Tag: Awards

AIAA to Present Aerospace Excellence Awards During 2024 ASCEND

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 28, 2024 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is pleased to announce the winners of two aerospace excellence awards to be presented during 2024 ASCEND, 30 July – 1 August, Caesars Forum, Las Vegas. Registration is open for the global aerospace community to attend. Journalists can request a Press Pass here.

2024 AIAA Hap Arnold Award for Excellence in Aeronautical Program Management
  • MiMi Aung, Director, Technical Program Management, Project Kuiper, Amazon
    (Formerly Project Manager for Ingenuity Mars Helicopter, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory)
  • Award Citation: For exceptional project management and leadership in delivery of the first aircraft on another planet, Ingenuity Mars Helicopter, advancing planetary exploration state of the art, and providing a new Mars exploration technology.

This award is presented to an individual for outstanding contributions in the management of a significant aeronautical or aeronautical-related program or project. The presentation is scheduled for Tuesday, 30 July, 8 a.m. PT.

2024 AIAA Space Systems Award
  • Elena Adams, DART Mission Systems Engineer, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
  • Elizabeth A. Congdon, DART Mechanical Systems Engineer, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
  • Geffrey K. Ottman, DART Electrical Systems Engineer, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
  • Evan James Smith, DART Deputy Mission Systems Engineer, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
  • Award Citation: For outstanding achievement in the development and operation of the DART spacecraft, completing humanity’s first in-space demonstration of planetary defense technology.

This award is presented to recognize outstanding achievements in the architecture, analysis, design, and implementation of space systems. The presentation is scheduled for Wednesday, 31 July, 8 a.m. PT.

AIAA is committed to ensuring that aerospace professionals are recognized and celebrated for their achievements, innovations, and discoveries that make the world safer, more connected, more accessible, and more prosperous. Visit AIAA’s Honors and Awards Program for more information.

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 aiaa.org or follow AIAA on X/Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram, and visit ascend.events or follow ASCEND on LinkedIn, X/Twitter, and Instagram.

AIAA Announces Class of 2024 Honorary Fellows and Fellows

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 8, 2024 – Reston, Va. –The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) proudly congratulates its newly elected Class of 2024 Honorary Fellows and Fellows. The class will be inducted during a ceremony on Tuesday, 14 May, in Washington, DC, and celebrated during the AIAA Awards Gala on Wednesday, 15 May, at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts*, Washington, DC. AIAA Awards Gala tickets are available now.

“The Class of 2024 AIAA Honorary Fellows and Fellows are among the most respected names in the aerospace profession. Congratulations to each member of this year’s class for their many accomplishments,” said Laura McGill, AIAA President. “These distinguished individuals have earned the respect and admiration of our broad science and engineering community. We are in awe of their creativity and exceptional contributions to advance the performance and capability of aerospace systems.”

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, 242 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 2,064 persons have been elected as an AIAA Fellow.

“AIAA takes great pride in honoring the Class of 2024 Honorary Fellows and Fellows. These professionals have made significant and lasting contributions to the aerospace community. Their passion and dedication are inspiring the generations that follow to reach even greater heights,” added Dan Dumbacher, AIAA CEO.

2024 AIAA Honorary Fellows
Hitoshi Kuninaka, Institute of Space and Astronautical Science / Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
John S. Langford III, Electra.aero
Azad M. Madni, University of Southern California
Christopher Scolese, National Reconnaissance Office

2024 AIAA Fellows
Igor Adamovich, Ohio State University
Stephen Blanchette Jr., The Aerospace Corporation
Ruxandra M. Botez, École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS)
Robert D. Cabana, NASA Headquarters (retired)
John R. Chawner, Pointwise (retired)
Charles J. Cross, U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory
Misty Davies, NASA Ames Research Center
Srinath Ekkad, North Carolina State University
Edward H. Gerding, The Boeing Company
John Mace Grunsfeld, Endless Frontier Associates LLC
Richard Hofer, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology
Yiguang Ju, Princeton University
Joseph Majdalani, Auburn University
Richard Mange, Lockheed Martin Corporation
J.D. McFarlan III, Lockheed Martin Corporation
Mehran Mesbahi, University of Washington
Clayton Mowry, Voyager Space / International Astronautical Federation
Alison Nordt, Lockheed Martin Space
Daniella Raveh, Technion – IIT
Gregory W. Reich, U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory
Katherine Rink, MIT Lincoln Laboratory
Donna Cowell Senft, Air Force Global Strike Command
Jeffrey P. Slotnick, The Boeing Company
S. Alan Stern, Southwest Research Institute
John Tylko, Aurora Flight Sciences, A Boeing Company
Craig Wanke, The MITRE Corporation
Annalisa Weigel, Fairmont Consulting Group
Lesley A. Weitz, The MITRE Corporation

* Note: This event is an external rental presented in coordination with the Kennedy Center Campus Rentals Office and is not produced by the Kennedy Center.

Contact: Rebecca B. 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  aiaa.org, and follow AIAA on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

AIAA Announces 2022-2023 Section Award Winners

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 23, 2023 Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) has announced its 2022–2023 section award winners. The section awards honor particularly notable achievements made by members of AIAA’s 57 sections around the world in a range of activities that help fulfill the Institute’s mission. Section awards are given annually in eight categories based on the size of each section’s membership. Each winning section receives a certificate and a cash award. The award period is 1 June 2022–31 May 2023.

“Across AIAA, local sections are where the action begins. We believe that vital, active sections are essential to the Institute’s success. Congratulations to these sections for their noteworthy achievements!” said AIAA Executive Director Dan Dumbacher.

The Outstanding Section Award is presented to sections based upon their overall activities and contributions through the year. The winners are:

VERY SMALL

  • First Place: Central Coast of California
  • Second Place: Adelaide
  • Third Place: Delaware
  • Honorable Mention: Melbourne

SMALL

  • First Place: Northwest Florida
  • Second Place: Wichita
  • Third Place: Palm Beach

MEDIUM

  • First Place: Tucson
  • Second Place: Greater Philadelphia
  • Third Place: Illinois

LARGE

  • First Place: Northern Ohio
  • Second Place: Cape Canaveral
  • Third Place: North Texas

VERY LARGE

  • First Place: Los Angeles-Las Vegas
  • Second Place: Hampton Roads
  • Third Place: Rocky Mountain

The Communications Award is presented to sections that have developed and implemented an outstanding communications outreach program. Winning criteria include level of complexity, timeliness, and variety of methods of communications, as well as frequency, format, and content of the communication outreach. The winners are:

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  • First Place (tie): Central Coast of California, Matthew Tanner (U.S. Air Force), communication officer
  • First Place (tie): Delaware, Jordon Wozney (Northrop Grumman Corporation), communications officer
  • Second Place: Point Lobos, Giovanni Minelli (Naval Postgraduate School), section chair
  • Third Place: Melbourne, Frank Papa (Spacelink Consulting), communications officer

aiaa.orgSMALL

  • First Place (tie): Long Island, David Paris, section chair
  • First Place (tie): Northwest Florida, Ryan Sherrill (Air Force Research Laboratory), section chair
  • Second Place: Utah, Michael Stevens (Northrop Grumman Corporation), section chair

MEDIUM

  • First Place: Greater Philadelphia, Jonathan Moore (Lockheed Martin Corporation), communications officer
  • Second Place: Illinois, Kenneth Brezinsky (University of Illinois Chicago), secretary; Andrew Touvannas (Woodward Inc), honors and awards officer; Laura Villafañe Roca (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign), section chair
  • Third Place: Tucson, Huntington Gazecki (Raytheon), communications officer

LARGE

  • First Place (tie): Northern Ohio, Edmond Wong (NASA Glenn Research Center), communications officer
  • First Place (tie): Atlanta, Neil Sutherland (Delta Air Lines TechOps), section chair
  • Second Place: Alburquerque, Elizabeth Kallman (Harvard University), communication officer
  • Third Place (tie): Cape Canaveral, Kevin Johnson (Jacobs Technology), section chair
  • Third Place (tie): North Texas, James Sergeant (Virgin Galactic), section chair

VERY LARGE

  • First Place: Los Angeles-Las Vegas, Kenneth Lui (Ken’s Consulting), section chair
  • Second Place: Hampton Roads, Lee Mears (NASA Langley Research Center), Newsletter Editor Officer
  • Third Place: Greater Huntsville, Tracie Prater (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center), section chair

The Membership Award is presented to sections that have supported their membership by planning and implementing effective recruitment and retention campaigns. The winners are:

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  • First Place: Delaware, Zachary Gent (Northrop Grumman Corporation), membership officer
  • Second Place: Adelaide, Patrick Neumann (Neumann Space), section chair
  • Third Place: Central Coast of California, Michelle Itzel-Montoya (U.S. Space Force), section chair

SMALL

  • First Place: Wichita, Mary Drouin (Spirit Aerosystems), membership officer
  • Second Place: Northwest Florida, Ryan Sherrill (AFRL), section chair
  • Third Place: Utah, Michael Stevens (Northrop Grumman), section chair

MEDIUM

  • First Place: Illinois, Andrew Touvannas (Woodward Inc), honors and awards officer
  • Second Place: Greater Philadelphia, Christina Layton (College of New Jersey), membership officer
  • Third Place: Tucson, Andrew Alexander (Raytheon), membership officer

LARGE

  • First Place: Northern Ohio, Jonah Sachs-Wetstone (NASA Glenn Research Center), membership officer
  • Second Place: Orange County, Bob Welge (Robert’s Engineering Development), membership officer
  • Third Place (tie): Atlanta, Aaron Harcrow (No Box Innovations), membership officer
  • Third Place (tie): St. Louis, Alexander Friedman (The Boeing Company), membership officer; Mark Kammeyer (The Boeing Company), university education officer

VERY LARGE

  • First Place: Hampton Roads, Richard Winski and Julia Cline (NASA Langley Research Center), membership officers
  • Second Place: Los Angeles-Las Vegas, Sherry Stukes (NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory), membership officer
  • Third Place: New England, Hiro Endo (Test Devices — Schenck USA Corporation), section chair

The Public Policy Award is presented for stimulating public awareness of the needs of aerospace research and development, particularly on the part of government representatives, and for educating section members about the value of public policy activities. The winners are:

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  • First Place: Delaware, Di Ena Davis, public policy officer
  • Second Place (tie): Adelaide, Patrick Neumann (Neumann Space), section chair
  • Second Place (tie): Central Coast of California, Michelle Itzel-Montoya (U.S. Space Force), section chair
  • Third Place: Melbourne, Kaja Antlej (Deakin University), section chair

SMALL

  • First Place (tie): Northwest Florida, Michael Kelton (U.S. Air Force), public policy officer
  • First Place (tie): Palm Beach, Kevin Simmons (BLUECUBE Aerospace), public policy officer

MEDIUM

  • First Place: Greater Philadelphia, Joi Spraggins (Legacy Bridges STEM Academy); public policy officer
  • Second Place: Illinois, Mordechai Levin (Masterflight Inc), public policy officer
  • Third Place: Tucson, Robert Tagtmeyer (Raytheon), public policy officer

LARGE

  • First Place: Northern Ohio, Michael Heil (ML Heil Consulting LLC), public policy officer
  • Second Place: Cape Canaveral, Linda Andruski (The Aerospace Company), public policy officer
  • Third Place: Albuquerque, Mark Fraser (U.S. Air Force), public policy officer

VERY LARGE

  • First Place (tie): Los Angeles-Las Vegas, Kenneth Lui (Ken’s Consulting), section chair; Roz Lowe (Delta Hi-Tech), public policy officer
  • First Place (tie): Rocky Mountain, Lisa Luedtke (Lockheed Martin Corporation), public policy officer
  • Second Place: Hampton Roads, Steven Dunn (Jacobs Technology), public policy officer
  • Third Place: Houston, Wayne Rast (CCP SW Safety), public policy officer

The STEM K–12 Award is presented to sections that have developed and implemented an outstanding STEM K–12 outreach program that provides quality education resources for K–12 teachers in the STEM subject areas. The winners are:

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  • First Place: Central Coast of California, Thomas Stevens (Space Launch Delta 30), STEM K-12 officer
  • Second Place (tie): Delaware, Daniel Nice (Northrop Grumman Corporation), section chair
  • Second Place (tie): Point Lobos, Giovanni Minelli (Navel Postgraduate School), section chair
  • Third Place: Adelaide, Patrick Neumann (Neumann Space), section chair

SMALL

  • First Place: Palm Beach, Shawna Christenson (Aerospace and Innovation Academy), STEM K-12 officer; and Kevin Simmons (BLUECUBE Aerospace), public policy officer
  • Second Place: Northwest Florida, Judith Sherrill (AFRL), STEM K-12 officer
  • Third Place: Northern New Jersey, Raymond Trohanowsky (Army Futures Command), section chair

MEDIUM

  • First Place: Tucson, Michelle Rouch (Artwork by Rouch), STEM K-12 officer
  • Second Place: Phoenix, Paul Kaup (STEM+C Inc), STEM K-12 officer
  • Third Place: Greater Philadelphia, Christopher Reynolds (Lockheed Martin Corporation), STEM K-12 officer

LARGE

  • First Place (tie): Cape Canaveral, Melissa Sleeper, STEM K-12 officer
  • First Place (tie): St. Louis, Jackie Blumer (Greenville Jr. High School), STEM K-12 officer
  • Second Place: Orange County, Binay Pandey (International Vitamin Corporation), STEM K-12 officer
  • Third Place: Northern Ohio, Jonathan Kratz (NASA Glenn Research Center), STEM K-12 officer

VERY LARGE

  • First Place: Hampton Roads, Amanda Chou and Karen Berger (NASA Langley Research Center), STEM K-12 officers
  • Second Place (tie): Greater Huntsville, Robin Osborne (ERC), STEM K-12 officer
  • Second Place (tie): National Capital, Susan Bardenhagen, STEM K-12 officer
  • Third Place: Los Angeles-Las Vegas, Arpie Ovsepyan (Herbert Hoover High School), STEM K-12 officer

The Section-Student Branch Partnership Award recognizes the most effective and innovative collaboration between the professional section members and student branch members.

VERY SMALL

  • First Place: Central Pennsylvania, Puneet Singla (Pennsylvania State University), section chair
  •  Second Place: Adelaide, Harry Rowton (University of Adelaide), student branch liaison
  • Third Place: Central Coast of California, Eva McLaughlin, education officer

SMALL

  • First Place: Wichita, Linda Kliment (Wichita State University), education officer
  • Second Place: Twin Cities, Kristen Gerzina (Northrop Grumman Corporation), section chair
  • Third Place: Sydney, Tjasa Boh Whiteman (University of New South Wales), section chair; Ramzel Liwanag (University of New South Wales), vice chair

MEDIUM

  • First Place: Illinois, Laura Villafañe Roca (University of Illinois Urbana Champaign), section chair
  • Second Place: Tucson, Peter Olejnik, young professional officer
  • Third Place: Greater Philadelphia, Jonathan Moore (Lockheed Martin Corporation), section chair

LARGE

  • First Place: North Texas, James Sergeant (Virgin Galactic), section chair
  • Second Place: St. Louis, Alexander Friedman (The Boeing Company), membership officer; Mark Kammeyer (The Boeing Company), university education officer
  • Third Place (tie): Cape Canaveral, J. Keith Sowell (Star Voyager), education officer
  • Third Place (tie): Central Florida, Walter Hammond (Walter Sierra LLC), section chair
  • Third Place (tie): Orange County, Dino Roman (Boeing Commercial Airplanes), section chair

VERY LARGE

  • First Place: New England, Thomas “Phoenix” Robbins, outreach officer; Charles Wilson, advisor
  • Second Place: Rocky Mountain, Cordero Orona (Lockheed Martin Space Systems), outreach officer
  • Third Place (tie): Hampton Roads, Soumyo Dutta (NASA Langley Research Center), section chair
  • Third Place (tie): Los Angeles-Las Vegas, Luis Cuevas (Lockheed Martin Corporation), young professional chair
  • Third Place (tie): National Capital, David Brandt (Lockheed Martin Corporation), section chair

The Young Professional Activity Award is presented for excellence in planning and executing events that encourage the participation of the Institute’s young professional members, and provide opportunities for leadership at the section, regional, or national level. The winners are:

VERY SMALL

  • First Place: Delaware, Taylor Coleman, young professional officer
  • Second Place: Adelaide, Daniel Kilonzo (University of Adelaide), young professional officer
  • Third Place: Melbourne, Kaja Antlej (Deakin University), section chair

SMALL

  • First Place: Northwest Florida, Prashant Ganesh (University of Florida), young professional officer
  • Second Place: Utah, Michael Stevens (Northrop Grumman Corporation), section chair
  • Third Place: Twin Cities, Kristen Gerzina (Northrop Grumman Corporation), section chair

MEDIUM

  • First Place: Antelope Valley, Joseph Piotrowski (NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center), young professional officer
  • Second Place: Indiana, Robert Kapaku (Rolls-Royce), young professional officer
  • Third Place (tie): Greater Philadelphia, Jonathan Moore (Lockheed Martin Corporation), section  chair
  • Third Place (tie): Illinois, Savas Mavridis (Northrop Grumman Mission Systems), vice chair
  • Third Place (tie): Tucson, Peter Olejnik, young professional officer

LARGE

  • First Place (tie): Cape Canaveral, Kineo Wallace (Vaya Space), young professional officer
  • First Place (tie): Northern Ohio, Halle Buescher (NASA Glenn Research Center), young professional officer
  • Second Place: North Texas, James Sergeant (Virgin Galactic), section chair

VERY LARGE

  • First Place: Hampton Roads, Kyle Thompson (NASA Langley Research Center), young professional officer
  • Second Place: Los Angeles-Las Vegas, Courtney Best (The Boeing Company), young professional officer
  • Third Place (tie): Greater Huntsville, Christopher Kitson (nou Systems), young professional officer
  • Third Place (tie): New England, Shreyas Hegde (Pratt & Whitney), section chair

The Outstanding Activity Award allows the Institute to acknowledge sections that held an outstanding activity deserving of additional recognition. The winners are:

VERY SMALL:

  • Melbourne, International Moon Day 2022 event—”The (Re)birth of Australia in Space: Towards Sustainable Lunar Exploration.” As Australia looks to go to the moon for the first time, no earlier than 2026 through the development of a Foundation Services Rover, AIAA Adelaide Section and the Moon Village Association partnered on an event to celebrate the UN’s International Moon Day 2022. The (Re)birth of Australia in Space brought together highly recognized Australian and U.S. speakers in the areas of space archaeology, space history, space law and heritage, space industry and space studies who discussed the past, present, and future of Australian involvement in sustainable lunar exploration. The event was well received, including discussion with the panelists at the end of the session. At the event, AIAA announced the intention to establish the AIAA Melbourne Section.

SMALL:

  • Long Island, “Landing on the Moon” at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. AIAA partnered with IISE, ASME, ISA, IEEE (AESS) for this hybrid event with presenter John Connolly, a member of NASA’s Artemis team and Human Landing System Program. Connolly drew upon his 36 years of NASA expertise, including lunar lander design, lunar surface systems, and human Mars mission planning experience, to describe the Grumman-built lunar module (LM) and the differences between that original lunar lander and the SpaceX lander that will carry astronauts to the moon within the next three years and then take humans to Mars and beyond. He also made a point of explaining that the mission fundamentals have not changed over the last 50 years.
  • Honorable Mention, Wichita, “To the Moon and To the Planets Beyond: What is the Future of the Artemis HLS.” This joint event between the AIAA Wichita Section, and the Kansas University, University of Missouri Kansas City, and Wichita State University student branches was planned to engage all of the student branches in the section to build bridges and encourage collaboration. The featured speaker, Alicia Dwyer Cianciolo, Senior Technical Lead for Advanced Entry, Descent and Landing Vehicle Technology Development at NASA Langley Research Center, provided a fascinating talk focusing primarily on the various challenges facing the Artemis III Human Landing System mission. She also covered her experience with Mars exploration over the past 20 years, including her work on the Odyssey and Reconnaissance Orbiter aerobraking operations and as a member of the Entry, Descent and Landing Team that successfully landed the Curiosity Rover in 2012 and the InSight lander in 2018. In-person attendance was encouraged to promote networking and collaboration between the student branches and professional members, but there was a hybrid component to enable a much wider reach. The event was received very enthusiastically by all participants and will serve as a model for future events.

MEDIUM:

  • Antelope Valley, First Flights in the Antelope Valley. This large dinner event at the Hellenic Center in Lancaster, Calif., was moderated by Colonel Grant Mizell. A First Flight Consideration Panel, including Dan Canin, Bob Hood, and Evan Thomas, discussed first flight experience with the Stratolauncher, B-2, and the upcoming X-59. Doug Shane also presented on “Reflections on First Flight from a Pilot’s Perspective.” The section secured an agreement with SETP/SFTE to agree on even cost/profit, and headed primary planning meetings to organize the dinner, manage event costs, design and purchase awards, promote the event with flyers and programs, and prepare an onsite report.
  • Honorable Mention, Phoenix, “Taking Flight.” This event was organized as a hands-on learning, immersive experience in aviation, aeronautics, aerospace, robotics, UAV/UAS, and many more STEM-related areas of interest. The event helped demonstrate the STEM applicability of hobbies including: students had the opportunity to “Buddy Box” with an instructor and fly a trainer RC airplane, a multi-rotor vehicle, or an RC car or truck. Students also had the opportunity to build small model rockets with the help of model rocketry volunteers. There were opportunities for students to learn about the many different STEM enrichment programs from all over the valley. In addition, schools from around the state were invited to showcase their engineering, aviation, aerospace, and robotics programs, and professionals spoke with students about career choices in the applicable fields.

LARGE (tie):

  • Cape Canaveral-Palm Beach, Small Satellite Education Conference. The 2022 Small Satellite Education Conference was an inaugural activity created by two AIAA members: one from Palm Beach and the other from Cape Canaveral. The Center for Space Education was the venue perfect for the conference, where they focused on presenting various technical topics around small satellites to students, educators, professors, and industry veterans. The goal was to foster both the idea that anyone, professional, collegiate, or even middle school level, could develop a small satellite program and win an opportunity to have their project sent into space. Attendees also had the opportunity to visit various vendor booths to learn about more technologies, learn about local college programs, and see what several middle schools had accomplished over the past year. Additionally, students from middle school to early professional, and several veterans (industry and academia), gave presentations. They offered several scholarships and various awards for different design and art competitions.

LARGE (tie):

  • Niagara Frontier, X-1 75th Anniversary Commemoration. This event commemorated the 75th anniversary, to the day, of the Bell X-1 breaking the sound barrier on 14 October 1947. The very first X-plane, then known as the XS-1 for eXperimental Supersonic, was designed and built at the Bell Aerospace plant in Niagara Falls. The keynote speaker, Richard Hallion, past Chief Historian of the U.S. Air Force and author of numerous books and articles on the X-1 and supersonic flight, spoke on “Buffalo, Bell, and the XS-1: A 75th Anniversary Perspective.” Hallion was introduced by Bill Barry, past NASA Chief Historian, who discussed the roots of Hallion’s X-1 research in the NASA History Office. The hybrid event consisted of dinner for 110 individuals at the Calspan hangar, including a large group from the AIAA student branch at the State University of New York-Buffalo, and 38 attendees via Zoom. The event also included a walking tour of the original X-1 loading pit next to Bell plant where the aircraft was built. Paul Schifferle, Calspan VP for Flight Research, gave a tour of the Calspan experimental variable stability aircraft to the students.

LARGE (tie):

  • Northern Ohio, Young Astronauts Day. The 28th Annual Young Astronaut Day (YAD) event was held on 5 November 2022, at Cleveland State University (CSU). After a two-year hiatus, the section’s long-standing STEM outreach event successfully returned with participation from 27 teams comprising over 165 K-12 students and nearly 60 parents and teachers. NASA Senior Research Engineer Diane Linne (recently retired from NASA Glenn Research Center) provided an inspiring keynote address in which she recapped her decorated career and taught some valuable lessons, both academic and non-academic. Linne highlighted her recent work considering the establishment of sustainable human presence on the moon and Mars through the generation and use of resources from indigenous materials, which includes building the infrastructure to refine and distribute fuel locally. Linne punctuated her talk by providing opportunities for the students to engage and participate in numerous demonstrations.

VERY LARGE (tie):

  • Los Angeles-Las Vegas, “DC-X/XA—The Genesis of Fully Reusable Access to Space.” The amazing vertical launching and landing capabilities of the SpaceX and Blue Origin rockets are very exciting. NASA’s DC-X/XA was 20+ years ahead of SpaceX or Blue Origin, but the facts and histories of the NASA DC-X/XA rockets are rarely mentioned. This event was an opportunity for attendees to experience the thrills and be inspired by the leaders of this groundbreaking and historic project! Event speakers included Dan Dumbacher (AIAA), Jess Sponable (New Frontier Aerospace (NFA), Inc.), Joaquin H. Castro (Aerojet Rocketdyne), James R. French (JRF Aerospace Consulting LLC), and Jeff Laube (The Aerospace Corporation). Members from the NASA DC-X/XA team participated, spoke, and volunteered to help. It was truly beneficial and inspiring. In addition to the 101 attendees at the 12 December 2022 event, there also have been 1,155 views on the video posted online.

VERY LARGE (tie):

  • Rocky Mountain, NSBE-AIAA Space Operations Forum 2023. AIAA Rocky Mountain Section (RMS) and Dexter Johnson of NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) from Glenn Research Center collaborated on a new networking event to help increase diversity and inclusion (D&I) within the Colorado aerospace community. The 1st Annual Space Operations Forum (SOF-2023), held 16–17 February at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), was a unique and successful opportunity for AIAA RMS to work directly on a D&I event with the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Space City Professionals (SCP) chapter in Houston, Texas. NASA officials gave presentations discussing how to transition from the International Space Station (ISS) to commercial low Earth orbit destinations as the ISS will be decommissioned in 2030. The forum was designed as a networking, working group event to produce a set of ideas from underrepresented professionals and students. Five working groups, including one with our virtual participants, were asked two primary questions by NASA. The solutions formulated by the working groups were presented at the end of the forum to NASA Johnson Space Center representatives. Additionally, Ball Aerospace hosted a facility tour for the group in Boulder, Colorado.

 

AIAA 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 aiaa.org, or follow AIAA on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

AIAA to Recognize Excellence with Awards at the 2023 AIAA AVIATION Forum

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 15, 2023 – Reston, Va. – May 15, 2023 – Reston, Va.  –The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is pleased to announce the winners of technical and management excellence awards to be presented during the 2023 AIAA AVIATION Forum, 12–16 June, San Diego. Registration is open for the worldwide aviation community to attend. Journalists who wish to cover the forum can request a Press Pass here.

“We are proud to recognize these accomplished individuals for their influence on aviation,” said Dan Dumbacher, AIAA executive director. “These visionaries and technological leaders inspire us as we benefit from their efforts working toward a safer, more connected, more accessible, and more prosperous world.”

2023 AIAA Aeroacoustics Award
Yueping Guo, NASA Langley Research Center

Award Citation: For significant contributions to understanding airframe noise and acoustic scattering and application in development of state-of-the-art, system-level prediction methods enabling innovative noise reduction.

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

2023 AIAA Aerodynamics Award
Roy J. Hartfield Jr., Auburn University

Award Citation: For the development of fast and practical predictive approaches to the problem of aerodynamic analysis of air vehicles at both conceptual and preliminary design stages.

The AIAA Aerodynamics 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.

2023 AIAA Aircraft Design Award
Adnan Raghdo, The Boeing Company

Award Citation: For leadership of the Boeing MQ-28A design team, a stealth, multirole, UAS, force multiplier aircraft capable of teaming with crewed aircraft and performing autonomous missions.

The AIAA Aircraft Design Award is presented to an individual or team for an original concept or career contributions leading to a significant advancement in aircraft design or design technology.

2023 AIAA Chanute Flight Test Award
Mark P. Stucky, Blue Origin

Award Citation: For being at the forefront of design, analysis, instruction, and flying in the military, NASA, and civilian flight test for over 40 years.

The AIAA Chanute Flight Test Award honors Octave Chanute, pioneer aeronautical investigator, and is presented for an outstanding contribution made by a pilot or test personnel to the advancement of the art, science, and technology of aeronautics.

2023 AIAA F.E. Newbold Award
Lars Blackmore, SpaceX

Award Citation: For vehicle-level design and the development of critical guidance and control technologies to achieve precision vertical landing of space rockets, and advance their viability through full reusability.

The F. E. Newbold V/STOL 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 that have advanced the science of powered lift flight.

2023 AIAA Fluid Dynamics Award
Kozo Fujii, Tokyo University of Science

Award Citation: For many pioneering contributions to robust and efficient computational algorithms and their application to solve major industrial challenges using leading-edge supercomputers.

The AIAA Fluid Dynamics 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.

2023 AIAA Ground Testing Award
Luca Maddalena, University of Texas at Arlington

Award Citation: For pioneering contributions in the development of arc-heated test facilities, advanced optical diagnostics, and data processing.

The AIAA Ground Testing 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.

2023 AIAA Hap Arnold Award for Excellence in Aeronautical Program Management
Parimal Kopardekar, NASA Aeronautics Research Institute

Award Citation: For excellence in developing a concept, initiating, and managing NASA UAS Traffic Management research as well as setting up a novel collaborative approach that resulted in a global impact for integrating new entrants into airspace systems.

The AIAA Hap Arnold Award for Excellence in Aeronautical Program Management was named in honor of General Henry “Hap” Arnold, a lifelong devotee to the concept of air power and Chief of the Army Corps in 1938. The award is presented to an individual for outstanding contributions in the management of a significant aeronautical or aeronautical-related program or project.

2023 AIAA Hypersonics Systems and Technologies Award
Joseph A. Schetz, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Award Citation: For sustained contributions to hypersonics through graduate education of a large cadre of Ph.D. students and seminal research on high-speed aerodynamics, heat transfer, and propulsion.

The AIAA Hypersonics Systems and Technologies Award recognizes outstanding sustained contributions and achievements in enabling technologies and/or the integration of technologies for system applications in the advancement of hypersonic flight.

2023 AIAA Losey Atmospheric Sciences Award
Jeanne G. Mason, Boeing Commercial Airplanes (retired)

Award Citation: For exceptional service to aviation safety for aircraft icing by organizing and directing partnerships that invest in solutions to understand convective weather ice crystal phenomena.

In 1940, the AIAA Robert M. Losey Award was established in memory of Captain Robert M. Losey, a meteorological officer who was killed while serving as an observer for the U.S. Army, the first officer in the service of the United States to die in World War II. This award recognizes outstanding contributions to the atmospheric sciences as applied to the advancement of aeronautics and astronautics.

2023 AIAA Thermophysics Award
Michael Wright, NASA Ames Research Center

Award Citation: For outstanding contributions to improving thermophysical models and simulation capabilities for high-enthalpy flows, and for leadership and dedication to NASA missions and the aerothermodynamic community.

The AIAA Thermophysics 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.

Media Contact: Rebecca Gray, APR, [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 aiaa.org, and follow AIAA on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

USAF Awards Boeing Contract for Fleet of E-7A Aircraft

Air Force Times reports that the US Air Force (USAF) has awarded The Boeing Company a contract “worth up to $1.2 billion to start work on the first E-7A battle management and command-and-control aircraft, with plans to field a fleet of 26 in total, the service said Tuesday.” The E-7 is a “modernized battlefield management aircraft originally developed for the Royal Australian Air Force and dubbed the Wedgetail.” Countries currently flying or planning to fly the E-7 include the UK, South Korea, and Turkey. The USAF said that the E-7 “will provide advanced airborne moving target indication, battle management and command-and-control capabilities.” It will also “carry an advanced multirole, electronically scanned array radar for better airborne battle management, which will allow the U.S. and its allies to carry out long-range strikes against advanced enemies, the service said.”
Full Story (Air Force Times)

Challenger Center and AIAA Announce Inaugural Winners of Trailblazing STEM Educator Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Five STEM educators and schools receive cash award and free STEM programming

Washington and Reston, Va. – March 15, 2022 – Challenger Center and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) today announced Jackie Blumer, Jennifer Cheesman, Kellie Taylor, Cedric Turner, and Katrina Harden Williams as the winners of the 2022 Trailblazing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Educator Award. Each teacher, and their respective schools, will be awarded $5,000. In addition, each teacher will receive free access to Challenger Center STEM programming. One of the five educators will be named the grand prize winner and be invited to join Club for the Future, Blue Origin’s nonprofit, at a future New Shepard launch.

The award celebrates K-12 teachers going above and beyond to inspire the next generation of explorers and innovators. The five winners come from schools across the United States and were selected from over 40 nominations. The nominations demonstrated the incredible efforts the teachers make to empower underserved and underrepresented students in STEM while using unique strategies, tools, and lessons in and out of the classroom to further energize students, especially throughout the difficult circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2022 Trailblazing STEM Educator Award recipients are (in alphabetical order):

  • Jackie Blumer, 6th and 7th grade science teacher, Greenville Junior High School (Greenville, Ill.). Blumer has over two decades of experience teaching STEM to K-12 students. A passionate space science educator, Blumer uses live rocket launches, engineering design challenges, and hands-on programs to excite her students about STEM. She has been at the forefront of the use of digital programs in the classroom, utilizing virtual missions when field trips were no longer an option. She also organizes STEM-focused after-school activities and camps for students. Blumer also serves as AIAA St. Louis Section STEM Chair.
  • Jennifer Cheesman, 6th grade science teacher, Zuni Hills Elementary School (Sun City, Ariz.). Cheesman has spent 26 years teaching and is dedicated to integrating high-level concepts into engaging and easily understandable methods. For example, she created the “Lab in a Bag” engineering design program, sending engineering kits to students’ homes while they were learning virtually to continue STEM engagement. Cheesman is heavily involved in local STEM organizations including AIAA, Higher Orbits, and STEM Teachers PHX. She also spent time teaching STEM in China and Vietnam. Prior to being a classroom teacher, Cheesman was a Flight Director at a Challenger Learning Center.
  • Kellie Taylor, 2nd and 3rd grade teacher, Hawthorne Elementary School (Boise, Idaho). Taylor has prioritized STEM in her classroom for her entire 18-year career, focusing on project-based learning with a strong emphasis on coding, robotics, space education, and hands-on programs. She leads STEM curriculum development, hosts STEM-focused after-school activities, and shares her passion for STEM education by leading professional development workshops for her colleagues.
  • Cedric Turner, high school teacher, Brockton High School (Brockton, Mass.). Turner has more than 30 years of experience teaching STEM in the Boston area. He focuses on inspiring the next generation of minority and underrepresented students in STEM through his after-school program, “Empower Yourself,” lunch and learn programs that connect students to local STEM professionals and STEM competitions, and educate students about wealth management and economic success. At the onset of the pandemic, Turner worked with local partners to obtain personal computers and internet services for his students.
  • Katrina Harden Williams, middle school teacher, Ames Middle School (Ames, Iowa). Williams has been an educator for over 28 years. She is enthusiastic about connecting real-world STEM careers and lessons to the classroom, as well as exposing underserved and underrepresented students to STEM disciplines and careers. During the pandemic, she creatively taught her students about PPE and other COVID support programs. She frequently hosts STEM-focused after-school activities, field trips, and career expos.

“We are thrilled to award each of these teachers with the Trailblazing STEM Educator Award. Their commitment and creativity to transform complex STEM lessons into fun and accessible curriculum is key to getting students excited about the world of possibilities STEM offers,” said Lance Bush, president and CEO, Challenger Center. “Thanks to teachers like Jackie, Jennifer, Kellie, Cedric, and Katrina, the future of our workforce, and the future of STEM education, is in great hands.”

Even as the U.S. aerospace and defense industry leads the world in innovation, it faces challenges with the workforce: a skills gap of STEM-literate students entering the industry, a need for greater participation by women and ethnic minorities, and a growing knowledge gap from early retirements. Based on the “2021 AIAA State of the Industry Report,” nearly 50% of respondents believe an increased focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion by aerospace industry employers will help increase the pipeline of skilled, competent aerospace professionals.

“The inaugural Trailblazing STEM Educator Award winners are incredible people! We are pleased to recognize these passionate and inspirational educators who are invaluable to their communities. They are enabling a diverse and robust STEM next generation and together they are shaping the future of aerospace,” said Dan Dumbacher, executive director, AIAA.

The five winners will be recognized, and the grand prize winner will be announced, at the 2022 AIAA Awards Gala. The Gala is scheduled for April 27 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, Washington, DC. The evening celebrates the most influential and inspiring individuals in aerospace. Tickets are available now. The five winners also will be celebrated in their local communities in the coming weeks.

Each winner can select from Challenger Center’s suite of hands-on, simulated learning experiences based on their classes’ needs. Center Missions, delivered at Challenger Learning Centers around the globe; Virtual Missions, delivered by Challenger Learning Center Flight Directors to students in and out of the classroom; and Classroom Adventures, digital experiences delivered by teachers in their classrooms, bring classroom lessons to life through exciting Earth and space-themed journeys.

About Challenger Center
As a leader in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education, Challenger Center provides more than 250,000 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-51-L. For more information about Challenger Center, please visit www.challenger.org or connect on Facebook, Twitter, 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).

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

Contact:
AIAA: Rebecca B. Gray, [email protected], 804-397-5270 cell
Challenger Center: Lisa Vernal, [email protected], 412-337-3880

AIAA to Present Premier Lectures and Technical Excellence Awards During 2021 ASCEND

UPDATED October 11, 2021 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is pleased to announce the winners of the premier lectureships and technical excellence awards. The lectures and awards will be presented during 2021 ASCEND, the centerpiece event of the interdisciplinary community focused on building humanity’s off-world future faster. 2021 ASCEND will be held 8–10 and 15–17 November; registration is open now.

2021 David W. Thompson Lecture in Space Commerce: “Birth of the Remote Sensing Industry” PLEASE NOTE DR. SCOTT’S LECTURE NAME IS UPDATED

  • Walter Scott, Chief Technology Officer, Maxar
  • Monday, 15 November, 1830–1930 hrs PT
  • This lecture will be given live and in person at 2021 ASCEND in Las Vegas, as well as recorded and available on demand.
  • Dr. Scott also will participate in the Space Founders Panel during 2021 ASCEND, Tuesday, 16 November, 1730 hrs PT.

2021 von Kármán Lecture in Astronautics: “Multi-Domain Convergence of Space and Near-Space ”

  • David Van Wie, Head, Air and Missile Defense Sector, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
  • Tuesday, 16 November, 1200–1300 hrs PT
  • This lecture will be given live and in person at 2021 ASCEND in Las Vegas, as well as recorded and available on demand.

David W. Thompson Lectureship in Space Commerce
The 2021 David W. Thompson Lectureship in Space Commerce has been awarded to Walter Scott, Chief Technology Officer, Maxar. The lectureship 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. The award was endowed by Orbital ATK Inc. to commemorate the long and distinguished career of commercial space pioneer, David W. Thompson.

As Maxar’s Chief Technology Officer, Dr. Scott is responsible for the company’s next-generation commercial remote sensing systems, R&D, software architecture, and government relations/public policy. He founded DigitalGlobe in 1992, which became part of Maxar in 2017, and received the first high resolution commercial remote sensing license from the U.S. government. Today, Maxar operates a four-satellite imaging constellation with the best resolution, revisit, accuracy, and greatest capacity in the industry.

From 1986 through 1992, Dr. Scott was with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where he led the “Brilliant Pebbles” program, a constellation of small (microsat) space-based interceptors for the Strategic Defense Initiative. Prior to LLNL, Dr. Scott founded Scott Consulting, where he developed Unix networking subsystems, and a pioneering email system utilizing public key encryption.

Dr. Scott was named Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young in 2004 for the Rocky Mountain Region in the Emerging Technology category. He serves on the board of the SSPI (Space & Satellite Professionals International), and is a member of the Landsat Advisory Group, supporting the United States Geological Survey, and on the Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles Directorate Independent Advisory Team.

von Kármán Lectureship in Astronautics
David Van Wie, Head of the Air and Missile Defense Sector of the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHUAPL), has been awarded the 2021 von Kármán Lectureship in Astronautics. Named in honor of Theodore von Kármán, a world-famous authority on aerospace sciences, the lectureship honors an individual who has performed notably and distinguished themselves technically in the field of astronautics.

At JHUAPL, Dr. Van Wie is responsible for strategic planning and execution of programs advancing the ability of the United States to defend itself and its allies against surface, air, hypersonic, and ballistic threats. Prior to his current appointment, he served as Mission Area Executive for Precision Strike, focusing on advanced weapon development, electromagnetic spectrum dominance, and novel long-range detection and targeting systems.

Dr. Van Wie is a member of the National Academy of Engineering, an AIAA Fellow, and a recipient of the Air Force Award for Meritorious Civilian Service. He served as a member of the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board and the National Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board, and has conducted studies for the Defense Science Board, Air Force Studies Board, and Naval Studies Board.

An active member of the U.S. science and technology community, Dr. Van Wie has published more than 140 papers in the fields of hypersonics, high-temperature fluid dynamics, airbreathing propulsion, and plasma aerodynamics.

AIAA Technical Excellence Awards
The following aerospace professionals will be recognized throughout 2021 ASCEND for their outstanding contributions in their field, having been chosen by their peers from related AIAA technical committees (TC). AIAA is committed to ensuring that aerospace professionals are recognized and celebrated for their achievements, innovations, and discoveries that make the world safer, more connected, more accessible, and more prosperous. Visit AIAA’s Honors and Awards Program for more information.

AIAA Hypersonic Systems and Technologies Award
Dr. Steven H. Walker, Lockheed Martin Corporation, has been awarded the 2021 AIAA Hypersonic Systems and Technologies Award for “outstanding leadership in the furthering of Hypersonic Technology by initiating and managing novel flight demonstrators providing the maturity necessary to transition to operational systems.”

The award recognizes sustained contributions and achievements in enabling technologies and/or the integration of technologies for system applications in the advancement of hypersonic flight.

The award will be presented at the 24th AIAA International Space Planes and Hypersonic Systems and Technologies Conference Awards Reception taking place during 2021 ASCEND (16 November 1700 hrs PT).

AIAA Space Systems Award
Ingenuity Mars Helicopter Team, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, is being presented with the 2021 AIAA Space Systems Award for “the design and flight test validation of the first helicopter designed for flight at Mars.” This award will be accepted by Håvard F. Grip, Ingenuity Chief Pilot and lead for the Mars Helicopter Flight Control & Aerodynamics, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

The award recognizes outstanding achievements in the architecture, analysis, design, and implementation of space systems.

Dr. Grip also will join Jennifer Trosper, Mars Perseverance Project Manager, NASA, to deliver the William H. Pickering Lecture during 2021 ASCEND (16 November, 1830-1930 hrs PT). The lecture is named for the former NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Director, to honor his initiation and leadership of America’s unmanned scientific space program, from Explorer I in 1958 through the development of the Viking orbiters and the Voyager outer planet and interstellar missions.

Ms. Trosper will describe the challenges of the development and operations of the most complex robotic vehicle ever sent to the Red Planet along with some initial scientific findings of the mission. Dr. Grip will discuss how Ingenuity graduated from a short-lived flight experiment into a fully operationalized reconnaissance platform.

AIAA Sustained Service Awards
Michel D. Ingham, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, has been awarded the 2021 AIAA Sustained Service Award for his “tireless commitment to AIAA technical activities, particularly the Information Systems Group, Deputy Director, Intelligent Systems Technical Committee Chair, Conference Technical Chair, and Digital Engineering Integration Committee Member.”

Frank K. Lu, University of Texas at Arlington, has also been awarded the 2021 AIAA Sustained Service Award for “sustained and diverse leadership in student branch, local section, technical committee, editorial and publications activities.”

This service award recognizes sustained, significant service and contributions to AIAA members. It is truly a unique recognition for those AIAA members who have given their time, dedication, and efforts to AIAA.

AIAA von Braun Award for Excellence in Space Program Management
Fuk K. Li, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, is being presented with the 2021 AIAA von Braun Award for Excellence in Space Program Management for “sustained excellence in management of NASA’s New Millennium and Mars Exploration Programs, achieving major breakthroughs in space technology and Mars exploration objectives.”

The award gives national recognition to an individual(s) for outstanding contributions in the management of a significant space or space-related program or project. The award honors Dr. Wernher von Braun, who was one of the world’s first and foremost rocket engineers and a leading authority on space travel.

AIAA Media Contact: Rebecca B. Gray, [email protected], 804-397-5270 cell

About ASCEND
Powered by AIAA, ASCEND promotes 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! For more information, visit ascend.events, or follow ASCEND on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

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 aiaa.org, or follow AIAA on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

AIAA to Present Technical Excellence Awards at the 2022 AIAA AVIATION Forum

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 3, 2022 – Reston, Va.  – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is pleased to announce the winners of technical excellence awards to be presented during the 2022 AIAA AVIATION Forum, 27 June–1 July, in Chicago.

“We are proud to recognize these accomplished individuals for their influence on the aerospace profession,” said Dan Dumbacher, AIAA executive director. “These visionaries and technological leaders are truly inspirational. We are grateful for their efforts working toward a safer, more connected, more accessible, and more prosperous world.”

Registration for the 2022 AIAA AVIATION Forum is open now for the worldwide aviation community to attend in person or online. Early bird registration extends until 6 June. A limited number of sponsorships and exhibit packages are still available for interested companies and organizations to reach thousands of industry influencers from across the globe. Journalists who wish to cover the forum can request a Press Pass here.

  • 2021 Elmer A. Sperry Award

    Michimasa Fujino, HondaJetMichimasa Fujino, HondaJet

    Award Citation: : In recognition of his singular achievement of research and development of new technologies for business aviation including the Over-the-Wing Engine Mount and Natural Laminar Flow airfoil, and the introduction to the market of commercial aircraft based on these technologies through the formation of HondaJet.

    This award is given annually in recognition of a distinguished engineering contribution which, through application, proved in actual service, has advanced the art of transportation whether by land, sea, air, or space.

  • 2022 AIAA Aerodynamics Award

    Marilyn J. Smith, Georgia Institute of TechnologyMarilyn J. Smith, Georgia Institute of Technology

    Award Citation: For contributions to the computational and theoretical aerodynamic analysis of static and dynamic systems with separated flows, particularly for vertical takeoff and landing rotorcraft vehicles.

    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

  • 2022 AIAA Aircraft Design Award

    Steve Ericson, OverairSteve Ericson, Overair

    Award Citation: For a lifetime of innovative aircraft designs and exceptional skills in configuration design, as well as mentoring young engineers in aircraft design.

    This award is presented to an individual or team for an original concept or career contributions leading to a significant advancement in aircraft design or design technology.

  • 2022 AIAA Chanute Flight Test Award

    Rogers E. Smith, Consultant/SDI, Georgia Institute of TechnologyRogers E. Smith, Consultant/SDI, Georgia Institute of Technology

    Award Citation: For career-long achievements and contributions to the safe practices and teaching of flight testing, particularly in-flight controls and flying qualities, and significant collaboration with a diverse set of aerospace stakeholders

    This award honors Octave Chanute, pioneer aeronautical investigator, and is presented for an outstanding contribution made by a pilot or test personnel to the advancement of the art, science, and technology of aeronautics.

  • 2022 AIAA Fluid Dynamics Award

    Mujeeb R. Malik, NASA Langley Research CenterMujeeb R. Malik, NASA Langley Research Center

    Award Citation: : For numerous and significant contributions to the understanding and control of laminar­turbulent boundary-layer transition, and for exceptional leadership, particularly in the area of certification-by-analysis.

    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.

  • 2022 AIAA Ground Testing Award

    James C. Ross, NASA Ames Research CenterJames C. Ross, NASA Ames Research Center

    Award Citation: : In recognition of decades of exemplary service and leadership in ground testing, advancing critical technologies including heavy vehicles, military aircraft, and NASA’s Multipurpose Crew Vehicle Program.

    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.

  • 2022 AIAA Hap Arnold Award for Excellence in Aeronautical Program Management

    Paul W. Niewald, The Boeing CompanyPaul W. Niewald, The Boeing Company

    Award Citation: : For championing the use of innovative tools such as digital engineering to transform aircraft development, saving time and cost while enhancing performance and safety.

    This award honors General Henry “Hap” Arnold, a lifelong devotee to the concept of air power and Chief of the Army Corps in 1938, and is presented to an individual for outstanding contributions in the management of a significant aeronautical- or aeronautical-related program or project.

  • 2022 AIAA James A. Van Allen Space Environments Award

    Henry B. Garrett, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of TechnologyHenry B. Garrett, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology

    Award Citation: For a lifetime of contributions to the understanding of the interactions of spacecraft with the Earth’s magnetosphere and those of other planets.

    This award recognizes outstanding contributions to space and planetary environment knowledge and interactions as applied to the advancement of aeronautics and astronautics. The award honors Prof. James A. Van Allen, an outstanding internationally recognized scientist, who is credited with the early discovery of the Earth’s “Van Allen Radiation Belts.”

  • 2022 AIAA Losey Atmospheric Sciences Award

    Fred H. Proctor, NASA (retired)Fred H. Proctor, NASA (retired)

    Award Citation: For leading fundamental research to characterize atmospheric-related aviation hazards and to develop advanced sensor algorithms for identifying and mitigating these hazards.

    This award was established in memory of Captain Robert M. Losey, a meteorological officer who was killed while serving as an observer for the U.S. Army, the first officer in the service of the United States to die in World War II. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to the atmospheric sciences as applied to the advancement of aeronautics and astronautics.

  • 2022 AIAA Thermophysics Award

    Karen A. Thole, Pennsylvania State University, START LabKaren A. Thole, Pennsylvania State University, START Lab

    Award Citation: For pioneering research at the intersection of additive manufacturing and heat transfer in gas turbine engines that enables innovative combustor and turbine cooling designs.

    This a ward 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.

  • 2022 AIAA Plasmadynamics and Lasers Award

    Sergey O. Macheret, Purdue UniversitySergey O. Macheret, Purdue University

    Award Citation: For pioneering work on novel plasma generation and control methods and on aerospace applications of plasmas.

    This award is presented for outstanding contributions to the understanding of the physical properties and dynamical behavior of matter in the plasma state and lasers as related to need in aeronautics and astronautics.

AIAA Media Contact: Rebecca B. 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 aiaa.org, and follow AIAA on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

AIAA Announces Winners of Prestigious Zarem Graduate Student Awards in Aeronautics and Astronautics

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Brian Talbot
703.980.4132
[email protected]

Recent Graduates, Student from Georgia Tech and Purdue University

September 18, 2020 – Reston, Va. – AIAA is pleased to announce the winners of the Zarem Graduate Student Awards for Distinguished Achievement.

Nathan Crane, who graduated in 2020 with his M.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, won the aeronautics award for “Preliminary Active Subspace Investigation of a Commercial Supersonic Design Space.”

Aaron Afriat and Sandeep Baskar jointly won the astronautics award for “Atmospheric Breathing Solid-Fuel Ramjet for Martian Descent Missions.” Afriat is a graduate research assistant at the Purdue Energetics Research Center and Master’s student in Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University. Baskar graduated from Purdue with two bachelor’s degrees, in Aerospace Engineering and Applied Physics, in spring 2020. Afriat and Baskar will be presenting their paper at the virtual International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2020), 12-14 October.

AIAA Honorary Fellow Dr. Abe Zarem, founder and managing director of Frontier Associates, established the Abe M. Zarem Graduate Awards for Distinguished Achievement to annually recognize graduate students in aeronautics and astronautics who have demonstrated outstanding scholarship in their field.

 

Nathan-Crane
Nathan Crane, 2020 AIAA Foundation Abe M. Zarem Graduate Award Winner for Distinguished Achievement in Aeronautics
Aaron-Afriat
Aaron Afriat, 2020 AIAA Foundation Abe M. Zarem Graduate Award Winner for Distinguished Achievement in Astronautics
Sandeep-Baskar
Sandeep Baskar, 2020 AIAA Foundation Abe M. Zarem Graduate Award Winner for Distinguished Achievement in Astronautics

Crane is currently an Aerospace Technologist at NASA Langley Research Center. He graduated with his B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach in 2018, and his M.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2020. While at Georgia Tech, he was a part of the Aerospace Systems Design Laboratory, where his research concentrated on commercial supersonic conceptual design and aerodynamics. He completed a thesis focusing on incorporating high fidelity analysis into the supersonic conceptual design process while concurrently reducing computational time.

“Although I grew up not knowing any engineers, I decided early in my childhood that I wanted to pursue aerospace engineering and design aircraft,” he said. “After many years working to earn the opportunity to study and research aircraft design, it is an incredible honor to be awarded for my work in aeronautics. It is a great feeling to know that I have contributed to the field and encourages me to continue my passion into the future.”

Crane’s faculty advisor, Dimitri Mavris, is the Director of the Aerospace Systems Design Laboratory at the Georgia Institute of Technology. He is the Boeing Chaired Professor of Advanced Aerospace Systems Analysis in Georgia Tech’s School of Aerospace Engineering, Regents Professor, and an S.P. Langley NIA Distinguished Professor. He also serves as the Executive Director of Georgia Tech’s Professional Master’s Applied Systems Engineering program. He is an AIAA Fellow and a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.

Afriat’s research focuses on additive manufacturing and characterizing high-performance, environmentally friendly propellants. His interests lie in designing the next generation of spacecraft engines, and eventually pioneering the exploration of Mars. He received his B.S. in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering with concentrations in Propulsion and Systems Design from Purdue University in May 2019.

“My remote background as a Caribbean Islander filled me with childhood dreams of space exploration that I can now proudly say I have partaken in,” he said. “Organizations like AIAA, through recognitions and worldwide spread of technical information, enabled me and others alike to strive for our dream; something I am incredibly thankful for. I believe that this wealth of information, while bringing us closer together as a scientific community, also brings humanity ever closer to spreading beyond Earth’s horizon.”

After receiving his B.S. degrees in the spring, Baskar is now a Flight Dynamics Analyst at Dynetics. His undergraduate work and internship experience involved trajectory analysis, vehicle design, and mission design. His work at Dynetics focuses on trajectory optimization and mission design for the Artemis Human Lander System project. Unsurprisingly, his interests are in the realm of human spaceflight and astrodynamics to assist in human exploration of deep space.

Afriat’s and Baskar’s faculty advisor is Stephen Heister, Raisbeck Distinguished Professor in the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics and a professor of Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University. Heister has published extensively and has advised over 100 Purdue graduate students. He is an AIAA Fellow, a Purdue University Faculty Scholar, and a five-time winner of the E. F. Bruhn Teaching Award for the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

For more information on the Abe M. Zarem Graduate Awards for Distinguished Achievement, please contact Michael Lagana at [email protected] or 703.264.7503.

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 aiaa.org, or follow AIAA on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn.

AIAA Recognizes Excellence in Aerospace with Awards to be Presented During the 2021 AIAA SciTech Forum

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 6, 2021 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is pleased to announce the winners of awards to be presented during the 2021 AIAA SciTech Forum, to be held virtually 11–15 and 19–21 January. The Awards Ceremony to fully recognize these award winners is set for Wednesday, 20 January at 1630 hrs ET. The Awards Ceremony is free virtual event. Visit the 2021 AIAA SciTech Recognition page for more information.

“We are proud to recognize these exemplary professionals for their accomplishments in the aerospace profession, outstanding merit, and contributions to the art, science, or technology of aeronautics or astronautics. They motivate and inspire us,” said Daniel Dumbacher, AIAA executive director. “The AIAA community is fueled by visionaries, technological leaders, and accomplished professionals like those recognized here, all working together to build a better world.”

In addition to these awards, AIAA Sustained Service Awardees, best professional and student papers winners, and student paper competition winners will be announced during the Awards Ceremony.

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

Education Awards

Abe M. Zarem Graduate Award for Distinguished Achievement in Aeronautics
The Zarem Award was established by AIAA and Dr. Abe Zarem as a means for students pursuing advanced degrees (master’s level candidates) in aeronautics to showcase their talent and work.

Nathan T. Crane, Georgia Institute of Technology
Paper titled,“Preliminary Active Subspace Investigation of a Commercial Supersonic Design Space”

Abe M. Zarem Educator Award in Aeronautics
The faculty advisor of the student winner of the Zarem Award for Distinguished Achievement (Aeronautics) is recognized for his role in guiding and mentoring the student.

 

Dimitri Mavris, Georgia Institute of Technology, Advisor to Nathan T. Crane

Abe M. Zarem Graduate Award for Distinguished Achievement in Astronautics
The Zarem Student Award was established by AIAA and Dr. Abe Zarem as a means for students pursuing advanced degrees (master’s level candidates) in astronautics to showcase their talent and work.

 

Aaron Afriat and Sandeep Baskar, Purdue University
Paper titled, “Atmospheric Breathing Solid-Fuel Ramjet for Martian Descent Missions”

Abe M. Zarem Educator Award in Astronautics
The faculty advisor of the student winner of the Zarem Award for Distinguished Achievement (Astronautics) is recognized for his role in guiding and mentoring the student.

 

Stephen Heister, Purdue University, Advisor to Aaron Afriat and Sandeep Baskar

2020 AIAA-ASEE J. Leland Atwood Award
This award recognizes a recent outstanding educational achievement and encourages innovative improvements in aerospace education.

 

Byron D. Tapley, University of Texas at Austin
For the lasting influence of his recent contributions to aerospace engineering education.

Publication Awards

2021 AIAA Children’s Literature Award
This award is presented for an outstanding, significant, and original book in aeronautics and astronautics published within the last two years.

 

Billie Holladay Skelley, Goldminds Publishing, Amphorae Publishing
Ruth Law: The Queen of the Air

2021 AIAA Gardner-Lasser Aerospace History Literature Award
The award is presented for the best original contribution to the field of aeronautical or astronautical non-fiction literature published in the last five years dealing with the science, technology, and/or impact of aeronautics or astronautics on society.

 

Slava Gerovitch, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Soviet Space Mythologies: Public Images, Private Memories, andthe Making of a Cultural Identity

2021 AIAA Pendray Aerospace Literature Award
This award is presented for an outstanding contribution or contributions to aeronautical and astronautical literature in the relatively recent past.

 

Tim C. Lieuwen, Georgia Institute of Technology
For outstanding contributions to the development of aerospace literature in combustion and propulsion, particularly in unsteady combustor physics, gas turbine emissions, and synthesis gas combustion.

2021 AIAA Summerfield Book Award
The award is presented to the author of the best book recently published (within the last five years) by AIAA.
John D. Anderson, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution
Hypersonic and High-Temperature Gas Dynamics, Third Edition

Service Award

2021 AIAA Diversity and Inclusion Award
This award recognizes an individual or group within AIAA who has devoted time and effort and made significant contributions to the advancement of diversity and inclusion within the Institute.

 

Dexter Johnson, NASA Glenn Research Center
For your significant contributions to advancing diversity and inclusion within the aerospace and astronautics community through your AIAA collaborations with students and industry partners.

Technical Awards

2020 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.

 

Mark D. Maughmer, Pennsylvania State University
For foundational developments in airfoil and wing design, advancement of novel airfoil  configurations, and contributions to rotorcraft aeromechanics.

2020 AIAA Multidisciplinary Design Optimization Award
This awardis 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.

 

Raymond M. Kolonay, Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)
For visionary leadership in the MDO community and development of nonlinear unsteady aeroelastic optimization methods and collaborative/distributed architectures enabling large-scale multidisciplinary aircraft design.

2020 AIAA Propellants & Combustion Award
This award is is presented for outstanding technical contributions to aeronautical or astronautical combustion engineering.

 

Meredith B. Colket, III, United Technologies Research Center (retired)
For pioneering contributions in the development of endothermic fuels leading to demonstration of the X-51 and coordinating technology programs supporting certification of alternative jet fuels.

2021 AIAA Ashley Award for Aeroelasticity
This award recognizes outstanding contributions to the understanding and application of aeroelastic phenomena.

 

Eli Livne, University of Washington
For carrying out foundational works for aeroservoelastic optimization; leadership in maturing active flutter suppression to practice; and for major contributions to dissemination of aeroelastic knowledge.

2021 AIAA-ASC James H. Starnes Jr. Award
This award recognizes significant contribution to and demonstrated promotion of the field of structural mechanics over an extended period of time emphasizing practical solutions, and acknowledges high professionalism and the strong mentoring of and influence on colleagues, especially younger colleagues.

 

David Bushnell, Lockheed Martin Corporation (retired)
For pioneering contributions to the analysis and design of thin-shell structures and enduring leadership in the application and preservation of that knowledge for future generations.

2021 AIAA Information Systems Award
This award recognizes outstanding technical and/or management contributions in space and aeronautics computer, sensing, and fusion aspects of information technology and science.

 

Erik P. Blasch, Air Force Office of Scientific Research
For technical leadership and innovation in information fusion systems for avionics, space situational awareness, and airborne sensing

2021 AIAA Mechanics and Control of Flight Award 
This award is presented for an outstanding recent technical or scientific contribution by an individual in the mechanics, guidance, or control of flight in space or the atmosphere.

 

Fred Y. Hadaegh, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
For extraordinary contributions for advances in the theory, computation, and implementation of autonomous guidance, navigation, and control of single and distributed spacecraft systems.

Media contact: Rebecca B. 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 aiaa.org, or follow AIAA on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn.

2022 AIAA Dryden Lectureship in Research Awarded to Anthony M. Waas

Lecture will be Delivered on 5 January, During 2022 AIAA SciTech Forum

January 3, 2022 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is pleased to announce the 2022 AIAA Dryden Lectureship in Research is awarded to Anthony M. Waas, the Richard A. Auhll Department Chair of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Waas will deliver his lecture, “Digital Tools for Design and Analysis of Composite Aerostructures,” Wednesday, 5 January, 1800 hrs PT, during the 2022 AIAA SciTech Forum, San Diego and online, 3-7 January. Registration is still open to attend in San Diego in person, or online. Journalists can request a Press Pass here.

The Dryden Lecture in Research is one of the most prestigious lectures bestowed by the Institute. Since the inaugural lecture in 1961, it has been a catalyst for sharing research advancements and knowledge. This premier lecture is named in honor of Dr. Hugh L. Dryden, a renowned aerospace leader and the director of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, or NACA, as well as the first deputy administrator of NASA when the agency was created in 1958. The award emphasizes the importance of basic research in advancing aeronautics and astronautics.

Waas has been with the University of Michigan since 2018. Prior to that he was the Boeing Egtvedt Endowed Chair Professor and Department Chair in the William E. Boeing Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at the University of Washington, Seattle. Waas was the Felix Pawlowski Collegiate Chair Professor of Aerospace Engineering, and the Director, Composite Structures Laboratory, at the University of Michigan, from 1988 to 2014, prior to joining the University of Washington in 2015.

Waas is a Fellow of AIAA. He also is a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineering, the American Society for Composites, the American Academy of Mechanics and the Royal Aeronautical Society, UK. In 2017, Waas was elected to the Washington State Academy of Sciences, and in 2018 to the European Academy of Sciences and Arts. He is also the recipient of the 2020 AIAA ICME Prize and the 2020 ASME Warner T. Koiter Medal. Recently, Waas was elected to the U.S. National Academies Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board.

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

Media Contact: Rebecca B. Gray, APR, [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 aiaa.org, and follow AIAA on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

AIAA and Tripadvisor Launch “Destination: Space” to Open Up Space Tourism to New Audiences

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Includes First-Ever Tourist Review of Space from Dr. Sian Proctor

July 30, 2024 – Las Vegas – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and Tripadvisor have launched “Destination: Space,” a new content platform dedicated to space tourism,  exploration, and education. “Destination: Space” aims to demystify space for the general public and make space tourism more accessible to all. The platform features Tripadvisor reviews and content from the growing community of astronauts who have travelled to space – sharing their unfiltered experiences of what it’s like to travel off planet Earth. These human stories draw from the ever-expanding community of more than 600 people who have travelled to space.

The announcement was celebrated during the 2024 ASCEND event in Las Vegas where more than 3,500 people in the aerospace community and adjacent industries are gathered this week.

In addition to reviews on traveling to space, “Destination: Space” includes links for the public to book actual space experiences. Enthusiasts can find travel information to visit space-related locations here on Earth, including museums and science centers, as well as where to see rocket launches, take advantage of STEM learning opportunities, and explore online space resources.

The First Review from Space
The first official review from space is provided by Dr. Sian “Leo” Proctor, renowned for her groundbreaking achievements as the first African American woman to pilot a spaceship, paint in space, and serve on the SpaceX Inspiration4 mission – the first all-civilian orbital mission. She became a commercial astronaut following her 22 years as a professor teaching geology, sustainability, and planetary science at South Mountain Community College in Phoenix, Arizona, and now as a geoscience professor at the Maricopa Community Colleges in Tempe, Arizona. Her humorous yet accurate review of space appears alongside videos, photos, and the familiar Tripadvisor “bubble ratings” for ambiance, location, sleep quality, and more.

A Unique Perspective
The content at “Destination: Space” includes not only reviews but also space-inspired itineraries, interactive educational STEM programs, and more, catering to those who wish to experience space here on Earth – for fun, inspiration, and education. This additional information is provided by experts and enthusiasts working in the space community. Reviews from other space travelers – Victor L. Vescovo and Marty Allen – are included, with more to be added as increasing numbers of people explore the final frontier.

Making Space Accessible to More People
Adam Ochman from Tripadvisor commented on this exciting development, “We are thrilled to launch ‘Destination: Space,’ where we aim to bridge the gap between Earth and the cosmos, providing our community with engaging and educational content that fuels curiosity and inspires future generations of space travelers.”

“AIAA is dedicated to accelerating humanity’s future in space through fostering innovative collaborations inside and outside of the space industry. We are thrilled to work closely with Tripadvisor, a global online travel market leader, to promote space as an increasingly accessible destination,” said Brian Talbot, AIAA vice president of revenue development, marketing and communications. “With the launch of ‘Destination: Space,’ Tripadvisor joins the emerging ecosystem of non-aerospace companies and new industries that now see space as an opportunity.”

AIAA 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 aiaa.org, or follow AIAA on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

AIAA Announces Technical Excellence Award Winners to Be Presented at AIAA Propulsion and Energy Forum

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Michele McDonald
703.264.7542
[email protected]

July 10, 2019 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is pleased to announce the winners of technical excellence awards to be presented during the 2019 AIAA Propulsion and Energy Forum.

The awards will be presented during the Excellence in Aerospace Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, 21 August, at the JW Marriott in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The following aerospace professionals will be recognized for their outstanding contributions in their field having been chosen by their peers from related AIAA technical committees:

2019 AIAA Space Automation and Robotics Award
Orbital Express Team
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)
Received by: Dr. Fred Kennedy, DARPA
In recognition of Orbital Express’s pioneering work in demonstrating autonomous orbital robotics, including these firsts: autonomous robotic grapple, robotic ORU changeout, and robotic fluid transfer in space.

2019 AIAA Space Systems Award
Jess M. Sponable
XS-1 Program Manager, DARPA
For unique and extraordinary leadership in providing the pathway for the evolution of the United States military launch capability toward robust and affordable reusable space systems.

2019 AIAA von Braun Award for Excellence in Space Program Management
Christopher M. Crumbly
Executive Director, von Braun Center for Science and Innovation
For sustained excellence in furthering human spaceflight through strategic planning, managing several NASA projects, and leading key programs within the Space Launch System.

2019 AIAA Aerospace Power Systems Award
Judith A. Jeevarajan
Senior Scientist, NASA Johnson Space Center
In recognition of significant contributions to the design, development, and test of safe and reliable battery energy storage power systems for aerospace applications.

2019 AIAA Air Breathing Propulsion Award
Karen A. Thole
Professor and Department Head, Mechanical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University
For significant technical contributions to the understanding of convective heat transfer in gas turbine engines, and continuing efforts to promote participation of underrepresented groups in aerospace.

2019 AIAA Energy Systems Award
Arun Majumdar
Director, Precourt Institute for Energy, and Jay Precourt Professor of Mechanical Engineering and of Photon Science, Stanford University
For superior contributions to the science and engineering of nanoscale energy-conversion materials and devices and outstanding energy-related service at the highest administrative levels.

2019 AIAA Wyld Propulsion Award
Stanley K. Borowski
Senior Aerospace Research Engineer, NASA Glenn Research Center (retired)
For sustained outstanding contributions in advanced propulsion, including the development and application of nuclear thermal propulsion for future human lunar and Mars exploration missions.

2019 AIAA Engineer of the Year
Timothy Dominick
Senior Principal Mechanical Engineer, Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems
For successful development and implementation of a novel structural insulator material, JT-700, into multiple controllable solids propulsion systems with potential applications across the aerospace industry.

In addition to these technical awards, we will be presenting two service awards:

2019 Sustained Service Award
Marty K. Bradley
Technical Fellow, Boeing Commercial Airplanes
For sustained, significant service at the national level with emphasis on Technical and Program/Integration Committee leadership, including formation of new committees.

2019 Sustained Service Award
Timothy Dominick 
Senior Principal Mechanical Engineer, Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems
For sustained AIAA leadership at the section, region, and national committee levels attested by service to the Delaware Section and Public Policy Committee.

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 85 countries, and 98 corporate members, AIAA brings together industry, academia, and government to advance engineering and science in aviation, space, and defense. For more information, aiaa.org, or follow us on Twitter @AIAA.

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American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
12700 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 200, Reston, VA 20191-5807
Phone: 703.264.7558 Fax: 703.264.7551  aiaa.org

AIAA Announces its Class of 2023 Honorary Fellows and Fellows

Three Honorary Fellows and 28 Fellows Elected

February 13, 2023 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) proudly congratulates its newly elected Class of 2023 Honorary Fellows and Fellows. The three new Honorary Fellows and 28 new Fellows will be inducted at a ceremony on Wednesday, 17 May, in Arlington, Virginia. AIAA will celebrate the new Honorary Fellows and Fellows during the AIAA Awards Gala, Thursday, 18 May, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts*, Washington, DC. Tickets for the AIAA Awards Gala are available now.

“The Class of 2023 AIAA Honorary Fellows and Fellows are among the best minds in the aerospace profession. I commend each member of this year’s Class for their many accomplishments,” said Laura McGill, AIAA President. “These distinguished individuals have earned the respect and gratitude of our broad science and engineering community. We are in awe of their creativity and exceptional contributions to advance the performance and capability of aerospace systems.”

Honorary Fellow is the highest distinction conferred by AIAA and recognizes preeminent individuals who have had long and highly contributory careers in aerospace and who embody the highest possible standards in aeronautics and astronautics. In 1933, Orville Wright became the first AIAA Honorary Fellow. Today, AIAA Honorary Fellows and AIAA Fellows are the most respected names in the aerospace industry.

AIAA confers the distinction of 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, 2,036 distinguished persons have been elected as a Fellow.

“AIAA takes great pride in honoring the Class of 2023 Honorary Fellows and Fellows. These professionals have made significant and lasting contributions to the aerospace community. Their passion and dedication are inspiring the generations that follow to reach even greater heights,” added Dan Dumbacher, AIAA Executive Director.

For more information on the AIAA Honors Program, AIAA Honorary Fellows, or AIAA Fellows, contact Patricia A. Carr at [email protected].

2023 AIAA Honorary Fellows
Mark Drela, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
James G. Maser, Aerojet Rocketdyne
William A. Sirignano, University of California, Irvine

2023 AIAA Fellows
Behçet Açıkmeşe, University of Washington
Steven J. Beresh, Sandia National Laboratories
Charles F. Bolden Jr., The Charles F. Bolden Group
Helmut Ciezki, DLR – German Aerospace Center
Capt. Meredith B. Colket III, Combustion Consulting Services, LLC, United Technologies Research Center (retired)
Daniel DeLaurentis, Purdue University
Christopher D’Souza, NASA Johnson Space Center
Ismet Gursul, University of Bath
Kauser S. Imtiaz, NASA
R. Steven Justice, The Ginn Group
Raymond M. Kolonay, Air Force Research Laboratory
Rodney Makoske, Lockheed Martin
Jill Marlowe, NASA
Pamela Melroy, NASA
David G. Mitchell, Mitchell Aerospace Research
Eugene Morelli, NASA Langley Research Center
Scott E. Palo, University of Colorado Boulder
Surendra Sharma, NASA Ames Research Center
Robert T.-I. Shin, MIT Lincoln Laboratory
Rickey J. Shyne, NASA Glenn Research Center
Leena Singh, MIT Lincoln Laboratory
Michael Sinnett, Boeing Commercial Airplanes
Lawrence W. Stephens, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control
Mitchell L.R. Walker II, Georgia Institute of Technology
Brian L. Wardle, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Michael E. White, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering
Michael Winter, Pratt & Whitney
Thomas H. Zurbuchen, NASA (retired)

*Please note that this event is an external rental presented in coordination with the Kennedy Center Campus Rentals Office and is not produced by the Kennedy Center.

Contact: Rebecca B. 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  aiaa.org, and follow AIAA on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

AIAA Announces 2023 Premier Award Winners

Aerospace’s Best and Brightest to be Honored at AIAA Awards Gala

February 13, 2023 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is pleased to announce the 2023 recipients of its most prestigious awards, the AIAA Premier Awards, recognizing the most influential and inspiring individuals in aerospace whose outstanding contributions merit the highest accolades. A new award – the AIAA Award for Aerospace Excellence – was added in 2023 in order to celebrate a unique program or mission in the aerospace community deserving timely recognition.

Presentation of the 2023 AIAA Premier Awards and recognition of the Institute’s Class of 2023 Honorary Fellows and Fellows will take place at the AIAA Awards Gala, Thursday, 18 May, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts*, Washington, DC. Tickets are available now.

“Congratulations to our premier award winners,” said AIAA President Laura McGill. “We are inspired by their hard work and achievements, and we thank them for their dedication to the aerospace industry. AIAA is committed to ensuring that aerospace professionals are recognized and celebrated for their innovations and discoveries that make the world safer, more connected, more accessible, and more prosperous.”

The winners are:

AIAA Award for Aerospace Excellence – Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) Team, NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

AIAA Public Service Award – Bill Nye, The Planetary Society

AIAA Reed Aeronautics Award – John S. Langford III, Electra.Aero

AIAA Distinguished Service Award – David R. Riley, Boeing Research & Technology (retired)

AIAA International Cooperation Award – Vincent A. Orlando, MIT Lincoln Laboratory

AIAA Engineer of the Year Award – Alison A. Nordt, Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Center

AIAA Goddard Astronautics Award – Charlie Atkinson, Jennifer Love-Pruitt, Michael T. Menzel, and Lee D. Feinberg, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center/Northrop Grumman Team – James Webb Space Telescope 

AIAA Lawrence Sperry Award – Phillip J. Ansell, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Award Citations

AIAA Award for Aerospace Excellence
This award honors a unique achievement by a group or team in the aerospace community that is shaping the future of aerospace and inspiring the next generation to pursue careers in aerospace. The award is designed for timely recognition of a recent program or mission.

NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) Team

    , honored “In recognition of humanity’s first time purposely changing the motion of a celestial object by a team of protectors of our home planet.” Accepting the award on behalf of the DART team: Jeremy John, JHUAPL, and Lindley Johnson, NASA.

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

Bill Nye,

    The Planetary Society, honored “For demonstrating sustained and visible support for aviation and space goals through popular media outreach.”

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 Aeronautical Sciences in 1932.

John S. Langford III,

    Electra.Aero, honored “For exemplary achievement as an outstanding aeronautical engineer, visionary leadership in the development of autonomous flight, and relentless advocacy of the future aerospace workforce.”

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

David R. Riley

    , Boeing Research & Technology (retired), honored “In recognition of over four decades of dedicated leadership and service to AIAA at the section, region, national, and international levels.”

AIAA International Cooperation Award
The award is presented to a member who has made a recent individual contribution in the application of scientific and mathematical principles leading to a significant accomplishment or event worthy of AIAA’s national or international recognition.

Vincent A. Orlando,

    MIT Lincoln Laboratory, honored “For over 40 years of sustained technical innovation, standards development, and international harmonization of aviation surveillance system technology.”

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.

Alison A. Nordt,

    Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Center, honored “For exceptional engineering and technical leadership in the development of the Near Infrared Camera critical to the success of the James Webb Space Telescope.”

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.

Charlie Atkinson, Jennifer Love-Pruitt, Michael T. Menzel, and Lee D. Feinberg,

    NASA Goddard Space Flight Center/Northrop Grumman Team – James Webb Space Telescope, honored “For delivering groundbreaking engineering performance for the James Webb Space Telescope, to advance the study of every phase of cosmic history.”

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.

Phillip J. Ansell,

    University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, honored “For outstanding contributions to electrified aircraft technologies and pioneering work toward sustainable aviation.”

*Please note that this event is an external rental presented in coordination with the Kennedy Center Campus Rentals Office and is not produced by the Kennedy Center.

Contact: Rebecca B. 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  aiaa.org, and follow AIAA on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

AIAA to Honor Aerospace Award Winners at the 2025 AIAA SciTech Forum

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 22, 2024 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) will bestow awards to over 20 aerospace innovators who made an impact on the industry over the past year during the 2025 AIAA SciTech Forum, 6–10 January 2025, Orlando, Fla. The awards will be presented during the forum at a special Awards Recognition Ceremony, 6 January, 5:30 p.m. Forum registration is available now. Journalists can request a Press Pass here.

“Congratulations to this year’s award winners! These exceptional individuals are highly regarded and have been chosen by their peers. They have not only advanced aeronautics and astronautics, but are also inspiring the next generation of professionals,” said AIAA CEO Clay Mowry. “We are immensely grateful for their contributions. They are truly shaping the future of aerospace.”

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

GRADUATE AWARDS

2024 Abe M. Zarem Graduate Award for Distinguished Achievement in Astronautics
This award was established by AIAA Honorary Fellow Abe Zarem, founder and managing director of Frontier Associates, to annually recognize graduate students in aeronautics and astronautics who have demonstrated outstanding scholarship in their field.

Mohammed Abir Mahdi
Oklahoma State University

Shafi Al Salman Romeo
Oklahoma State University

For their paper “Convolutional Neural Network and Homogenization based Hybrid Approach for Lattice Structures”

Advisor:  Zhao Wei, Oklahoma State University

LITERARY AWARDS

2025 AIAA Gardner-Lasser Aerospace History Literature Award
The award is presented for the best original contribution to the field of aeronautical or astronautical non-fiction literature published in the last five years dealing with the science, technology, and/or impact of aeronautics or astronautics on society.

Michael W. Hankins
Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum
Flying Camelot: The F-15, the F-16, and the Weaponization of Fighter Pilot Nostalgia

2025 AIAA Pendray Aerospace Literature Award
The award is presented for an outstanding contribution or contributions to aeronautical and astronautical literature in the relatively recent past.

Joseph M. Powers
University of Notre Dame
Mechanics of Fluids

SERVICE AWARD

2025 AIAA Mary W. Jackson Diversity and Inclusion Award
This award recognizes an individual or group within AIAA who has devoted time and effort and made significant contributions to the advancement of diversity and inclusion within the Institute.

Karen A. Thole
University of Michigan
For her sustained significant contributions to raise awareness on the value of diversity and inclusion in the aerospace workforce at large, an AIAA core value.

TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS

2024 AIAA–ASEE J. Leland Atwood Award
This award is bestowed upon an outstanding aerospace engineering educator in recognition of the educator’s contributions to the profession. This award is co-sponsored by the ASEE Aerospace Division and AIAA.

Stephen D. Heister
Purdue University
For his transformative impact on the aerospace industry in revitalizing Maurice J. Zucrow Laboratory, and mentoring leaders currently developing advanced rocket and airbreathing propulsion systems.

2025 AIAA–ASC James H. Starnes Jr. Award
This award is presented to recognize continued significant contribution to and demonstrated promotion of the field of structural mechanics over an extended period of time emphasizing practical solutions, to acknowledge high professionalism, and to acknowledge the strong mentoring of and influence on colleagues.

Paul M. Weaver
University of Limerick, Ireland
University of Bristol, United Kingdom
For his outstanding contribution in the field of composite structures and his supportive and inspirational mentoring of young academics and professionals.

2025 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.

Gary Polansky
Sandia National Laboratories (retired)
In recognition for decades of technical leadership in pioneering U.S. hypersonic boost-glide vehicle development and testing in service of the national defense.

2025 AIAA Information Systems Award
This award is presented to recognize outstanding technical and/or management contributions in space and aeronautics for computer, sensing, and fusion aspects of information technology and science.

Radhakrishna Sampigethaya
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
For his pioneering work and research in aviation cybersecurity in the areas of developing aircraft and air traffic control systems countermeasures, educating the current and next-generation workforce, and enhancing aerospace safety and security.

2025 AIAA Ashley Award for Aeroelasticity
This award recognizes outstanding contributions to the understanding and application of aeroelastic phenomena. It commemorates the accomplishments of Professor Holt Ashley, who dedicated his professional life to the advancement of aerospace sciences and engineering and had a profound impact on the fields of aeroelasticity, unsteady aerodynamics, aeroservoelasticity and multidisciplinary optimization.

Mordechay Karpel
Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Israel
For outstanding contributions to structural dynamics, aeroelasticity, and aeroservoelasticity, including engineering leadership, research innovations, influential publications, development of industrial software, and mentoring of aerospace professionals.

2025 AIAA de Florez Award for Flight Simulation
This award is presented for an outstanding individual achievement in the application of flight simulation to aerospace training, research, and development.

Heinrich H. Bülthoff
Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Germany
For groundbreaking research into how the brain processes multisensory perceptual information and the application of this knowledge for developing revolutionary new motion simulation technologies.

2025 AIAA Air Breathing Propulsion Award
This award is presented to an individual for sustained, meritorious accomplishment in the arts, sciences, and technology of air breathing propulsion systems.

Zoltán S. Spakovszky
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
For outstanding and sustained contributions to air breathing propulsion, through rigorous discoveries and advancements in compressor aerodynamic and aerostructural stability and in aeroengine acoustics.

2025 AIAA Aerospace Power Systems Award
This award, established in 1981, is presented for a significant contribution in the broad field of aerospace power systems, specifically as related to the application of engineering sciences and systems engineering to the generation, storage, management, and distribution of electrical energy to aerospace power systems.

Margot Wasz
The Aerospace Corporation (retired)
For exceptional technical contributions to advanced spacecraft battery power systems, outstanding service to the mission success of high-value United States Space Force launch vehicle systems, and transformational leadership of AIAA space power activities.

2025 AIAA Energy Systems Award
This award honors a significant contribution in the broad field of energy systems, specifically as related to the application of engineering sciences and systems engineering to the production, storage, distribution, and conservation of energy.

Ying Zheng
Western University
For remarkable contributions in advancing applied catalysis for clean and renewable energy innovations through exceptional dedication to research, education and application.

2025 AIAA Mechanics and Control of Flight Award
This award is presented for an outstanding recent technical or scientific contribution by an individual in the mechanics, guidance, or control of flight in space or the atmosphere.

Ilya Kolmanovsky
University of Michigan
For significant contributions to advances in theory and methods enabling development of reference governors and model predictive control algorithms enforcing safety constraints in aerospace systems.

2025 AIAA Propellants and Combustion Award
This award is presented for outstanding technical contributions to aeronautical or astronautical combustion engineering.

Robert P. Lucht
Purdue University
For numerous contributions to combustion, propulsion, and power generation through innovative development of advanced laser diagnostics and applying them to practical energy systems.

2025 AIAA Wyld Propulsion Award
This award is presented for outstanding achievement in the development or application of rocket propulsion systems.

Alon Gany
Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Israel
For pioneering contributions in propulsion research on metalized propellants, energetic materials, hybrid rockets, ramjets, and scramjets, with sustained excellence in educating generations of propulsion experts.

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 aiaa.org, and follow AIAA on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X/Twitter.

AIAA Statement on Blue Origin’s Successful NS-26 Mission

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 29, 2024 – Reston, VA – AIAA CEO Dan Dumbacher made the following statement: “On behalf of the 30,000 professional and student members of AIAA, we congratulate Blue Origin on its successful NS-26 mission. We celebrate Nicolina, Rob, Eugene, Eiman, Karsen, and Ephraim on their inspirational journey and share the excitement around the NS-26 mission, including the NASA research conducted onboard. New Shephard missions embody the promises of space for the benefit of Earth. “Reusability of space vehicles continues to help decrease the cost of access to space as we see the space economy growing. We applaud AIAA Corporate Member Blue Origin for shaping the future of aerospace.”

AIAA 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 aiaa.org, or follow AIAA on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

AIAA to Recognize Excellence with Awards at the 2024 AIAA AVIATION Forum

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 17, 2024 – Reston, Va.  – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is pleased to announce the winners of technical and management excellence awards to be presented during the 2024 AIAA AVIATION Forum, 29 July – 2 August, Caesars Forum, Las Vegas. Registration is open for the worldwide aviation community to attend. Journalists who wish to cover the forum can request a Press Pass here.

“We are proud to recognize these accomplished individuals for their influence on aviation,” said AIAA CEO Dan Dumbacher. “From the major missions that reimagine how our nation uses air and space to the inventive new applications that enhance everyday living, these professionals leverage their knowledge for the benefit of society. Their efforts are making the world safer, more connected, more accessible, and more prosperous.”

2024 AIAA Aircraft Design Award

Paul L. Fontenrose, Vice President Engineering, Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems

Award Citation: For the design of the next evolution of the U.S. Air Force strategic bomber fleet and the world’s first sixth-generation aircraft to reach the skies.

The AIAA Aircraft Design Award is presented to an individual or team for an original concept or career contributions leading to a significant advancement in aircraft design or design technology.

2024 AIAA Fluid Dynamics Award

Mark Glauser, Emeritus and Research Professor, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Syracuse University

Award Citation: For seminal contributions on the innovative use of multi-point low dimensional methods for understanding and control of turbulent flows.

The AIAA Fluid Dynamics 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.

2024 AIAA Ground Testing Award

Marvin Sellers, Subject Matter Expert, 716th TS, Axient, Inc.

Award Citation: In recognition of decades of tremendous contributions to the national ground test and evaluation community, most particularly in the advancement of pressure-sensitive paint techniques.

The AIAA Ground Testing 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.

2024 AIAA Losey Atmospheric Sciences Award

Duane Waliser, Chief Scientist, Earth Science and Technology Directorate, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Award Citation: For highly impactful science and leadership contributions to atmospheric and Earth system science that have progressively advanced and leveraged space-based Earth observations.

The AIAA Robert M. Losey Award recognizes outstanding contributions to the atmospheric sciences as applied to the advancement of aeronautics and astronautics.

2024 AIAA Multidisciplinary Design Optimization Award

Kumar Bhatia, Boeing Senior Technical Fellow, The Boeing Company (Retired)

Award Citation: For pioneering the use of multidisciplinary design optimization in transport aircraft and developing a rapid approach for aircraft MDO employing appropriate fidelity analyses.

The AIAA Multidisciplinary Design Optimization Award recognizes outstanding contributions to the development and/or application of techniques of multidisciplinary design optimization in the context of aerospace engineering.

2024 AIAA Piper General Aviation Award

Noel Duerksen, Consultant

Award Citation: For contributions to general aviation safety and ease of use including the first certified envelope protection system and the first certified autonomous emergency landing system in general aviation.

The AIAA Piper General Aviation Award is presented for outstanding contributions leading to the advancement of general aviation by an individual or group.

2024 AIAA Plasmadynamics and Lasers Award

Kurt A. Polzin, Chief Engineer, Space Nuclear Propulsion, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center

Award Citation: For seminal modeling of pulsed inductive plasma accelerators providing both a fundamental understanding of underlying physics and practical approaches to optimization of energy deposition.

The AIAA Plasmadynamics and Lasers Award recognizes 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.

2024 AIAA Thermophysics Award

Greg F. Naterer, Vice President, Academic and Research, University of Prince Edward Island

Award Citation: For significant contributions to heat transfer in multiphase flows, thermochemical processes, and thermal design using entropy and the second law of thermodynamics.

The AIAA Thermophysics 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.

 

Media Contact: Rebecca Gray, APR, [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 aiaa.org, and follow AIAA on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

AIAA Announces Class of 2025 Honorary Fellows and Fellows

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 9, 2024 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) proudly congratulates its newly elected Class of 2025 Honorary Fellows and Fellows. The class will be inducted during a ceremony on Tuesday, 29 April, in Washington, DC, and celebrated during the AIAA Awards Gala on Wednesday, 30 April, AIAA Awards Gala tickets will be available in early 2025.

“Congratulations to each member of the Class of 2025 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 2,092 persons have been elected as an AIAA Fellow.

“The Class of 2025 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.

2025 AIAA Honorary Fellows

Maj. Gen. Charles F. Bolden Jr., USMC (Ret.), The Charles F. Bolden Group LLC
Alec Gallimore, Duke University
The Honorable Steven J. Isakowitz, The Aerospace Corporation

2025 AIAA Fellows

Maj. Gen. James B. Armor Jr., USAF (Ret.), The Armor Group LLC
Hamsa Balakrishnan, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Brett A. Bednarcyk, NASA Glenn Research Center
John Maurice Carson III, NASA
Paul J. Cefola, University at Buffalo
Todd K. Citron, The Boeing Company
Stephen B. Clay, Air Force Research Laboratory
William A. Crossley, Purdue University
Boris Diskin, NASA Langley Research Center
Mary Lynne Dittmar, Axiom Space (retired) / Dittmar Associates
Stephen N. Frick, Lockheed Martin Space
Demoz Gebre-Egziabher, University of Minnesota
Luisella Giulicchi, European Space Agency
Vinay K. Goyal, The Aerospace Corporation
Michael J. Hirschberg, The Vertical Flight Society
Tristram Tupper Hyde, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Oliver L.P. Masefield, SolvAero Consulting GmbH
Richard G. Morgan, University of Queensland
Natasha A. Neogi, NASA Langley Research Center
Robert Pearce, NASA
Mason Peck, Cornell University
Lisa J. Porter, LogiQ, Inc.
Joseph M. Powers, University of Notre Dame
Michael G. Ryschkewitsch, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
Murray L. Scott, Advanced Composite Structures Australia
Philippe R. Spalart, Flexcompute
Paul F. Taylor, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation
Manuel Torres, Lockheed Martin

Media 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  aiaa.org, and follow AIAA on X/Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

2025 Wright Brothers Lectureship in Aeronautics Awarded to Susan Ying, AMP2FLY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 30, 2025 – Reston Va. – AIAA is pleased to award the 2025 AIAA Wright Brothers Lectureship in Aeronautics to Susan Ying, AMP2FLY. Ying will deliver her lecture, “Emergence of Hybrid Electric Aircraft,” Wednesday, 23 July, 11:45 a.m. PT, during the 2025 AIAA AVIATION Forum, Las Vegas.

Ying’s lecture will provide an overview of past, present, and future Ampaire efforts to commercialize hybrid-electric aircraft. Prior work includes Ampaire’s flight of the first hybrid-electric test platform in 2019 (the Electric EEL), using both electric and traditional powertrains. Current work includes the Eco Caravan, which offers fuel savings over the original aircraft of up to 70% on short-hop routes and over 50% on long-haul flights, while still carrying nine passengers or cargo. Future work includes upgraded larger aircraft and clean sheet aircraft designs. She will highlight recent flight operations lending additional credibility to Ampaire’s plan for deploying hybrid-electric commercial service in the very near future.

Ying was the senior vice president of Global Partnerships, responsible for strategy and international partnerships at Ampaire, a deep tech start-up for electric commercial aircraft. In 2017, she retired from the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China as the chief integration officer. In 2013, she retired from The Boeing Company as director of Boeing Research and Technology. Demonstrating success both at individual and team levels, she has been the recipient of many honors, including the Chinese Government’s Friendship Award and NASA Group Achievement Award. Before joining Boeing, Ying taught at universities and directed research in the DOE Research Labs at ISU and FSU, as well as at NASA Ames Research Center.

Ying is currently a board member of ElFly, an electric amphibian aircraft start-up based in Norway, and the immediate past vice president, Aerospace, and board member of SAE International. Ying is an AIAA Fellow and Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society. She is the former president of the International Council of Aeronautical Sciences (ICAS). Ying holds a commercial pilot license and is an FAA-Certified Flight Instructor. She received her Ph.D. in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Stanford University and B.S. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from Cornell University.

The AIAA Wright Brothers Lectureship in Aeronautics commemorates the accomplishment of the Wright Brothers in creating the first practical airplane and also recognizes the success of their approach to problem-solving – beginning with study of the literature and including innovative thinking, constructive debate, systematic testing, and teamwork. In particular, the Wright Brothers Lectureship is awarded for the recent accomplishment of a significant “First in Aeronautical Engineering.” The lecture will highlight the details of the accomplishment and the approaches to meeting both the technical and programmatic challenges involved.

Registration for the forum is open now. Journalists can request a Press Pass online. For more information about the AIAA Honors and Awards program, contact Patricia A. Carr at [email protected].

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.