Tag: AIAA Press Release

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.

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

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman to Open ASCEND 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 6, 2026 – Reston, Va. – AIAA is pleased to welcome NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman back to the ASCEND stage to open ASCEND 2026 at 8 a.m., Tuesday, 19 May, Washington Hilton, Washington, DC. Isaacman first appeared at ASCEND in 2021, just after returning from commanding Inspiration4, the first all-civilian orbital spaceflight.

Registration for ASCEND 2026 is available online. Journalists should request a Press Pass.

Powered by AIAA, ASCEND is the world’s premier outcomes-focused, interdisciplinary space event designed to accelerate building our off-world future. Lockheed Martin is the Founding Sponsor of ASCEND. For ASCEND 2026, Commercial Space Federation (CSF) is the Premier Event Partner. Event partners include: BryceTech, ISS National Laboratory, Novaspace, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Space Force Association (SFA), Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), and The Aerospace Corporation.

Since 2020, ASCEND has promoted the collaborative, interdisciplinary, outcomes-driven community of professionals, students, and enthusiasts around the world who are accelerating humanity’s progress toward our off-world future.

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.

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:

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.

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 Announces 2026 Award Recipients

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 10, 2026 – Reston, Va. – AIAA announced today its roster of award recipients whose transformative work over the past year stands out in an industry already known for pushing boundaries in innovation. The awards will be presented at various events during the coming months, including at ASCEND 2026 and AIAA AVIATION Forum 2026.

For more information about the AIAA Honors and Awards program, contact Patricia A. Carr at [email protected].

2026 AIAA Aeroacoustics Award
This award is presented for an outstanding technical or scientific achievement resulting from an individual’s contribution to the field of aircraft community noise reduction.

Stephen A. Rizzi
NASA Langley Research Center
For substantial contributions to understanding and reducing noise impact on communities and air vehicles in areas of perception-influenced design, advanced air mobility, and acoustic fatigue.

To be presented: 32nd AIAA / CEAS Aeroacoustics Conference in Brussels, Belgium, 26–29 May

2026 AIAA Aerodynamics Award
This award is presented for meritorious achievement in the field of applied aerodynamics, recognizing notable contributions in the development, application, and evaluation of aerodynamic concepts and methods.

Walter Silva
NASA Langley Research Center
For seminal contributions to CFD-based unsteady aerodynamics, reduced-order models, visionary leadership in aeroelasticity, and internationally recognized excellence in teaching and research.

To be presented: AIAA AVIATION Forum 2026, San Diego, Calif., 8–12 June 2026

2026 AIAA F.E. Newbold V/STOL Award
This award recognizes outstanding creative contributions to the advancement and realization of powered lift flight in one or more of the following areas: initiation, definition and/or management of key V/STOL programs; development of enabling technologies, including critical methodology; program engineering and design; and/or other relevant related activities or combinations thereof which have advanced the science of powered lift flight.

Mark Douglass Moore
Whisper Aero
For 40 years of technical leadership in breakthrough VTOL and STOL technologies: a pioneer of distributed electric propulsion, eVTOL, and the advanced air mobility ecosystem.

To be presented: AeroTech in West Palm Beach, Fla., 2–4 June

2026 AIAA Fluid Dynamics Award
This award is presented for outstanding contributions to the understanding of the behavior of liquids and gases in motion as related to need in aeronautics and astronautics.

Brian J. Cantwell
Stanford University
For lifelong seminal advancements of fluid dynamics principles and turbulence modeling, including the development of a highly accurate Universal Velocity Profile for wall-bounded flows.

To be presented: AIAA AVIATION Forum 2026 in San Diego, Calif., 8–12 June 2026

2026 AIAA Ground Testing Award
This award is presented for outstanding achievement in the development or effective utilization of technology, procedures, facilities, or modeling techniques for flight simulation, space simulation, propulsion testing, aerodynamic testing, or other ground testing associated with aeronautics and astronautics.

Carson D. Slabaugh
Purdue University
For pioneering experimental research and dedicated mentorship that advanced aerospace propulsion through groundbreaking ground testing, benchmark datasets, community leadership, and translation of discoveries into national capabilities for flight.

To be presented: AIAA AVIATION Forum 2026 in San Diego, Calif., 8–12 June 2026

2026 AIAA Hap Arnold Award for Excellence in Aeronautical Program Management
This award is presented to an individual for outstanding contributions in the management of a significant aeronautical or aeronautical-related program or project.

Leonard Zentz
Navy Strategic Systems Program (retired)
Hypersonics Fellow, System Planning & Analysis
For programmatic and technical leadership of the U.S. Navy’s Conventional Prompt Strike effort leading to successful transition to Navy and Army prototype weapon systems.

To be presented: AIAA AVIATION Forum 2026 in San Diego, Calif., 8–12 June 2026

2026 AIAA Hypersonic Systems and Technologies Award
This award is presented to recognize outstanding sustained contributions and achievements in enabling technologies and/or the integration of technologies for system applications in the advancement of hypersonic flight.

Peter J. Erbland
Department of Defense, Amentum
For an unparalleled career dedicated to the advancement of hypersonic technologies and flight systems, exemplifying the greatest integrity, personability, passion, and technical excellence while elevating our professional community.

To be presented: 27th AIAA International Space Planes and Hypersonic Systems and Technology Conference in Naples, Italy, 7–9 July

2026 AIAA Jeffries Aerospace Medicine and Life Sciences Research Award
This award recognizes outstanding research accomplishments in aerospace medicine and space life sciences.

Robert Morrow
Sierra Space
For excellence in scientific and technical leadership toward the development of state-of-the-art plant growth facilities for spacecraft, enabling high-quality space life science research.

To be presented: 55th International Conference on Environmental Systems in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, 12–16 July 2026

2026 AIAA Multidisciplinary Design Optimization Award
This award is presented to an individual for outstanding contributions to the development and/or application of techniques of multidisciplinary design optimization in the context of aerospace engineering.

Anne Gazaix
Airbus Operations SAS
For pioneering contributions to simulation software, collaborative innovation, and the industrial adoption of MDO methodologies.

To be presented: AIAA AVIATION Forum 2026 in San Diego, Calif., 8–12 June 2026

2026 AIAA Plasmadynamics and Lasers Award
This award is presented to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the understanding of the physical properties and dynamical behavior of matter in the plasma state and lasers as related to aeronautics and astronautics.

Campbell D. Carter
Air Force Research Laboratory
In recognition of outstanding achievements in high-speed advanced laser diagnostics and development of laser-based measuring systems for combustion and fluid dynamics research.

To be presented: AIAA AVIATION Forum 2026 in San Diego, Calif., 8–12 June 2026

2026 AIAA Space Systems Award
This award recognizes outstanding achievements in the architecture, analysis, design, and implementation of space systems.

Johns Hopkins APL Parker Solar Probe Team
For achieving the first mission into a star’s atmosphere through unprecedented autonomy, thermal protection, mission design, and spacecraft design innovations.

To be presented: ASCEND 2026 in Washington, D.C., 19–21 May

2026 AIAA Theodor W. Knacke Aerodynamic Decelerator Systems Award
This award recognizes significant contributions that advance aeronautical or aerospace systems through research, development, and application of the art and science of aerodynamic decelerator technology.

Jean Potvin
Saint Louis University
For significant contributions to aerodynamic deceleration system science, data interpretation and integration, and education.

To be presented: AIAA Aerodynamic Decelerator Systems Conference and Seminar 2026 in collaboration with the Royal Aero Society, in London, United Kingdom, 1–5 June

2026 AIAA Thermophysics Award
This award is presented for an outstanding singular or sustained technical or scientific contribution by an individual in thermophysics, specifically as related to the study and application of the properties and mechanisms involved in thermal energy transfer and the study of environmental effects on such properties and mechanisms.

Christopher O. Johnston
NASA Langley Research Center
For groundbreaking advancements in the field of shock-layer radiative heating with significant impacts to entry vehicle designs, crew safety, and planetary protection threat assessments:

To be presented: AIAA AVIATION Forum 2026 in San Diego, Calif., 8–12 June 2026

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 Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X/Twitter.

ASCEND 2026 Assembles Space Industry’s Most Influential Voices in Washington, D.C.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 31, 2026 – Reston, Va. – AIAA announced today a powerful lineup of speakers who will take the stage at ASCEND 2026, 19–21 May, Washington Hilton, Washington, D.C. The event will address the most important opportunities and mission-critical challenges at this pivotal time for the space community.

“We are proud to bring the global space community to experience ASCEND in Washington, D.C. Eight leading organizations from across the industry are joining the ASCEND team this year and strengthening our content to deliver a must-attend event,” said AIAA CEO Clay Mowry.

“This year’s program is timely and transformative, as the space community looks to accelerate exploration and science. ASCEND 2026 will showcase the leading voices from space commerce, security, and policy to build our off-world future. It will be the most comprehensive gathering of space professionals in the nation’s capital in 2026 with 2,000 participants expected,” Mowry added.

Powered by AIAA, ASCEND is the world’s premier outcomes-focused, interdisciplinary space event designed to accelerate building our off-world future. Lockheed Martin is the Founding Sponsor of ASCEND. Commercial Space Federation (CSF) is the Premier Event Partner. Event partners include: BryceTech, ISS National Laboratory, National Air and Space Museum, Novaspace, Space Force Association (SFA), Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), and The Aerospace Corporation.

Over 200 industry luminaries from across the civil, commercial, and national security space sectors, adjacent industries, and the next-generation workforce are featured as speakers. Confirmed speakers include:

Erik Antonsen, M.D., Ph.D., Massachusetts General Hospital / Harvard Medical School
The Honorable Brian Babin (TX-36), Chair, House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
Olga Bannova, Research Professor, University of Houston
David Baumann, Director, Human Research Program, NASA
Harriet Brettle, Executive Director, Keck Institute for Space Studies
Will Bruey, CEO, Varda
Tory Bruno, President, Blue National Security, Blue Origin
A.C. Charania, Senior Vice President of Space Business Development, Zeno Power
Anne Cheever, Founder, Vela Scientific
Carissa Christensen, Founder and CEO, BryceTech
Jonathan Cirtain, CEO & President, Axiom Space
John Conafay, CEO, Integrate Space
Katie Cranor, Executive Director, Office of Operational Safety, Office of Commercial Space Transportation, FAA
Shawn Domagal-Goldman, Director, Astrophysics Division, NASA
Jonny Dyer, CEO, Muon Space
Shirley Dyke, Donald A. and Patricia A. Coates Professor of Innovation in Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University
Debra Facktor, Head of US Space Systems, Airbus US Space & Defense
David Goldstein, Principal Guidance, Navigation and Control Engineer, SpaceX
James “Jim” Green, CEO, Space Science Endeavors
Dana “Keoki” Jackson, Senior Vice President and General Manager, MITRE National Security, and AIAA President-Elect
Taylor Jordan, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Environmental Observation and Prediction, NOAA
Mike Kincaid, President & Executive Director, Challenger Center
Josef Koller, Head of Space Safety and Sustainability, Amazon Leo
Joe Landon, Co-Founder & President, Rendezvous Robotics
Kris Lehnhardt, M.D., Director, Space Medicine Program, UTHealth Houston
Dana Levin, Director of Space Medicine and Human Research, Vast Inc.
Janna Lewis, Senior Vice President, Policy & General Counsel, Astroscale US
Robert Lightfoot, President, Lockheed Martin Space
Laura Lucier, Chief, Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science Division, NASA
Ray Lugo, CEO, ISS National Laboratory
Sandra Magnus, Principal, AstroPlanetview LLC
Scott McLaughlin, Executive Director, Spaceport America
Kristen McQuinn, Mission Head, Roman Space Telescope, Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI)
Rob Meyerson, CEO, Interlune
Mike Moses, President, Spaceline, Virgin Galactic
Clay Mowry, CEO, AIAA
Michelle Murray, Deputy Director, Office of Strategic Management, Office of Commercial Space Transportation, FAA
Clive Neal, Professor of Planetary Geology, University of Notre Dame
Charles Norton, Chief Technology Strategist, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Michael Roberts, Chief Scientist, ISS National Laboratory
Ryan Shepperd, Lead SSA Engineer, Iridium
Erika Wagner, Lead, US Business Development, The Exploration Company-US
Matthew Weinzierl, Professor & Senior Associate Dean, Harvard Business School

Dynamic Sessions Featured All Week

Deep technical content scheduled. AIAA events are well known for the depth of technical content presented, with over 200 technical presentations and collaborative sessions at ASCEND. ISS National Laboratory will bring even more technical presentations from its microgravity community that has been conducting research onboard the orbiting lab.
CSF will host its two-day Commercial Space Policy Summit (CSPS), 19–20 May. From launch cadence and regulatory reform to lunar and orbital infrastructure, national security, and the future of commercial space stations, this year’s Summit will tackle the most pressing issues shaping the space economy. Registration for CSPS includes access to ASCEND.
The Aerospace Corporation will host a Classified Day at the TS/SCI level on 18 May at its Chantilly, Virginia, office, with additional registration required. Additionally, they will host the Space Transformation Track on 21 May, comprising sessions designed to accelerate the space industrial base and progress in national priority areas for space.
BryceTech will host its inaugural Start-up Space Pitch Competition. Start-ups from across space and space-adjacent industries (series A or earlier) can apply. Finalists will pitch start-up space experts during ASCEND 2026. One winner will receive a Start-up Space Advisory Package from BryceTech, a one-year AIAA Corporate Membership, and more. Applications are open through 19 April.
The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum will host a three-session deep dive into preserving the ISS National Laboratory as we prepare for its end of mission. Why save ISS heritage? What should be saved from the ISS? How will we recover items from ISS?
SGAC will host its SGx 2026 event, 17–18 May, focused on cultivating the next generation of space leaders with “lightning talks” followed by moderated Q&A panels that tackle pressing issues and innovative ideas to inspire the next generation of space leaders. Additional registration required through SGAC.

Early-Bird Registration Rates Available

Registration for ASCEND 2026 is open now, with early-bird rates available until 20 April. Journalists should request a Press Pass online.

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 X/Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

2026 AIAA von Kármán Lecture in Astronautics on Learning and Controlling Autonomous Space Systems to be Presented by Maruthi Akella from University of Texas at Austin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 31, 2026 – Reston, Va. – AIAA is pleased to announce the 2026 AIAA von Kármán Lecture in Astronautics is awarded to Maruthi Akella, Professor of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics at the University of Texas (UT) Austin, where he holds the Cockrell Family Endowed Chair in Engineering.

The lecture, “Opinion Dynamics, Learning, Trust, and Control of Autonomous Space Systems,” will be presented Wednesday, 20 May, at 12:15 p.m. ET, during ASCEND 2026, 19–21 May, Washington, D.C. The lecture will be delivered in person, as well as recorded. Registration for 2026 ASCEND is open now. Journalists can request a Press Pass online.

Autonomous space systems face significant challenges when operating under uncertainty, especially near other vehicles that may not cooperate. In applications like In-Space Servicing, Assembly and Manufacturing (ISAM), these systems must quickly learn, adapt, and make smart decisions in complex, unpredictable environments.

This lecture will showcase a framework for multithread learning designed to maintain spacecraft performance despite high uncertainty and fast variations. The approach builds on recently developed learning structures and trust metrics. During his lecture, Akella will illustrate the framework through ISAM examples in spacecraft guidance and proximity operations.

Akella’s research contributions have found several highly successful applications in astrodynamics and in the control of space systems and vision-guided robotics. His research group contributed to the onboard guidance algorithm for the Intuitive Machines IM-1 mission – the first U.S. moon landing in more than 50 years since the Apollo era.

Akella has published more than 260 research papers in peer-reviewed archival journals and conference proceedings. The major impacts of his work have been recognized through the AIAA Mechanics and Control of Flight Award, the AAS Dirk Brouwer Award, the IEEE-CSS Award for Excellence in Aerospace Control, and the Judith Resnik Space Award from the IEEE Aerospace and Electronic Systems Society.

In October 2024, the International Astronomical Union designated asteroid number 5376 – a nearly five-mile diameter-sized minor planet from the main asteroid belt as “Maruthiakella,” honoring Akella’s contributions to “many successful applications in astrodynamics.”

Akella is a Fellow of AIAA, IEEE, and AAS and holds the Academician rank with the International Academy of Astronautics. He currently serves as Editor-in-Chief for The Journal of the Astronautical Sciences.

Named in honor of Theodore von Kármán, a world-famous authority on aerospace sciences, this lectureship honors an individual who has performed notably and distinguished themselves technically in the field of astronautics.

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 Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X/Twitter.

2026 AIAA David W. Thompson Lecture in Space Commerce Presented by Blue Origin’s Tory Bruno During ASCEND 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 31, 2026 – Reston, Va. – AIAA is pleased to announce the 2026 AIAA David W. Thompson Lectureship in Space Commerce is awarded to Tory Bruno, President, Blue National Security, Blue Origin, and former president and CEO, United Launch Alliance (ULA).

Bruno’s lecture, “Transforming ULA: Shaping the Future of Space Launch,” will be presented Tuesday, 19 May, 12:15 p.m. ET, during ASCEND 2026, 19–21 May, Washington, D.C. The lecture will be delivered in person, as well as recorded and available on demand. Registration for ASCEND 2026 is open now. Journalists can request a Press Pass online.

Bruno’s lecture will address his leadership tenure at ULA which began in 2014, a pivotal time when the industry was on the precipice of a new competitive launch market. He implemented a business strategy to completely transform ULA to compete in a global commercial environment, while continuing to launch ULA’s customers’ critical missions with 100% mission success. Under Bruno’s leadership, ULA also began developing a new next-generation rocket, purpose-built to maintain the accurate delivery of the U.S. government’s most complex missions. As a testament to the company’s corporate change, ULA recently received the largest commercial rocket purchase in history.

Bruno is an expert in several rocketry and hypersonic technologies and holds multiple related patents. He is a tireless advocate for the industry, sharing his passion for space technology and his vision of a self-sustaining human presence beyond Earth. He joined Blue Origin in January 2026, overseeing the development of cutting-edge products, services, and technologies to enhance national security missions.

Bruno is an AIAA Honorary Fellow. He also is a former member of the Defense Innovation Board Space Advisory Committee and the National Academy of Engineering. Bruno has served on the National Space Council Users’ Advisory Group and as an advisor to the Vice President of the United States on space policy, regulation, and technology. He also has received the Von Braun Trophy, the von Karman Medal, a member of the Space and Satellite Professionals Hall of Fame, and a member of the San Diego Air & Space Museum International Hall of Fame.

The David W. Thompson Lectureship in Space Commerce recognizes a prominent industry leader or senior management team who has created or grown a space-related business and generated substantial economic benefits and market value. It was endowed by Orbital ATK to commemorate the long and distinguished career of commercial space pioneer, David W. Thompson.

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 Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X/Twitter.

Three Outstanding Teachers Honored with 2026 Trailblazing STEM Educator Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington and Reston, Va. (March 23, 2026) – Challenger Center and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) announce Laurie Hamzik, Kenji Nomura, and Lillian Reynolds as the winners of the 2026 Trailblazing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Educator Award. Each teacher and their respective schools will be awarded $5,000. Additionally, each teacher will receive free access to up to $3,000 in Challenger Center STEM programming and a trip to NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida, provided by Blue Origin’s Club for the Future.

This year marks the 5^th anniversary of the launch of the Trailblazing STEM Educator Award. AIAA and Challenger Center launched this prestigious award to celebrate K-12 educators who go above and beyond to inspire the next generation of explorers and innovators in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Each year, nominations for this award from across the country demonstrate the incredible creative efforts teachers make every day to empower students in STEM, both in and out of the classroom.

The three recipients of the 2026 award are:

Laurie Hamzik
Middle school science teacher at Saint Ambrose Catholic School (Brunswick, Ohio)
For over 35 years, Laurie Hamzik has helped students gain STEM experience beyond the classroom. She helps her students participate in a variety of STEM events throughout the year, including St. Ambrose School science fairs, the Northeast Ohio Science and Engineering Fair, Ohio State Science Days, and Young Astronaut Day. She regularly organizes tours of NASA Glenn Research Center, and provided insight on NASA’s “Sound Off Engineering Design Challenge” before the activity went nationwide in 2023. Hamzik has received the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Crystal Apple Award and the 2024 Ohio Academy of Science’s The Governor’s Thomas Edison Award for STEM Education and Student Research.

Kenji Nomura
STEM educator at Virginia Space Flight Academy (Wallops Island, Virginia)
Kenji Nomura is a STEM educator dedicated to expanding access to hands-on STEM learning and helping students see a future for themselves in the aerospace industry. With experience teaching math, astronomy, robotics, computer science, and engineering, Nomura engages students through project-based experiences that build curiosity, confidence, and problem-solving skills. An Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow supporting NASA Science Activation, Nomura creates makerspaces and engineering projects – from building data loggers to launching rockets and analyzing flight data – to help his students see themselves as explorers, innovators, and future STEM professionals.

Lillian Reynolds
Middle school STEM teacher at Voyager Public Charter School (Honolulu, Hawaii)
Lillian Reynolds connects STEM learning to real-world space exploration by building lessons around current events and research. Selected for NASA’s Astronomy Activation Ambassador program and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s Teacher Innovator Institute, Reynolds brings cutting-edge space science into the classroom. Her students tackle projects grounded in real science – from rover and solar design to analyzing Mars landing sites – and participate in initiatives such as the International Astronomical Union’s Exoplanet Naming Campaign, Challenger Center missions, and NASA’s TechRise Challenge, helping them see themselves as capable problem-solvers and future innovators.

“Great STEM educators do more than teach concepts. They spark curiosity and help students see themselves as part of humanity’s future of discovery,” said Mike Kincaid, President and Executive Director of Challenger Center. “Laurie Hamzik, Kenji Nomura, and Lillian Reynolds each bring extraordinary creativity, dedication, and real-world relevance to their classrooms. Through hands-on learning and authentic connections to science and space exploration, they are inspiring students to ask big questions, solve complex problems, and imagine the role they can play in shaping the future. We are proud to celebrate their impact and partner with AIAA to recognize educators who are truly trailblazing in STEM education.”

“This year’s Trailblazing STEM Educator Award winners exemplify what it means to go above and beyond. They are breaking barriers to access, connecting students to real careers in aerospace, and giving young people the confidence to envision themselves as the scientists and engineers our industry needs,” said Clay Mowry, AIAA CEO. “AIAA is thrilled to partner with Challenger Center to put meaningful resources behind their remarkable work. These three educators are building the STEM-literate workforce that will power the next era of aerospace innovation, and we are honored to support them.”

The 2026 Trailblazing STEM Educator Award recognizes the achievements and commitment of these educators and highlights the important role our teachers play in preparing the next generation of scientists, engineers, and explorers. Through this partnership, Challenger Center and AIAA remain committed to supporting teachers who bring innovative STEM experiences to students and inspire young people across the country to pursue discovery, exploration, and problem-solving in the classroom and beyond.

Media Contacts
Julia Austin, Challenger Center, [email protected], 202-827-1575
Rebecca Gray, AIAA, [email protected], 804-397-5270

About Challenger Center
As a leader in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education, Challenger Center provides hundreds of thousands of students annually with experiential education programs that engage students in hands-on learning opportunities. These programs, delivered in Challenger Learning Centers and classrooms, strengthen knowledge in STEM subjects and inspire students to pursue careers in these important fields. Challenger Center was created by the Challenger families to honor the crew of shuttle flight STS-51L. For more information about Challenger Center, please visit www.challenger.org or connect on Instagram, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

About AIAA Foundation
The AIAA Foundation inspires and supports the next generation of aerospace professionals. From classroom to career, the AIAA Foundation enables innovative K-12 and university programming, including STEM classroom grants, scholarships, conferences, and hands-on competitions. Founded in 1996, the AIAA Foundation is a nonprofit, tax-exempt educational organization connected to the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA).