FROM THE INSTITUTE
AIAA and Club for the Future’s Resilient Student Scholarship supports students interested in pursuing a degree in aerospace. The recipient of the 2025 $10,000 AIAA and Club for the Future Resilient Student Scholarship, Robert Morris, is a bright star in his first year at Howard University.
Tag: AIAA News
Building Transatlantic Ties: AIAA Advances Collaboration Across Germany
FROM THE INSTITUTE
In January, an AIAA delegation traveled across Germany to strengthen institutional partnerships, engage with student branches, and connect with organizations shaping the future of aerospace innovation. The three-day visit spanned Hamburg, Stuttgart, and Munich, underscoring the value of collaboration across industry, academia, and the next generation of aerospace leaders.
Lockheed’s AI Factory: Turning a “Digital Thread” Into a Battle-Ready Advantage
FROM THE INSTITUTE
A new AI platform that provides defense-grade security across environments is now available from Lockheed Martin, which has created a subsidiary to manage it. Astris AI provides the company’s AI Factory, offering an all-in-one operating model for all users. Companies or agencies that use it get access to the full arsenal of AI components available at the nation’s largest defense contractor.
Meet Jenna Eppink, 2026 AIAA Engineer of the Year
FROM THE INSTITUTE
Jenna Eppink was recognized as the 2026 Engineer of the Year at AIAA SciTech Forum in January in Orlando. She received the award for her significant contributions to flow measurement and near-body flow physics. As part of NASA Langley’s Flow Physics and Control Branch, Eppink’s technical innovation is expanding NASA’s research capabilities and setting new standards in experimental aerodynamics.
Hands-On Aerospace: Technical Committees Bring STEM to Middle School Classrooms
FROM THE INSTITUTE
During AIAA SciTech Forum, three AIAA technical committees, the Structural Dynamics TC, Structures TC, and Aerodynamics Measurement Technologies TC, along with representatives from Blue Origin’s Club for the Future partnered with Southwest Middle School in Orlando, for an off-site STEM outreach event.
AIAA Strengthens International Engagement
FROM THE INSTITUTE
AIAA convened an international gathering on Monday at the Palace Asinaridi San Marzano, the headquarters of Italian satellite manufacturer Space Industries, to launch AIAA’s new representation for the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region. AIAA’s efforts in the EMEA region will be led by Davide Petrillo and Martina Bruno based in Turin.
AIAA Strengthens International Engagement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Event in Turin, Italy, Launches Local Representation for EMEA
27 January 2026 – Turin, Italy – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) convened an international gathering on Monday at the Palace Asinari di San Marzano, the headquarters of Italian satellite manufacturer Space Industries, to launch AIAA’s new representation for the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region. AIAA’s efforts in the EMEA region will be led by Davide Petrillo and Martina Bruno based in Turin.
“As the world’s largest aerospace professional institute, AIAA is building deeper connections across the global aerospace community. This event highlights the value of transatlantic dialogue and shared technical expertise. Local engagement matters. Our presence in EMEA allows us to serve regional priorities and strengthen relationships that support aerospace supply chains and innovation across borders,” said AIAA CEO Clay Mowry.
The gathering, attended by representatives from government institutions and industry, included remarks from Giuseppe Santangelo, Chief Executive Officer of Space Industries. “We are proud to host AIAA at our headquarters, as this partnership aligns with the long-term vision of Space Industries. The space market is changing fast, with new commercial players and visionary companies relying on space data for business. We are pleased to collaborate with AIAA because our ambition goes beyond serial satellite manufacturing to support a connected, collaborative, and industrially mature commercial space ecosystem,” Santangelo said.
The program included a panel titled “Cross-Atlantic Synergies for Space Innovation in a Changing World.” The discussion examined how the space sector is rapidly evolving beyond its traditional boundaries and increasingly interacting with diverse non-space industries. Panelists included Luisella Giulicchi (European Space Agency), Clay Mowry (AIAA), Maria Antonietta Perino (Thales Alenia Space Italy), and Alessandra Vernile (Italian Space Agency). They highlighted the opportunities for cross-sector integration, as well as the challenges created by geopolitical shifts. The panel emphasized strong transatlantic collaboration as a foundation for building a resilient marketplace capable of accelerating innovation and ensuring long-term sustainable development in space.
AIAA welcomed new Corporate Members from the region. “We are proud to welcome Space Industries, GENERGO, and Kurs Orbital to the AIAA family. Their participation reflects the growing interest of European and international organizations in engaging with AIAA’s global network of researchers, engineers, innovators, and industry leaders,” Mowry added.
In addition, AIAA formalized two strategic collaborations by signing Memoranda of Understanding with WIA-Europe (Women in Aerospace Europe) and AIDAA (Associazione Italiana di Aeronautica e Astronautica). The agreements reinforce AIAA’s commitment to promoting international cooperation, supporting diversity in aerospace, and strengthening scientific and professional exchange between global communities.
Media Contacts:
Davide Petrillo, [email protected], + 39 348 5405622 Cell
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 33,000 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 LinkedIn, Instagram, X/Twitter, and Facebook.
Faculty Advisor Spotlight: Mohammad Ayoubi, Santa Clara University
From the Institute
Mohammad Ayoubi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Santa Clara University (SCU) and is the faculty advisor for the AIAA SCU Student Branch. Ayoubi was one of six faculty advisors that won the 2025 Faculty Advisor Award, recognizing his outstanding and dedicated efforts toward the student branch.
2026 AIAA Election Now Open
The AIAA Council Nominating Committee has assembled an outstanding slate of candidates. We urge all eligible voting members to carefully consider each candidate and select those who most closely reflect your values and your vision for the future of AIAA. All candidates are highly qualified, and all are anxious to serve.
The election is being held 26 January–20 February 2026.
AIAA Announces New Student Branches
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 26, 2026 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is pleased to announce it has provisionally chartered five new student branches at the AIAA Council of Directors meeting during AIAA SciTech Forum 2026 in Orlando, Florida.
The five new student branches have been granted three-year provisional charters to ensure they are sustainable before being officially chartered as a student branch. The universities include:
- Baylor University – Waco, Texas
- South Dakota State University – Brookings, South Dakota
- University of Texas Permian Basin – Odessa, Texas
- Wilbur Wright College – Chicago, Illinois
- Zewail City Science and Technology – Cairo, Egypt
“It’s an exciting moment as we welcome these new student branches to AIAA – totaling 268. By expanding our global network reaching more students, we are enriching our community. We’re eager to see the impact these future leaders will have on the aerospace industry,” said AIAA CEO Clay Mowry.
To find out how your institution can establish a student branch, visit aiaa.org/get-involved/university-students/student-branches.
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 www.aiaa.org, and follow AIAA on LinkedIn, Instagram, X/Twitter, and Facebook.