FROM THE INSTITUTE
AIAA S-159, On-Orbit Servicing Power and Data Interfaces, has been issued for public review. This document provides best practices, functional requirements, and norms associated with the power and data interfaces between a Servicing Spacecraft and a Client Space Object. The intent is to provide guidance to developers and operators of both the Servicing Spacecraft and the Client Space Object. The public review deadline is 30 June 2026. For a copy of the draft, submission of public review comments, or questions, please contact Michele Dominiak at [email protected].
Tag: AIAA News
Building the STEM Pipeline
FROM THE INSTITUTE
The United States is in the midst of a “space revolution,” but the hands that will inherit the Earth and the space surrounding it is in short supply. “We need more hands on deck,” said Amy Medina Jorge, astronaut and middle school teacher from Texas who flew on Blue Origin’s New Shepard NS-32 mission in May 2025. Medina and Kristen Yip of Blue Origin spoke on the HUB Stage at AIAA SciTech Forum 2026 about building the talent pipeline for space.
25 Years of the International Space Station: Legacy, Science, and the Road Ahead
FROM THE INSTITUTE
In November 2025, the ISS marked 25 years of uninterrupted crewed operations – a record unmatched in human spaceflight. In January, a panel of experts at the AIAA SciTech Forum HUB stage discussed the station’s legacy and future of humanity in space, and underscored how the station’s engineering triumphs, international partnership, and scientific output have shaped today’s space agenda and will influence the transition to commercial platforms and deep space missions.
AIAA AVIATION Forum 2026 to Showcase Next Generation Flight Technologies
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 23, 2026 – Reston, Va. – AIAA announced its program for AIAA AVIATION Forum 2026, 8-12 June, Manchester Grand Hyatt, San Diego, Calif. This year’s theme, “From Velocity to Altitude – Accelerating Toward Tomorrow,” captures the acceleration of aviation technology.
“Next generation technologies are reshaping both the pace and direction of aerospace innovation,” said AIAA CEO Clay Mowry. “This event is mission essential for aviation professionals from industry, government, and academia – ensuring next generation air transportation systems are safe, efficient, and ready for what’s next.”
Educational, Interactive, Mission-Critical Program Planned
From the main stage, attendees will learn about the technologies redefining flight – AI in the cockpit, electric aircraft, hydrogen propulsion, and beyond. The speakers and panelists represent the leading aviation agencies, companies, and universities from around the world. One feature of the week is a live update from NASA Aeronautics on its vision and outlook for the years ahead.
Confirmed speakers include (in alphabetical order):
- Darcy Allison, Advanced Development Engineering Workflow Lead, Anduril Industries
- Phil Ansell, Associate Professor and Allen Ormsbee Faculty Scholar, Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Bimal Aponso, Chief Scientific and Technical Advisor for Dynamic Systems, Federal Aviation Administration
- Lori Arnett, Associate Director for Digital Transformation, Aerosciences and Evaluation Test Capabilities, NASA
- Luc Van Bavel, CTO/Co-Founder, Evio
- Andreas “Andy” Bernhard, Director, Structures, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
- Kevin Bowcutt, Senior Technical Fellow and Chief Scientist of Hypersonics, The Boeing Company
- Gaudy Bezos-O’Connor, Project Manager, Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration, Integrated Aviation Systems Program, NASA
- John Cavolowsky, Director, Transformative Aeronautics Concepts Program, Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, NASA
- Carlos Cesnik, Richard A. Auhll Department Chair and Francois-Xavier Bagnoud Professor of Aerospace Engineering, University of Michigan
- Joshua Deaton, Deputy Chief Scientist, Aerospace Systems Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory
- Marc Fischer, Senior Vice President Engineering – HO Cabin and Cargo Centre of Competence, Airbus
- Robert D. Gregg III, Chief Aerodynamicist, Boeing Commercial Airplanes
- Roberto I. Guerrero, USAF Operational Energy (Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Operational Energy, Safety and Occupational Health (SOH), Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Energy, Installations, and Environment)
- Tom Gunnarson, Lead of Regulatory Affairs, Wisk
- Kelley Hashemi, Associate Director, Transformative Aeronautics Concepts Program, NASA
- Scott Kaslusky, Vice President, Aerospace Technology, RTX
- David King, Chief Engineer, Vertical Aerospace
- Travis Klopfenstein, Innovation Program Manager, Collins Aerospace
- Parimal “PK” Kopardekar, Airspace Operations and Safety Program Acting Director, Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, NASA
- Ed Lovelace, CTO and VP Engineering, Ampaire
- Nateri Madavan, Advanced Air Vehicles Program Director, Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, NASA
- Dmitri Mavris, Distinguished Regent’s Professor, Georgia Institute of Technology
- Kate McMurtry, Integrated Aviation Systems Program Acting Director, Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, NASA
- Bjorn Nagel, Director, Institute of System Architectures in Aeronautics, DLR
- Ryan Naru, Aviation Policy and Regulatory Affairs Lead, Joby Aviation
- Tim Niznik, Director of Analytics, American Airlines
- Bob Pearce, Associate Administrator, Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, NASA
- Prajwal Prakasha, Group Lead-Aviation System Design and Assessment, DLR
- Amy Pritchett, Professor and Head of Aerospace Engineering, Pennsylvania State University
- Jeremy Roehm, Chief of Technology and Partnerships – US, Rolls-Royce
- OJ Sanchez, Vice President and General Manager, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works®
- Venke Sankaran, Chief Scientist of Aerospace Systems Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory
- Blake Scholl, Founder and CEO, Boom Supersonic
- Cleiton Diniz Pereira da Silva e Silva, Vice President of Technology and Advanced Projects, Embraer
- Adam Shepherd, Northrop Grumman Fellow–Digital Engineering, Northrop Grumman
- Jess Sponable, President and Chief Technology Officer, New Frontier Aerospace, Inc.
- JP Stewart, Senior Vice President of Product Development, Electra.aero
- Brandon Suarez, Vice President of UAS Integration, Reliable Robotics
- John Vassberg, Chief Design Officer, JetZero
- Graham Warwick, Executive Editor, Technology, Aviation Week
- Paige Stanton Wilson, Chief Development Officer, Acubed
AIAA forums are well known for the depth of technical content presented. The technical program features over 1,000 presentations spanning more than 20 research topics, covering fluid dynamics, applied aerodynamics, air transportation systems, thermophysics, multidisciplinary design optimization, and more.
A slate of hands-on technical courses workshops are scheduled, with expert instructors speaking on the timeliest aviation topics:
- Design of Electrified Propulsion Aircraft Course
- AIAA Drag Prediction and Aeroelastic Prediction Workshop
- 3rd AIAA Workshop on Multifidelity Methods for Design and Uncertainty Quantification
- Propeller Aerodynamics for Advanced Air Mobility: Fundamentals and Integration Effects Course
- Computational Aeroelasticity Course
- Hypersonic Aerothermodynamics Course
Attendees can participate in the Electric Propulsion and Advanced Technology Symposium (EPATS) Conference during the week. The EPATS keynote addresses, panel discussions, and technical sessions will focus on the continued technological development, design, evaluation, characterization, modeling, and integration of electrified aircraft components and systems.
Registration for the forum is open, with early-bird rates ending 11 May. Journalists can request a Press Pass online.
Media Contact: Rebecca Gray, [email protected], 804-397-5270 cell
About AIAA
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 or follow AIAA on X/Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
SGx 2026 Registration is Open
FROM THE INSTITUTE
The future of space leadership converges in Washington, D.C., 17–18 May. Join the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), in partnership with ASCEND and the Future Space Leaders Foundation (FSLF), for the 11th SGx conference—a fast-paced, high-access gathering where students, young professionals, and industry and government leaders shape what comes next for the global space sector. Secure your seat today!
Today is the Last Day to Save on ASCEND 2026 Registration
FROM THE INSTITUTE
ASCEND 2026 is where the global space community comes together to turn bold ideas into real outcomes. Bringing together 2,000+ leaders from industry, government, and academia, ASCEND covers everything from space economy and national security to lunar exploration and next-gen technology—across 130 sessions and 190 technical papers. Powered by AIAA and backed by partners including Lockheed Martin and the ISS National Laboratory, this is the event that drives the space sector forward. Secure your seat today, before rates go up.
AIAA Announces 2026 Design/Build/Fly (DBF) Competition Winners
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 19, 2026 – Wichita, Kansas – AIAA announced the winners of the 30th Annual AIAA Design/Build/Fly (DBF) Competition:
- First Place ($3,000): University of Ljubljana
- Second Place ($2,000): University of Washington-Seattle
- Third Place ($1,500): University of California, Los Angeles
- Best Report Score ($100): University of Southern California
- Stan Powell Award for Lessons Learned: Washington University in St. Louis
Complete results are posted at aiaa.org/dbf.
This year, 1,179 students on 89 university teams attended the fly-off onsite. The fly-off was hosted by AIAA Corporate Member Textron Aviation in Wichita, Kansas. Teams represented 12 countries during the fly-off weekend, including the U.S. with 31 states and Washington, D.C.
This year’s flight objective was to design, build, and test a banner-towing bush plane, conducting charter flights for passengers (rubber ducks) and cargo (hockey pucks) to pay for the airplane and start a banner towing business. Recordings of the livestream video of the fly-off is available on AIAA’s YouTube channel.
“DBF is our aeronautics highlight of the year,” said AIAA CEO Clay Mowry. “The students’ passion for DBF reflects the promising future of flight and the next generation of aerospace professionals. DBF is a team sport. Our competitors are gaining hands-on experiences that make them even more attractive to potential employers. DBF teams are tackling the engineering challenges of flight, solving problems, and dealing with setbacks. Most importantly, they’re showing incredible resilience over the course of four days. Congratulations to all of the students who flew during this 30th year of DBF!”
Russ Althof, director of the DBF Organizing Committee, said, “We owe our thanks for the success of the DBF Competition to the efforts of many volunteers from Textron Aviation, RTX, and the AIAA sponsoring Technical Committees: Applied Aerodynamics, Aircraft Design, Flight Test, and Design Engineering. These volunteers collectively set the rules for the contest, gather entries, judge the written reports, and execute the fly-off.”
Contact: Rebecca Gray, [email protected], 804-397-5270
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.
AIAA Design/Build/Fly Livestream Planned for 17–19 April
FROM THE INSTITUTE
The DBF experience won’t only be witnessed by those on the ground. AIAA is bringing the energy of the competition beyond the Kansas sky and into living rooms, labs, and classrooms worldwide. Viewers can tune into a livestream on AIAA’s YouTube channel on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 17–19 April, to witness the takeoffs, the tense moments, the triumphs, and the heartbreaks in real time.
New AIAA Position Paper on ITAR Reforms to Promote and Support a Robust Academic Pipeline
FROM THE INSTITUTE
Earlier this year, the AIAA Board of Trustees approved a new position paper on ITAR that offers recommendations to enhance ITAR and promote a robust academic pipeline. While ITAR is essential for safeguarding national security, when outdated definitions limit safe academic activities, they can inadvertently undermine the very system they’re intended to protect. AIAA’s stance embodies a straightforward principle: security and innovation are not opposing forces. When policies are well balanced, they can enhance each other.
AIAA AVIATION Forum 2026 to Showcase Next Generation Flight Technologies
FROM THE INSTITUTE
The future of aviation takes flight in San Diego this June. AIAA unveiled the program for AIAA AVIATION Forum 2026, 8-12 June, at the Manchester Grand Hyatt and it’s built to match the rapid pace of change in aerospace. This year’s theme, “From Velocity to Altitude – Accelerating Toward Tomorrow,” captures the acceleration of aviation technology. Registration for the forum is open, with early-bird rates ending 11 May.