Tag: AIAA Press Release

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.

AIAA Announces 2026 Priority Issues to Advance U.S. Aerospace Leadership

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 9, 2026 – Reston, Va. – AIAA CEO Clay Mowry announced the 2026 Priority Issues confronting the aerospace industry spanning aviation, national security, research and development, and space domains. AIAA is the world’s largest aerospace professional society representing over 33,000 engineers and 100 corporate members. AIAA’s 2026 Priority Issues are designed to inform policymakers and industry leaders on the most pressing issues affecting U.S. aerospace competitiveness, leadership and safety.

“Preserving America’s leadership position in aerospace requires the modernization of our aviation infrastructure, investment in R&D, a resilient industrial base, and clear, responsible policy frameworks that enable innovation while protecting national security,” Mowry said. AIAA’s 2026 Priority Issues reflect those hard realities in an increasingly competitive global aerospace marketplace.”

2026 Priority Issues

Aviation

  • Air traffic control and infrastructure modernization through sustained FAA Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) investment
  • Advanced air mobility and autonomous flight integration
  • Advanced materials and manufacturing technologies, including qualification, supply-chain, and workforce constraints

National Security

  • Golden Dome for America/multi-layered defense readiness, including industrial-base, supply chain, and qualification standards
  • Smart sustainment approaches to right-to-repair
  • Acquisition reform to deliver capability at the speed of relevance

Research & Development

  • R&D leadership and investment in laboratories and test infrastructure
  • Internal research and development (IRAD) incentives and tax policy
  • Academic ITAR and export-control modernization to protect the STEM pipeline

Space

  • NASA budget growth, safety, and preserving science leadership
  • The race to the Moon and Mars, including norms of behavior in cislunar space
  • Space traffic management and space situational awareness for orbital safety

AIAA will engage with Congress, the administration, state and local officials throughout 2026 to provide technical expertise, standards development, and fora to support these priorities.

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.

AIAA Bids to Bring the World’s Premier Space Event to the United States in 2029

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Houston aims to welcome thousands of global space leaders as humanity returns to the Moon

February 25, 2026 – Houston – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) has submitted a bid to host the 80th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2029) in Houston, Texas, 1-5 October 2029. The event coincides with the 60th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing and humanity’s return to the lunar surface.

Organized annually by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), the IAC is the world’s largest global space congress, drawing governments, space agencies, industry leaders, researchers, and students from around the world.

AIAA has successfully hosted six IACs in the United States, including IAC 2002 in Houston.

As home to NASA Johnson Space Center and the historic Mission Control known as “Space City,” Houston stands uniquely positioned to welcome back the global space community during a defining moment in exploration history.

The announcement was made today at AIAA’s annual ASCENDxTexas event in Houston. “IAC 2029 coincides with NASA’s push to return to the lunar surface and the 60th anniversary of the historic Apollo 11 landing. We’re at the dawn of the next era of lunar exploration. Houston is the ideal place to gather with the international community supporting the Artemis program,” said Clay Mowry, AIAA CEO and former IAF President.

“The IAC is where nations, space agencies, industry leaders, researchers, and students come together in a spirit of cooperation to advance space for the benefit of humanity. IAC 2029 in Houston would unite the global community’s sustainable exploration ambitions. We are committed to strengthening representation from across the Americas to ensure IAC 2029 reflects the full dynamism of the global space community,” Mowry concluded.

The bid comes at a pivotal moment in human spaceflight, as nations return astronauts to the Moon, expand commercial space stations in low Earth orbit, and accelerate international collaboration in space deep space exploration. Houston’s legacy in human spaceflight and its globally connected infrastructure uniquely position the city to host this defining gathering.

Houston brings a proven track record of hosting large-scale international events, supported by 87 active consulates and a globally connected business community. The bid is backed by Houston First Corporation, the Greater Houston Partnership, and the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership, underscoring strong regional commitment to delivering a world-class Congress.

Michael Heckman, President and CEO of Houston First Corporation, said, “Houston First is proud to support AIAA’s bid to host the International Astronautical Congress in 2029. The new 700,000-square-foot GRB South building, part of our Convention District Transformation Project, will serve as an ideal host site for this important event. Houston also offers exceptional international air connectivity and a community shaped by more than half a century of space leadership, making our city uniquely positioned to deliver an IAC that is seamless in execution and significant in global impact.”

Preliminary analysis indicates that IAC 2029 Houston would generate approximately $35 million (USD) in economic impact for Texas and attract more than 13,000 delegates from over 80 countries.

AIAA is placing particular emphasis on expanding participation across the 35 nations of the Americas, many of which have not attended an IAC in the region since 2019. Of the IACs held to date, only 12 have taken place in the Americas and only three within the last 25 years.

The bid has already secured more than 164 letters of international support including endorsements from major space agencies such as CNES, ISRO, African Space Agency, Australian Space Agency, and Bahrain Space Agency, as well as IAF’s supporting organizations: IAA, IISL, and SGAC.

Originally rooted in academic exchange, IAC 2029 Houston is expected to receive more than 5,000 research paper submissions, with strong representation from U.S. institutions and across the Americas.

Today, the Congress has evolved into the premier global marketplace for space collaboration, featuring a large-scale exhibition and extensive business-to-business engagement. Houston’s ecosystem uniquely enables expansion into adjacent sectors such as space health and human performance, anchored by NASA Johnson Space Center, Baylor College of Medicine, and the Texas Medical Center, the world’s largest medical complex.

The final day of the Congress attracts yet another audience given it is open to the public and free to participate. The day will feature demonstrations, a “meet the Astronauts” event, and STEM activities to inspire the next generation of space and STEM enthusiasts. When it was last held in Sydney, Australia, in 2025, it welcomed 19,500 attendees.

The winning host city for IAC 2029 will be announced on October 9, 2026, at IAC 2026 Antalya in Türkiye.

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. AIAA has hosted the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) six times: 1961 in Washington D.C.; 1968 in New York; 1976 in Anaheim, California; 1992 in Washington D.C.; 2002 in Houston; and 2019 in Washington D.C. and is bidding to host in 2029 in Houston. For more information, visit www.aiaa.org, and follow AIAA on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

AIAA Identifies Top Technologies Transforming Aerospace

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Survey of 700+ Aerospace Experts Names Ten Technologies Shaping the Future

February 18, 2025 – Reston, Va. – Ten technologies will fundamentally reshape aerospace operations, manufacturing, and services over the next two decades according to a debut report released today by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), the world’s largest aerospace technical society.

The report, “Technologies Transforming Aerospace,” captures insights from AIAA’s global community of aerospace professionals, identifying the leading technologies disrupting the status quo in aviation and space.

The survey of more than 700 aerospace experts, combined with in-depth interviews of nearly two dozen senior technology leaders in industry, academia, and government, defined the top technologies that will shape aeronautics and space by 2045. AIAA partnered with BryceTech, an analytics and engineering firm, to conduct the survey and rank the technologies based on their impacts, feasibility, use cases, and potential barriers.

“Aerospace has reached a technological inflection point,” said Clay Mowry, AIAA CEO. “The technologies highlighted in this report will permeate the aerospace supply chain over the next 20 years, increasing efficiency, enabling mobility, and transforming exploration. The signal is clear: the next aerospace era is here, and AIAA’s engineering community is equipped to shape the future using advanced computing, materials, and propulsion technologies.”

Top 10 Technologies Transforming Aerospace
(in alphabetical order)

  • AI-Aided Advanced Design and Engineering
  • Alternative Aviation Fuels
  • Electric Aircraft
  • Fully Reusable Launch
  • High-Temperature Materials
  • Hypersonic Propulsion
  • In-Space Manufacturing
  • Pilotless Aircraft
  • Quantum Computing and Sensing
  • Space Nuclear Power and Propulsion

“What makes this forecast powerful is the scale of the signal,” said Carissa Christensen, CEO of BryceTech. “Based on the depth of the data, we’re seeing convergence across the aerospace community on the technologies that will define the next era. This roadmap is built on the collective expertise of the people who will make future innovations real.”

Technologies That Just Missed the Cut
The forecast also identified several technologies that narrowly missed the top 10 but remain significant areas of development: collaborative autonomous systems, direct-to-device (D2D) satellite communications, functional materials with adaptive properties, large-scale additive manufacturing of aerospace structures, novel aerodynamic designs (including blended wing body and truss-braced wing aircraft), and on-orbit refueling systems.

The report is available for immediate download at aiaa.org/resources/technologies-transforming-aerospace-report/.

A webinar providing detailed insights is planned for Noon ET, Monday, 2 March. Registration is free.

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 over 33,000 members from 91 countries, and more than 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 Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram.

About BryceTech
BryceTech is an engineering and analytics firm serving government and commercial clients in complex technology domains. BryceTech is internationally recognized for its objective, evidence-based analytic and strategic support, as well as for its authoritative data sets characterizing the aerospace industry. BryceTech expertise includes modeling demand, forecasting space activity, technology scouting, and policy and economic analysis. For more information, visit brycetech.com.

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.

AIAA Announces Next Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Aircraft

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 18, 2025 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is pleased to announce that Rakesh Kapania, Norris and Wendy Mitchell Professor of Aerospace Engineering at Virginia Tech, will serve as the next editor-in-chief of the Journal of Aircraft, with service commencing in January 2026.

Kapania succeeds Mark Drela, Terry J. Kohler Professor of Fluid Dynamics in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who has led the journal since 2023.

The AIAA Publications Committee oversees the search and selection effort for new editors-in-chief. The search committee was led by Misty Davies, NASA Ames Intelligent Systems Division, and an AIAA Publications Committee member. Kapania was chosen from a group of highly qualified candidates.

“Being selected as the Editor-in-Chief of AIAA’s Journal of Aircraft, one of the most prestigious journals in aircraft engineering, is a tremendous honor. Succeeding one of the giants of aircraft engineering, Mark Drela, is very humbling. I am thrilled to take this role at a time when there are enormous ongoing developments in all facets of aircraft engineering, including advanced air mobility, autonomy, artificial intelligence, materials, advanced manufacturing, and hypersonic vehicles.” said Kapania.

Kapania received his doctoral degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Purdue University, M.S. from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, and B.S. from the Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh, India. At Virginia Tech he has taught courses related to aerospace structures and computational methods. His research interests are analysis and design of aerospace structures, computational aeroelasticity, composite structures, multidisciplinary analysis and design optimization, and machine learning. Kapania has published nearly 240 archival journal articles and more than 385 proceeding papers, a significant number of them at AIAA conferences. He has guided/co-guided 59 Ph.D. and 77 M.S. students and 20 Postdoctoral Fellows. Kapania has a long history of service to AIAA, serving on technical committees, two tours of duty as an associate editor of the AIAA Journal, as a member of the editorial advisory board of the AIAA Education Series, and as Faculty Advisor to Virginia Tech’s Design/ Build/Fly team. A winner of the AIAA/ISSMO Multidisciplinary Design Optimization Award (2016) and Boeing Welliver Summer Fellowship (1996), Kapania is a Fellow of AIAA and the Royal Aeronautical Society.

The Journal of Aircraft is devoted to the advancement of the applied science and technology of airborne flight through the dissemination of original archival papers describing significant advances in aircraft, the operation of aircraft, and applications of aircraft technology to other fields.

For more information on the Journal of Aircraft, contact David Arthur, Senior Director, Publications.

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, or follow AIAA on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram.

AIAA Statement on Senate Confirmation of Jared Isaacman as NASA Administrator

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 17, 2025 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) issued the following statement from AIAA CEO Clay Mowry on the United States Senate’s confirmation of Jared Isaacman as NASA Administrator:

“Congratulations to Jared Isaacman on his confirmation as NASA’s 15th administrator. His leadership comes at a pivotal time for the agency as it advances ambitious exploration goals, strengthens partnerships across government and industry, and delivers scientific and technological value for the nation.

Administrator Isaacman brings a unique combination of operational and leadership experience to NASA. As a flight-rated pilot and commander of two commercial space missions, he understands the demands of human flight firsthand, both in the atmosphere and in low Earth orbit. We appreciated working with him during ASCEND 2021, where he spoke after his first space flight. Combined with his record of entrepreneurial leadership, his background positions him well to guide NASA through an increasingly complex technical and policy environment.

AIAA looks forward to continuing our long-standing relationship with NASA under his leadership. Our community remains committed to supporting the agency’s mission by strengthening the aerospace workforce, advancing research and innovation, and sustaining U.S. leadership in civil space and aeronautics.”

Contact: Rebecca Gray, [email protected], 804-397-5270 

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 X/Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

AIAA Announces 2026 Premier Award Winners

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 16, 2025 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is pleased to announce the 2026 recipients of the AIAA Premier Awards, recognizing the most influential and inspiring individuals in aerospace whose outstanding contributions merit the highest accolades. The winners will be recognized at AIAA events throughout the year.

“Congratulations to our premier award winners,” said AIAA President Daniel Hastings. “In honoring these remarkable pioneers, we celebrate their transformative contributions that will echo through generations of aerospace innovation. Their groundbreaking work exemplifies the relentless pursuit of excellence that defines our community as they set new horizons for what humanity can achieve in the vast frontiers of air and space.”

“I’m simply in awe of this outstanding group of award winners. These are the aerospace professionals who push the boundaries of what’s possible,” said AIAA CEO Clay Mowry. “These leaders are making sure we stay at the forefront of innovation and maintain our national leadership in aerospace. They are truly shaping the future of aerospace.”

The winners are:

AIAA Goddard Astronautics Award – Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)

AIAA Reed Aeronautics Award – Boom Supersonic XB-1 Team

AIAA Distinguished Service Award – Mark J. Lewis, President & CEO, Purdue Applied Research Institute

AIAA Engineer of the Year Award – Jenna L. Eppink, Research Aerospace Engineer, NASA Langley Research Center

AIAA Lawrence Sperry Award – Thomas C. Underwood, Assistant Professor, University of Texas at Austin

AIAA Public Service Award – Thomas Zurbuchen, Professor of Space Science and Technology, ETH Zurich

Daniel Guggenheim Medal – Charbel Farhat, Vivian Church Hoff Professor of Aircraft Structures School of Engineering, Stanford University

Award Citations

AIAA Goddard Astronautics Award

The highest honor AIAA bestows for notable achievement in the field of astronautics. It was endowed by Mrs. Goddard in the 1940s as the ARS Goddard Memorial Award to commemorate her husband, Robert H. Goddard—rocket visionary, pioneer, bold experimentalist, and superb engineer whose early liquid rocket engine launches set the stage for the development of astronautics.

Indian Space Research Organisation, honored “For the groundbreaking landing of the ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 near the lunar south pole region, to deepen our understanding of the moon and beyond.”

AIAA Reed Aeronautics Award

The highest honor AIAA bestows for notable achievements in the field of aeronautics. The award is named after Dr. Sylvanus A. Reed, aeronautical engineer, designer, and founding member of the Institute of the Aeronautical Sciences in 1932.

Boom Supersonic XB-1 Team, honored “In recognition of the historic design and development of Boom Supersonic’s demonstrator, XB-1, the first independently developed supersonic jet, which demonstrated Boomless Cruise on two supersonic flights in 2025.”

AIAA Distinguished Service Award

AIAA recognizes an individual member who has provided distinguished service to the Institute over a period of years.

Mark J. Lewis, President & CEO, Purdue Applied Research Institute, honored “For outstanding and notable contributions to AIAA at the sectional, regional, and national level over the past four decades.”

AIAA Engineer of the Year Award

The award is presented to a member of the Institute who has made a recent individual technical contribution in the application of scientific and mathematical principles leading to a significant technical accomplishment.

Jenna L. Eppink, Research Aerospace Engineer, NASA Langley Research Center, honored “For exceptional engineering and technical innovation developing Lensless Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and a simple static-pressure-tap boundary-layer transition detection technique, expanding near-body flow-physics measurement capabilities.”

AIAA Lawrence Sperry Award

The award is presented for a notable contribution made by a young person, age 35 or under, to the advancement of aeronautics or astronautics. This award honors Lawrence B. Sperry, pioneer aviator and inventor, who died in 1923 in a forced landing while attempting a flight across the English Channel.

Thomas C. Underwood, Assistant Professor, University of Texas at Austin, honored “For pioneering contributions to air-breathing electric propulsion and plasma-enabled pathways for sustainable and in situ fuel production.”

AIAA Public Service Award

The award honors a person who has demonstrated sustained and visible support for aviation and space goals.

Thomas Zurbuchen, Professor of Space Science and Technology, ETH Zurich, honored “For bold and impactful leadership through energetic public service in space science, entrepreneurship, education, and NASA space program management.”

Daniel Guggenheim Medal

The Medal was established as an international award honoring an individual who makes notable achievements in advancing the safety and practicality of aviation. Jointly sponsored by AIAA,  American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), SAE International, and Vertical Flight Society (VFS), the Medal recognizes contributions to aeronautical research and education, the development of commercial aircraft and equipment, and the application of aircraft to the economic and social activities of the nation. 

Charbel Farhat, Vivian Church Hoff Professor of Aircraft Structures School of Engineering, Stanford University, honored “For pioneering advances in the computational mechanics of fluid–structure interaction, transforming simulation methodologies and enabling major breakthroughs in aircraft design and optimization.”

Contact: Rebecca Gray, [email protected], 804-397-5270

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 X/Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

AIAA Announces Class of 2026 Honorary Fellows and Fellows

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 15, 2025 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) proudly congratulates its newly elected Class of 2026 Honorary Fellows and Fellows. The class will be inducted during a ceremony on Monday, May 18, 2026, in Washington, DC.

“Congratulations to each member of the Class of 2026 AIAA Honorary Fellows and Fellows for their remarkable accomplishments. They are among the most respected names in the aerospace profession,” said Dan Hastings, AIAA President. “These distinguished individuals have earned the respect and admiration of the global science and engineering community. We are in awe of their creativity and exceptional contributions that have advanced aerospace.”

Honorary Fellow is AIAA’s highest distinction, recognizing preeminent individuals who have made significant contributions to the aerospace industry and who embody the highest possible standards in aeronautics and astronautics. In 1933, Orville Wright became the first AIAA Honorary Fellow. Today, 245 people have been named AIAA Honorary Fellow.

AIAA confers Fellow upon individuals in recognition of their notable and valuable contributions to the arts, sciences or technology of aeronautics and astronautics. Nominees are AIAA Associate Fellows. Since the inception of this honor 2,120 persons have been elected as an AIAA Fellow.

“The Class of 2026 Honorary Fellows and Fellows are impressive aerospace professionals. They are dreamers who have transformed our understanding of flight and exploration, pushing the boundaries of human potential. I am privileged to call them friends and colleagues. Their groundbreaking work reminds me that innovation is born from passion, persistence, and the audacious belief that we can always reach a little further than we thought possible,” added AIAA CEO Clay Mowry.

2026 AIAA Honorary Fellows

Laura J. McGill, Sandia National Laboratories
Daniel J. Scheeres, University of Colorado Boulder
Steven H. Walker, Lockheed Martin Corporation (retired)

2026 AIAA Fellows

William H. Ailor, III, The Aerospace Corporation (retired)
The Honorable Robert Behler, RFBehler Engineering and Consulting, LLC
Gillian Bussey, US Space Force
Simone D’Amico, Stanford University
Paul Danehy, NASA Langley Research Center
Juan M. de Bedout, RTX
Daniel Dumbacher, Purdue University
Miroslav Krstic, University of California San Diego
Sanjiva Lele, Stanford University
Arthur A. Mabbett, North Wind
Dan E. Marren, Marren Associates LLC
David M. McGowan, NASA Langley Research Center
Karl Wieland Naumann, kwnaumann Dynamic Technologies Expertise and Consulting
David Oh, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology
Paul H. Park, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Bell Helicopter, Northrop Grumman (retired)
Khanh D. Pham, Air Force Research Laboratory/Space Vehicles Directorate
Dawn R. Phillips, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
Ugo Piomelli, Queen’s University
Kurt Polzin, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
Rusty Powell, Astrion
Sukesh Roy, Spectral Energies, LLC
Hoyt Lee Sampson, Jr., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
Puneet Singla, Pennsylvania State University
Sonya T. Smith, Howard University
Kon-Well Wang, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Christopher Watkins, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation
James W. Weber, Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research & Engineering
David Williams, Illinois Institute of Technology

Contact: Rebecca Gray, [email protected], 804-397-5270

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 X/Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.