Tag: Awards

Air Force Taps Boeing to Begin B-52 Commercial Engine Replacement

Defense News reports, “In December the Air Force awarded Boeing Defense Systems a more than $2 billion contract to start the first engine replacements on the B-52H Stratofortress, marking a major step forward for the overhaul of the venerable Cold War-era bomber. In a Dec. 23 contract announcement, the Pentagon stated that the task order for the Commercial Engine Replacement Program, or CERP, requires Boeing to modify a pair of B-52s with new engines and associated subsystems — and then test the aircraft.”
Full Story (Defense News)

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.

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.

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 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 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 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.