member, announced the release of three new physics AI defense models designed to dramatically expedite U.S. defense technology development while at AIAA SciTech Forum 2026. “The new physics AI models are intended to complement simulation technology, and instead of giving execution times in hours, they will provide answers in less than a second,” said Juan Alonso, Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder, Luminary Cloud. “This is a significant acceleration of engineering workflows, which is made possible by the very large data sets we are able to create with GPU-native physics solvers and by the revolution in Physics AI methods.”
Tag: AIAA News
Artemis Moon Missions Take Center Stage at Wichita Engineers Week Banquet
FROM THE INSTITUTE
It’s the first mission to bring humans to the moon in more than fifty years, and Alicia Dwyer Cianciolo is leading a team that will ensure the astronauts with the Artemis program land safely and precisely on the moon’s surface. Cianciolo, an AIAA Associate Fellow, spoke with engineers representing a number of societies at the annual Wichita Council of Engineering Societies Engineers Week Banquet in February. The speech detailed the Artemis project, the various missions, and her team’s role in setting the requirements and ensuring the human landing systems meet those requirements.
Faculty Advisor Spotlight: Michael Denn, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
FROM THE INSTITUTE
Michael Denn, an Instructor of Mechanical Mechatronics Engineering at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) who serves as the faculty advisor for the AIAA SIUE Student Branch, was one of six faculty advisors selected to receive the 2025 AIAA Faculty Advisor Award. Denn was recognized for his outstanding and dedicated efforts in establishing and guiding the student branch. He played a pivotal role in supporting the formation process and mentoring the organization through its inaugural semester, laying a strong foundation for long-term success.
AIAA Releases Special Collection Celebrating 100 Years of Rocketry
FROM THE INSTITUTE
Today marks the 100th anniversary of Dr. Robert H. Goddard’s first liquid-fueled rocket test in a field in Auburn, Massachusetts. To commemorate the event that effectively launched the space age, AIAA released a special technical collection drawn from Aerospace Research Central (ARC), “AIAA Collection: A Century of Rocketry.” ARC is AIAA’s digital library spanning more than 200,000 papers and over 90 years of aerospace scholarship and technical excellence. The centennial works will be free to access during 2026.
AIAA Celebrates 100 Years of Rocketry on Anniversary of First Rocket Launch
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 16, 2026 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) released “AIAA Collection: A Century of Rocketry,” a special compilation of 100 technical papers and articles spanning 90 years of aerospace scholarship. The centennial works will be free to access during 2026. The timing of the release coincides with the 100th anniversary of Dr. Robert H. Goddard’s first liquid-fueled rocket test flight, effectively launching the space age.
The collection includes 100 papers and articles on rocket propulsion drawn from the archival journal literature of AIAA and its predecessor societies the American Interplanetary Society (AIS), American Rocket Society (ARS), and the Institute of Aeronautical Sciences (IAS), including The Bulletin of the American Interplanetary Society, Astronautics, Journal of the Aeronautical Sciences, Journal of the American Rocket Society, Jet Propulsion, Journal of the Aerospace Sciences, AIAA Journal, Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics, and Journal of Propulsion and Power.
“We are thrilled to honor 100 years of rocketry. Today’s modern space launch vehicles were enabled when Dr. Goddard first launched his liquid propulsion rocket from a snowy field in Auburn, Massachusetts, on March 16, 1926. Goddard’s breakthrough is as significant to space exploration as the Wright Brothers’ first flight is to the aviation industry,” said AIAA CEO Clay Mowry.
“Our curated collection highlights the evolution of modern rocketry, bringing together influential works that trace propulsion development from its early foundations through today’s cutting-edge advancements. Together, the articles in the AIAA Collection: A Century of Rocketry reflect how generations of engineers and researchers have advanced the field while building upon the pioneering vision Goddard helped ignite,” noted Jackie O’Connor, AIAA Publications Committee Chair.
The collection was curated by Eun Kim, Systems Director, The Aerospace Corporation, an AIAA Associate Fellow, and former Associate Editor of AIAA’s Journal of Propulsion and Power (2010–2015); Joseph M. Powers, Professor of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering and Concurrent Professor of Applied and Computational Mathematics and Statistics, University of Notre Dame, an AIAA Fellow, and current Editor-in-Chief of AIAA’s Journal of Propulsion and Power (since 2016); and Vigor Yang,Regents’ Professor at Georgia Institute of Technology, an AIAA Fellow, former Editor-in-Chief of AIAA’s Journal of Propulsion and Power (2001–2009), vice president for publications, and member of AIAA’s executive committee (2012–2015).
Rather than focusing on historical archives of Goddard’s own work, which are maintained by other institutions, the AIAA Collection showcases the broader technical progress inspired by Goddard’s legacy through the lens of the AIAA community and its enduring body of research. Drawing from ARC’s extensive record, the series underscores AIAA’s role in documenting and advancing modern rocketry across nearly a century of innovation.
“The centennial collection reflects enduring contributions to rocket science and engineering that have inspired generations of researchers and engineers. We hope it encourages future innovators to follow in the pioneering footsteps of Goddard,” added Mowry.
Goddard is an important part of the Institute’s history. He served as a director of the American Rocket Society, one of the predecessor organizations to AIAA. The Institute placed an obelisk in 1960 at the location of Goddard’s first flight, which was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1966 and an AIAA Historic Site in 2000.
AIAA is supporting a weeklong series of commemorative events designed to inspire a new generation of students to embrace science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The public can participate in the celebration by launching a one-fifth-scale model version of Goddard’s original rocket from Estes Rockets. A youth focused celebration was held on the original launch site on 14 March. The launch area is now the 9th hole of the municipal Pakachoag Golf Course, Auburn, Massachusetts. Other launches are set across the country by aerospace companies and participating organizations. Regardless of location, anyone can participate this week by sharing photos of their own rocket launches on social media with the hashtag #Goddard100Launch.
Additional centennial events AIAA is supporting include:
- “Launching the Next 100 Years: Industry, Innovation & the Future of Space” lecture on Wednesday, 18 March 18, 5:30 p.m., Worchester Polytechnic Institute, Rubin Campus Center, Odeum 3rd Floor, with remarks from AIAA President Dan Hastings
- “Goddard: Father of the Space Age,” a multimedia event on Sunday, 22 March, 4:30 p.m., at Worcester’s Hanover Theater, featuring Dr. Makenzie Lystrup, former Director of NASA Goddard Space Flight Center; planetary scientist Dr. Alan Stern; Massachusetts astronaut Al Sacco Jr.; AIAA President Dan Hastings; and Maynard Okereke, host of The Hip Hop Science Show
The Goddard centennial events are supported by industry leaders and organizations including: AIAA, Aerospace Industries Association, Blue Origin, Blue Origin’s Club for the Future, Clark University, MIT, National Association of Rocketry, National Space Society, Space Foundation, Spaceport America, The Aerospace Corporation, The Space Consortium, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Virgin Galactic, Winn Properties, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
For more information: www.thefirstlaunch.org #Goddard100Launch
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 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. For more information, visit www.aiaa.org, and follow AIAA on LinkedIn, Instagram, X/Twitter, and Facebook.
Nominations Open for Member Advancement
FROM THE INSTITUTE
Do you know an AIAA member who has made outstanding contributions to the aerospace industry? Help us shine a spotlight on their stellar leadership and contributions by nominating them for member advancement, and elevate them to an elite class of AIAA members. Full nomination criteria can be found on the AIAA Honors homepage.
AIAA Announces 2026 General Election Results
FROM THE INSTITUTE
AIAA has announced the results of its recent 2026 elections. The newly elected AIAA officials will take office in May.
March 2026: The Goddard Centennial
FROM THE INSTITUTE
This March 16th will mark the 100th anniversary of Dr. Robert Goddard’s historic first flight of a liquid propulsion rocket, back in 1926. That flight is rocketry’s closest equivalent of the Wright Brothers’ first flight of an airplane at Kitty Hawk in 1903. And just like the similarly historic Kitty Hawk flight, Goddard’s pioneering first liquid propulsion flight opened the way to a world-changing future that all of humankind benefits from today.
AIAA SciTech Forum 2026 Event Recap Published
This report provides a comprehensive look back at this year’s forum, from attendee demographics and the technical program to the Expo Hall and the HUB. Explore media highlights, digital engagement, and other key moments.
Call for Technical Experts for Standards
FROM THE INSTITUTE
AIAA is now the Committee Manager and US TAG for ISO TC20/SC 16 Uncrewed Aircraft System which leads international standardization in the field of advanced air mobility and uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS). The committee is looking for technical experts to support its work in developing International Standards to provide a framework and guidance for government, public and private stakeholders involved in the safe and effective design, procurement, deployment and operation of Counter UAS equipment intended to be deployed in all fixed, mobile and transportable civilian environments. Experts in the field of cybersecurity aspects specific to UAS are also encouraged to particiate.