FROM THE INSTITUTE
Space is no longer a benign operating environment. It is a contested warfighting domain, where adversaries are rapidly expanding counter-space capabilities and testing U.S. resilience on orbit and across the industrial base. Against this backdrop, ASCEND 2026 will feature its most robust national security programming to date showing how the United States can outpace adversaries, harden critical space infrastructure, and transform its space industrial base.
Tag: AIAA News
Novaspace Adds Market Intelligence Lens to ASCEND with New Programming on Key Trends
FROM THE INSTITUTE
Novaspace will make its ASCEND debut this year with a dedicated half day aimed at unpacking three of the space sector’s fastest-moving trends: direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity, cloud-enabled space infrastructure, and the next AI-fueled era of remote sensing. The programming on 21 May, marks the first time the consultancy has served as a programming partner for ASCEND.
Pickering Lecture to Feature NASA–ISRO Radar Mission’s Early Findings at ASCEND 2026
FROM THE INSTITUTE
Paul A. Rosen, project scientist at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), will deliver the Pickering Lecture at ASCEND 2026 on Thursday, 21 May. A 34-year NASA veteran and JPL Fellow who specializes in interferometric synthetic aperture radar (SAR), Rosen will detail early findings from the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission and how it is changing the ways scientists and agencies monitor Earth.
BryceTech to Steer Investment and Innovation Conversation at ASCEND 2026
FROM THE INSTITUTE
When ASCEND 2026 convenes in Washington, D.C., 19-21 May, BryceTech will step into a new role: curating a dedicated two-day track that aims to connect investors, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders across the commercial space ecosystem. “We set this up … with the theme of investment and innovators,” said Elaine Gresham, director of the Space Center of Excellence at BryceTech, explaining that 19 May is designated as Investors Day and 20 May as Innovators Day.
Call for Nominations for AIAA’s New 30/30 Recognition Program for Exceptional Young Professionals
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 11, 2026 – Reston, Va. – AIAA is pleased to announce its 30/30 Recognition Program for young professionals who embody excellence and innovation across the aerospace sector. AIAA will recognize 30 individuals in their 30s who are advancing aerospace through meaningful technical achievement, innovation and leadership early in their careers.
Nominations are now being accepted through 15 June 2026.
“30/30 builds on AIAA’s record of excellence in recognizing standout leaders in aerospace,” said AIAA CEO Clay Mowry. “This new program celebrates the next generation’s ingenuity. They are the future leaders and technical pioneers in our profession.”
This program’s timing comes as the aerospace industry continues to face a talent gap. The increasing demand for new technologically skilled workers is outpacing the supply of graduates. This problem compounded by an aging workforce and fierce competition for engineering talent from the technology sector.
AIAA has aligned the program with the Institute’s six technical divisions – Aerospace Design and Structures; Aerospace Sciences; Aircraft Technology, Integration, and Operations; Information Systems; Propulsion and Energy; and Space and Missiles. 30/30 also features a seventh grouping for nominations that don’t fit into the other categories.
AIAA will profile the top recipient from each category in the October–December print issue of its Aerospace America magazine, while all honorees will be recognized in the digital issue. In addition, they will enjoy one complimentary year of AIAA membership, one free registration to an AIAA forum or event in 2027, and exclusive leadership and engagement opportunities at AIAA events. These visibility opportunities include speaking at the Rising Stars in Aerospace sessions for mentoring and inspiring university students, and Rising Leaders in Aerospace sessions for peer networking and professional development.
*Consideration will also be given to nominees who are younger than 30 who have made notable accomplishments in their careers.
Media Contact: Rebecca Gray, [email protected], 804-397-5270 cell
About AIAA
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. Visit www.aiaa.org or follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and X.
Last Day to Save on AIAA AVIATION Forum 2026 Registration
FROM THE INSTITUTE
Join the aerospace community in San Diego for AIAA AVIATION Forum, set in a premier aviation center. The forum explores cutting-edge research and innovation, focusing on AI, autonomy, digital transformation, and AAM.
Take Advantage of Discount AIAA AVIATION Forum 2026 Registration Rates by 11 May
FROM THE INSTITUTE
AIAA AVIATION Forum explores the latest in aviation innovation, focusing on AI/autonomy, AAM, and hydrogen propulsion. It also covers fluid dynamics, applied aerodynamics, and electric aircraft technology, with nearly 1,000 technical sessions and 2,500 attendees from across the globe.
ASCEND 2026 Program to Launch with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman
FROM THE INSTITUTE
ASCEND 2026 will open on Tuesday, 19 May, with keynote remarks from Jared Isaacman, the 15th Administrator of NASA. It’s not his first time appearing at ASCEND. Isaacman spoke at ASCEND in 2021, just after returning from commanding Inspiration4, the first all-civilian orbital spaceflight. Now he’ll share perspectives from his new role leading America’s space program.
AIAA Announces Recipients of 2026 Roger W. Kahn Scholarship
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 7, 2026 – Reston, Va. – AIAA is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 Roger W. Kahn Scholarship. The four $10,000 awards go to the following high school seniors:
Aya Elamrani-Zerifi
From: Maryland
Attending in the Fall: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Vishal Manikanden
From: Virginia
Attending in the Fall: Princeton University
Aoqi Xu
From: Georgia
Attending in the Fall: Georgia Tech
Madison Nation
From: Colorado
Attending in the Fall: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Florida
Read their full profiles on the AIAA website.
The Roger W. Kahn Scholarship was created to honor the memory of Roger W. Kahn (1907–1962) and his passion for aviation and entertainment. Kahn spent the latter part of his career at Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation as a test pilot and then managed the technical service and sales division. In the 1940s, he was actively involved with the Institute of the Aeronautical Sciences (one of the predecessor organizations of AIAA) and later served as its vice president.
Kahn also was an accomplished jazz musician as early as the 1920s, composing songs often featured in stage productions and early films, as well as leading numerous orchestras. He became a recording artist for some of the first record labels including Victor, Brunswick, and Columbia.
Kahn left a legacy gift to AIAA – a song called “Crazy Rhythm” – that he wrote in 1928. AIAA used the proceeds of his trust to establish the scholarship in 2020. Since then, 16 students have received the scholarship to pursue university degrees in engineering.
“AIAA is thrilled to honor the memory of aviation pioneer Roger W. Kahn with such a powerful investment in the future of aerospace. The scholarship that bears his name will support four more bright minds driving the next technology breakthroughs. His enthusiasm for aviation nearly 100 years ago will remain relevant in the next 100 years of innovation,” commented AIAA CEO Clay Mowry.
Laura McGill, chair of the AIAA Foundation, added, “The AIAA Foundation is pleased to use part of Roger W. Kahn’s gift to identify, mentor, and promote promising young aerospace talent on their first steps from classroom to career. We can’t wait to see them shape the future of aerospace.”
Contact: Rebecca Gray, [email protected], 804-397-5270 cell
About AIAA
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. Visit www.aiaa.org or follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and X.
Technical Rigor, Professionalism, and Enthusiasm on Display at AIAA Region II Student Conference
FROM THE INSTITUTE
The 2026 AIAA Region II Student Conference, brought together more than 330 attendees and featured 105 student presentations. The event provided a valuable forum for students to showcase their work in a professional setting, receive real-time feedback from experienced practitioners serving as judges, and build connections with peers and professionals across academia, industry, and government. AIAA Region II Director Emeritus Kurt Polzin noted that “the conference creates an environment where students can refine their ideas, strengthen their communication skills, and gain confidence presenting complex work to a broader audience.”