Tag: Dan Dumbacher

AIA, AIAA Join Space Industry Coalition to Develop Skilled Technical Workforce

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 9, 2022 – Arlington, Va. – The Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) will join the new initiative to develop a skilled technical workforce announced by Vice President Kamala Harris at today’s National Space Council meeting at NASA Johnson Space Center.

“Exploration is part of America’s DNA and space is one of the most exciting frontiers. People power these missions, so expanding the space talent pool for all types of jobs is crucial,” said AIA President and CEO Eric Fanning. “Because demand for workers is rising, the supply needs to do the same. This initiative will allow industry to share ideas that are working and test whether they can be scaled to address this growing workforce need.”

Both organizations will be a part of a new coalition committed to working together to ramp up the space industry’s capacity to meet the rising workforce demand in critical areas of manufacturing, maintenance, quality control, and testing.

“During the past few months, this industry coalition has proven its commitment to meaningfully contribute to meeting the STEM workforce needs of today and tomorrow. Engagement by the National Space Council, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and the Department of Labor has helped structure the possibilities and provide key accountability for success. We are thrilled to see how together we are shaping the future of aerospace,” said AIAA Executive Director Dan Dumbacher.

To learn more about participating companies and the outcomes of today’s National Space Council meeting, click here.

AIA Media Contact: Tom Mattocks, [email protected], 336.264.5516 cell
AIAA Media Contact: Rebecca B. Gray, [email protected], 804.397.527

About AIA
For over 100 years, the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) has been the voice of the American aerospace and defense industry. Our work as an advocate and convener is essential to shaping policy, shedding light on the industry’s impact, and empowering its future. Our CEO-level officers from across our more than 300 member companies guide these efforts, strengthening the industry’s ability to effectively support America’s national security and economy. Together, we advocate for effective federal investments, accelerated deployment of innovative technologies, policies that enhance our global competitiveness, and recruitment and retention efforts that support a capable and diverse 21st century workforce.

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 TwitterFacebookLinkedIn, and Instagram.

AIAA, Iridium, OneWeb, SpaceX Release “Satellite Orbital Safety Best Practices” Reference Guide

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Authors will discuss at ASCENDx Webinar, 15 September

UPDATED September 9, 2022 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), along with Iridium Communications, Inc., OneWeb, and SpaceX, today announced the immediate release of a best practices reference guide, “Satellite Orbital Safety Best Practices,” to provide a foundation for discussions leading to a global consensus of behaviors for satellite operators. The guide is designed to help improve cooperative operations in space to ensure that future generations maximize the benefits of space on Earth. AIAA is providing access to download the reference guide today, in advance of a timely webinar to address the urgency of space traffic management and coordination. Industry professionals can join the authors of the document, low Earth orbit industry experts from major satellite constellation operators, to discuss its implementation:

ASCENDxSpace Traffic Management: Industry Advancing Orbital Safety
Thursday, 15 September, 1200 hrs ET USA
 Complimentary registration

This webinar will include remarks from Richard DalBello, Director, Office of Space Commerce, Department of Commerce, and Sandra Magnus, Principal, AstroPlanetview, LLC. The panel includes:

  • Matt Hejduk, Senior Project Leader, The Aerospace Corporation (Moderator)
  • John Guiney, Vice President, Fleet Operations Management, OneWeb
  • Dave Goldstein, Principal Guidance, Navigation and Control Engineer, SpaceX
  • Ryan Shepperd, Mission Planning and Orbital Analyst, Space Situational Awareness Lead, Iridium

The authors will also host a session during 2022 ASCEND, Las Vegas, 24–26 October. The panel discussion, META-07, Satellite Orbital Safety Best Practices, is the continuation of the work the group started during 2021 ASCEND to address the issue of space traffic management and coordination with meaningful actions. Registration for 2022 ASCEND is open with early bird rates effective through 9 September.

“We must face the urgent problem that tens of thousands of objects traveling at roughly 17,500 mph in low Earth orbit threaten launch vehicles, space assets, and human lives,” stated Dan Dumbacher, AIAA Executive Director. “We are pleased to facilitate these industry leaders in moving their conversation forward to publishing their ideas today, as a direct outcome of 2021 ASCEND. AIAA is committed to seeing improved space traffic management and coordination to help avoid a catastrophe in space.”

The “Satellite Orbital Safety Best Practices” reference guide outlines four points in time when operators should focus their safety planning efforts: Design Time, Pre-Launch and Early Orbit, On Orbit, and Satellite Disposal. The guidance is designed to be applicable to any satellite operator in the world, regardless of how they receive conjunction warnings.

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, LinkedIn, andInstagram.

AIAA Statement on Blue Origin’s Successful NS-22 Mission

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UPDATED: August 8, 2022 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Executive Director Dan Dumbacher made the following statement:

“On behalf of the 30,000 professional and student members of AIAA, we congratulate the Blue Origin team on its successful NS-22 mission.

This mission is especially meaningful to AIAA because several of our first Trailblazing STEM Educator Award winners attended in person. We were pleased to present this new award with Challenger Center earlier this year, celebrating K-12 teachers going above and beyond to inspire the next generation of explorers and innovators. Today, Jackie Blumer, Jennifer Cheesman, Cedric Turner, and Katrina Harden Williams witnessed an incredible step toward seeing millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. We can’t wait to see how they use their experience to spark their students’ curiosity about STEM subjects, as they help shape the future of aerospace.

AIAA is also honored to be one of Blue Origin’s Club for the Future partner organizations to help develop and inspire the next generation of space professionals.”

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 TwitterFacebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

AIAA Statement on White House Summit on Advanced Air Mobility

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 3, 2022 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Executive Director Dan Dumbacher made the following statement:

“On behalf of the 30,000 professional and student members of AIAA, we applaud the Biden Administration for holding the White House Advanced Air Mobility Summit (#WHAAMSummit) today. We were pleased to be part of this important event, joining other key stakeholders from the advanced air mobility (AAM) community.

AAM could embody the single greatest transformation for aviation business, science, and policy – and public perceptions – since the emergence of mainstream commercial aviation in the mid-20th century. With clear operational guidelines, regulations, and standards for accommodating and incorporating autonomy, we see a thriving integrated urban and regional airspace in the next decade. The benefits of autonomy will enhance safety for everyone and enable capabilities we are only just imagining.

The Institute is committed to bringing the aerospace technical community together – including industry executives, researchers, academicians, and government officials – to facilitate the needed technology development and to objectively address business and policy issues in AAM. It’s one of our priority Domain topics and our new AAM Task Force is already working on such matters.

AIAA encourages the executive branch to continue its leadership on AAM, working closely with our elected officials, so we all can realize the potential of this emerging industry sector.”

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 TwitterFacebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

AIAA Statement on the Apollo 1 Monument

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 17, 2022 – Reston, Va.  – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Executive Director Dan Dumbacher made the following statement:

“AIAA welcomes the long overdue new monument honoring Apollo 1 Astronauts Virgil “Gus” Grissom, Edward White, and Roger B. Chaffee recently placed at Arlington National Cemetery. It appropriately reads, “Ad astra per aspera,” or “Through hardships to the stars.”

We remember the tragedy on January 27, 1967, when a flash fire occurred in the command module during a launch pad test of the Apollo/Saturn space vehicle and the three astronauts died. We commend the efforts of NASA and the space community to remind us of the sacrifices astronauts and their families have made in our pursuit of the space frontier.

As the largest professional technical society for the aerospace profession, AIAA recognizes the Apollo 1 crew as integral to the success of the Apollo program as the foundation of the ongoing human exploration of space. Today, the 30,000 professional and student members of AIAA carry on their pursuit, shaping the future of aerospace.”

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.

Blue Origin Launches New Shepard on Fifth Crewed Suborbital Flight

Parabolic Arc reported that Blue Origin successfully launched its New Shepard rocket Saturday, completing “its fifth human spaceflight and the 21st flight for the New Shepard program.”  Launch occurred from Blue Origin’s Launch Site One in West Texas at 9:25 a.m. Eastern. The crew capsule landed 10 minutes after liftoff after reaching an altitude of approximately 66 miles, while the vehicle’s booster made a successful landing about three minutes earlier. The NS-21 crew included Evan Dick, Katya Echazarreta, Hamish Harding, Victor Correa Hespanha, Jaison Robinson, and Victor Vescovo.
Full Story (Parabolic Arc)
More Info (AIAA Statement)
 
 
 

 

 Video

Replay: New Shepard Mission NS-21 Webcast, 4 June 2022 (Blue Origin via YouTube)


AIAA Statement on Blue Origin’s Successful NS-21 Mission

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 4, 2022 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Executive Director Dan Dumbacher made the following statement:

“On behalf of the 30,000 professional and student members of AIAA, we congratulate the Blue Origin team on its successful NS-21 mission. This mission continues building on Blue Origin’s vision to see millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. We recognize the dedicated aerospace industry professionals involved in making today’s mission a success. We salute our corporate member, Blue Origin, and their entire team for helping shape the future of aerospace.

AIAA is honored to be one of Blue Origin’s Club for the Future partner organizations to help develop and inspire the next generation of space professionals.”

 

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 TwitterFacebook, 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, and follow AIAA on TwitterFacebookLinkedIn, and Instagram.

 

Register for ASCENDxSustainability, set for Wednesday, 8 June, online, or learn more.

 

 Video

Replay: New Shepard Mission NS-21 Webcast, 4 June 2022 (Blue Origin via YouTube)



AIAA Recognizes Technical Excellence in Aerospace During 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 25, 2022 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is pleased to announce the winners of technical excellence awards to be presented at several events this year.

“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.”

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

  • 2022 AIAA Theodor W. Knacke Aerodynamic Decelerator Systems Award

    Benjamin A. Tutt, Airborne SystemsBenjamin A. Tutt, Airborne Systems

    Award Citation: For a lifetime of continued excellence and leadership in the field of modeling and simulation of aerodynamic decelerators.

    The Theodor W. Knacke Aerodynamic Decelerator Systems Award is presented to an individual to recognize a lifetime of significant contributions to the advancement of aeronautical or aerospace systems through research, development, and application of the art and science of aerodynamic decelerator technology. This year’s award was presented during the 26th Aerodynamic Decelerator Systems Technology Conference and Seminar, 16-19 May, Toulouse, France.

  • 2022 AIAA Aeroacoustics Award

    Kenneth S. Brentner, Pennsylvania State UniversityKenneth S. Brentner, Pennsylvania State University

    Award Citation: For fundamental contributions to aeroacoustics and rotorcraft noise prediction, including the introduction of the permeable surface formulations of the Ffowcs Williams and Hawkings equation.

    The 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. This year’s award will be presented during the 28th AIAA/CEAS Aeroacoustics Conference, 14-17 June, United Kingdom.

  • 2022 AIAA Jeffries Aerospace Medicine and Life Sciences Research Award

    Peter Hancock, University of Central FloridaPeter Hancock, University of Central Florida

    Award Citation: For lifelong contributions to the human factors of aviation and aerospace safety and performance.

    Recognizing the importance to aeronautics of scientific endeavors in the field of medicine, the Jeffries Aerospace Medicine and Life Sciences Research Award was established in 1940 to honor the memory of the American physician, John Jeffries, whose scientific investigations were published in a “Narrative of Two Aerial Voyages” in 1786. This year’s award will be presented during the 51st International Conference on Environmental Systems (ICES), 10-14 July, St Paul, Minn.

  • 2022 AIAA Aerospace Communications Award

    Riccardo De Gaudenzi, European Space AgencyRiccardo De Gaudenzi, European Space Agency

    Award Citation: For technical contributions and management leadership in the development of innovative technologies and systems for telecommunications, navigation, and Earth observation applications.

    The Aerospace Communications Award is presented for an outstanding contribution in the field of aerospace communications. Candidates are individuals or small teams whose achievements have had a positive impact on technology and society. This year’s award will be presented during the 27th Ka and Broadband Communications Conference (Ka) and the 39th International Communications Satellite Systems Conference (ICSSC) and its Colloquium, 18-21 October, Italy.

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 2022 Design/Build/Fly Winners

Digital Engineering reports that AIAA has announced “the winners of the 26th annual AIAA/Textron Aviation/Raytheon Technologies Design/Build/Fly (DBF) Competition.” First place goes to the Georgia Institute of Technology, second place to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and third place to FH Joanneum University of Applied Sciences. The DBF objective for 2022 “was to design, build and test an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to deliver and drop vaccine components. Missions included deployment of the aircraft, staging of vaccination syringes and delivery of environmentally sensitive vaccine vial packages.” AIAA Executive Director Dan Dumbacher said, “Aerospace trains us to adapt to the unexpected. It’s a good lesson for students as they enter this vibrant and meaningful field.”
Full Story (Digital Engineering)
Learn More (Aerospace America)
Learn More (AIAA Statement)

AIAA Announces 2022 Regional Student Conference Winners

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 20, 2022 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is pleased to announce the winners of six of the 2022 Regional Student Conferences.

“We are thrilled to return to in-person AIAA Regional Student Conferences. These events are key to giving students practical experience presenting their research findings and receiving valuable feedback from professionals in the aerospace community,” said Dan Dumbacher, AIAA executive director. “We look forward to seeing how these students shape the future of aerospace!”

AIAA holds conferences in each region for university student members at the undergraduate and graduate levels. This is the first year since the program’s inception that High School Members were invited to present. The student conferences are a way for students to present their research and be judged on technical content and presentation skills by AIAA members working in the aerospace industry. Lockheed Martin was the generous sponsor of these conferences.

More than 170 papers were presented by university and high school students across all six regions, with over 500 students and professionals in attendance.

The first-place university student winners in each undergraduate, graduate, and team categories (listed below) are invited to attend and present their papers at the AIAA International Student Conference, to be held in conjunction with the 2023 AIAA SciTech Forum in National Harbor, Md., 23-27 January.

Region I Winners
High School Category

  • 1st Place – “Breaking Statistics of Airlines Sanitation Efforts,” Kristin Nelson, Natalie Catalano, and Ella Bianco, It’s a Girls World (Carneys Point, N.J.)

Undergraduate Category

  • 1st Place – “Estimation of UconAS Relative Position and Orientation Using Multiple Parwise Range Measurements,” Ezra Bregin, University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
  • 2nd Place – “Viability in Electric Propulsion in Small Satellites for Active Debris Removal,” Yaw Tung Tan, Kelly Irons, and Elaine Petro, Cornell University (Ithaca, N.Y.)
  • 3rd Place – “Trajectory Optimization for Refueling Geosynchronous Satellites,” Evangelina Evans, Pennsylvania State University (State College, Pa.)

Masters Category

  • 1st Place – “Use of Naphthalene Sublimation Technique to Study Solid Fuel Regression,” Grace Hall, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Blacksburg, Va.)
  • 2nd Place – “Large Deformation Bending of Ultralight Deployable Structure for Nano and Micro Class Satellites,” Jimesh Bhagatji and Oleksandr Kravchenko, Old Dominion University (Norfolk, Va.)
  • 3rd Place – “QCM Temperature-Frequency Characterization for Plume Measurement Application,” Arthur Chadwick and Elaine Petro, Cornell University (Ithaca, N.Y.)

Team Category

  • 1st Place – “Jovian Autonomous Sailplane of Persistent Exploration and Research (JASPER),” Joseph Malach, Edward Luthartio, Haley Parker, Sydney Kwitowski, Aiman Alobah, Alexander Hertz, Sayad Asif, Javid Bagandor, University at Buffalo, State University of New York (Buffalo, N.Y.)
  • 2nd Place – “Development of Spectroscopic Measurement Systems of Investigating Scramjet Cavity Flameholding,” Andrew Metro, Spencer Barnes, Owen Petito, and Chloe Dedic, University of Virginia (Charlottesville, Va.)
  • 3rd Place – “Design and Analysis for an Ionospheric CubeSat,” Tyler Lizotte, Phillip Durgin, Jeremy Gagnon, Veronika Karshina, Christopher Ritter, Harrison Smith, Drake Tierney, and Samuel Waring, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (Worcester, Mass.)

AIAA Aircraft Operations Technical Committee Best Aircraft Operations Paper

  • “IR Detection System for Application in Wildfire Suppression,” Adam Del Colliano, University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)

Region II Winners
Undergraduate Category

  • 1st Place – “Development and Fabrication of an Ultrasonic MEMS Anemometer for Use in Low-Pressure Environments,” Alexander Reilly, University of Florida (Gainesville, Fla.)
  • 2nd Place – “Developing a Bio-Inspired Artificial Butterfly Vehicle,” Thomas Clark and Chang-kwon Kang, University of Alabama in Huntsville (Huntsville, Ala.)
  • 3rd Place – “Application of Vibrational Damping on Spacecraft Crew Capsule Design Using Common Aerospace Materials,” Kody Parsotan and Seshan Jayapregasham, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Daytona Beach, Fla.)

Masters Category

  • 1st Place Mike Freeman Award – Investigation of shock-wave Boundary Layer interaction for a Mach 1.8 flow Isolator,” Larry Thompson and Michael Atkinson, North Carolina A&T State University (Greensboro, N.C.)
  • 2nd Place – “View Factors and Busemann Geometry for Ram Accelerator Projectile Design,” Conor McGibbony and Eric Booth, Southeastern Louisiana University (Hammond, La.)
  • 3rd Place – “On the Kármán–Pohlhausen Momentum-Integral Approach: Extension to Flow Over a Cylinder with a Variable Pressure Gradient,” Rudy Al Ahmar and Joseph Majdalani, Auburn University (Auburn, Ala.)

Team Category

  • 1st Place Stan Powell Award – “Lunar Lava Tube Exploration with CubeRover: Wandering Observer of Lunar Features (WOLF) Rover,” Alina Creamer, Brigid Donohue, Bennett Meyer, and Manuel Puyana, North Carolina State University (Raleigh, N.C.)
  • 2nd Place – “Solid Propellant Arc Combustion for Small Satellite Propulsion,” Mallory Roy, Ashley Rivkin, Samuel Lovelace, Jessica Cutler, Nathan Fischer, Victor Robleto, Sean Gunther, Emily Milne, and Abram Murphy, Florida Institute of Technology (Melbourne, Fla.)
  • 3rd Place – “Racing Drones for STEM Education,” Mackenzie Wiles, Bryce Fuson, and Michelle Engelke, Florida Institute of Technology (Melbourne, Fla.)

Outstanding Branch Activity Category

  • 1st Place – “GT AIAA: Lockheed Martin Case Study,” Georgia Institute of Technology (Atlanta, Ga.)
  • 2nd Place – “Community Outreach in STEM at Florida Tech,” Florida Institute of Technology (Melbourne, Fla.)
  • 3rd Place – “Career Networking Events—Meet the Geeks,” Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Daytona Beach, Fla.)

Regional Design Team Category

  • 1st Place – “UofM NERD Team Rover Design,” University of Memphis (Memphis, Tenn.)

Freshman/Sophomore Open Topic Category

  • 1st Place – “The Future of Aviation in Zero Carbon Emissions Aircraft,” Shannon Tracy, Florida Institute of Technology (Melbourne, Fla.)
  • 2nd Place – “Lunar Mining of Tritium,” Beck Kerridge and Colin Zelasko, Florida Institute of Technology (Melbourne, Fla.)
  • 3rd Place – “Spacecraft Attitude Control Methods,” Jesus Delgado, Florida Institute of Technology (Melbourne, Fla.)

Region III Winners
Undergraduate Category

  • 1st Place – “Design of an All-Terrain Aerial Robotic Interface (ATARI) as a Collaborative Platform for UAVs,” Rebecca Gilligan, University of Cincinnati (Cincinnati, Ohio)
  • 2nd Place – “A Thermodynamics Analysis for Improvement of Carbon Dioxide Removal Technologies for Space,” Meghan Thai, Purdue University (West Lafayette, Ind.)
  • 3rd Place – “Practical Investigation into the Diffusion Bonding of 316L Stainless Steel with Boron Carbide,” Timothy DeFranco and Calvin Chandler, Ohio State University (Columbus, Ohio)

Masters Category

  • 1st Place – “Optimization of Heat Release within a Dual-Mode Ramjet Using Ignition Delay Energy Source Terms,” Francis Centlivre, Wright State University (Dayton, Ohio)
  • 2nd Place – “Hypersonic Vehicle Conceptual Design Tools Assessment,” James Wnek, Wright State University (Dayton, Ohio)
  • 3rd Place – “Comparison and Uncertainty Quantification of Roof Pressure Measurements in the NIST and TPU Aerodynamic Databases,” Erick Shelley, Erin Hubbard, and Wei Zhang, Cleveland State University (Cleveland, Ohio)

Team Category

  • 1st Place – “Optimization of a Lenz Style VAWT Geometry Utilizing CFD and Genetic Algorithms,” Dylan Habig, Timothy Mayer, Trevor Ransbury, Brandon Frymire, Luke McClung, and James Canino, Trine University (Angola, Ind.)
  • 2nd Place – “Using Classical Control Theory to Optimize Cooldown Phase Propellent Flow Rate for a Nuclear Thermal Rocket Engine,” David Giancola, Angel Eng, James Midkiff, Jeff Simko, and Joanna Valentas, Ohio State University (Columbus, Ohio)
  • 3rd Place – “Investigation of Flow Control for a Piston Positive Expulsion Bipropellant Tank,” Raghav Bhagwat, Joseph Januszewski, Chris Petrilla, and John Horack, Ohio State University (Columbus, Ohio)

Region IV Winners
Undergraduate Category

  • 1st Place – “Design, Analysis, and Manufacture of a Vacuum Pump Sound-Dampening Enclosure,” Connor Goodman and Joseph Hernandez-McCloskey, University of Texas at San Antonio (San Antonio, Texas)
  • 2nd Place – “Topological Optimization and Generative Design of Drone Structures (A research project to promote a new aerospace educational industry in underdeveloped countries),” Sofia Gutierrez and Juan Ocampo, Saint Mary’s University (San Antonio, Texas)
  • 3rd Place – “Experimental Evaluation of 14-Inch to 20-Inch Diameter Propellers at Low Reynolds Number Operation,” Austin Rouser, Brock Rouser, and Kurt Rouser, Oklahoma State University (Stillwater, Okla.)

Masters Category

  • 1st Place – “Thermodynamic analysis of nitric oxide in an optically accessible, temperature-controlled gas cell via laser absorption spectroscopy,” Benjamin Steavenson, Joseph Hernandez-McCloskey, and Daniel Pineda, University of Texas at San Antonio (San Antonio, Texas)
  • 2nd Place – “Deep neural network for measurements in a non-uniform flowfield using single line-of-sight laser absorption spectroscopy,” Kyle Fetter, Joseph Hernandez-McCloskey, and Daniel Pineda, University of Texas at San Antonio (San Antonio, Texas)
  • 3rd Place – “Effects of Surface Roughness on Shock-Wave/Boundary-Layer Interaction using a Hollow Flare Cylinder Model,” Matt Garcia and Christopher Combs, University of Texas at San Antonio (San Antonio, Texas)

Team Category

  • 1st Place – “Design of the UTSA High-Enthalpy Shock Tube Facility,” Joseph Hernandez-McCloskey, Benjamin Steavenson, Andrew Alexander, Shelby Franklin, and Carson Bush, University of Texas at San Antonio (San Antonio, Texas)
  • 2nd Place – “Engine Redesign and Integration of Rocket Assisted Take-Off on a Small, High-Speed Unmanned Aircraft,” Jeremy Barton, Mahayla Mitchell, Devin Bishop, Tevin James, Mason Jernigan, Callahan Morris, Chase Wilson, Ben Sanford, Romain Bailey, and Cooper Degner, Oklahoma State University (Stillwater, Okla.)
  • 3rd Place – “Stratospheric Conductivity Balloon Campaign With Accessible Payload Design,” Alexandra Ulinski, Rachel Nathan, Andy Nguyencuu, Carlos Salas, Elizabeth Hernandez, and Edgar Bering, University of Houston (Houston, Texas)

Region V Winners
Undergraduate Category

  • 1st Place – “Experimental Verification of the USAFA 1-DOF Dynamic Stability Characterization Capability and Future 3-DOF Cross Coupling Enhancements,” Molly Ellinger, Jacob Szymanski, and Casey Fagley, United States Air Force Academy (Air Force Academy, Colo.)
  • 2nd Place – “Typical Section Models for Body Freedom Flutter,” Nicholas Hawley and Samuel Stanton, United States Air Force Academy (Air Force Academy, Colo.)
  • 3rd Place – “Circular Restricted Three Body Problem for Lunar Position, Navigation, and Timing System,” Kaitlyn Roberts and Lt Col Nathan Collins, United States Air Force Academy (Air Force Academy, Colo.)

Masters Category

  • 1st Place – “A Multi-Agent UAS Path-finding Algorithm for Unmanned Traffic Management Operations,” Justin Nguyen and Mujahid Abdulrahim, University of Missouri–Kansas City (Kansas City, Mo.)
  • 2nd Place – “Development of Multi-Mission UAS Design Optimization and Prototyping Architectures,” Austin Stark, Alan Cordon, and Mujahid Abdulrahim, University of Missouri–Kansas City (Kansas City, Mo.)
  • 3rd Place – “Tip Shape, Height, and Thickness Influences on Nonlinear Acoustic Damping from Baffle Blades,” Joseph Day and J. Matt Quinlan, University of Colorado Colorado Springs (Colorado Springs, Colo.)

Team Category

  • 1st Place – “Design of Large-Scale 3D Printed Components for UAV Cargo Transport,” Cody Watson, Caroline Dixon, and Nate Kuczun, University of Colorado Boulder (Boulder, Colo.)
  • 2nd Place – “Open Source Evaluation of the Performance Capabilities of the Chengdu J-20 Fighter Future Propulsion System,” Jacob Ellison, Molly Ellinger, Ryan Chen, Joseph McCaffrey, Gavin Ross, Alicia Kwasny, Saif Dabash, Emily Huber, Shane Lindsay, Isaac Monson, and Connor Wiese, United States Air Force Academy (Air Force Academy, Colo.)
  • 3rd Place – “CubIST: CubeSat Integrated Star Tracker,” Chesney Boal, Natalie Link, Cameron Humphreys, Chava Friedman, Nicolena Weber, Quaid Garton, Matthew Gedrich, Chad Pflieger, Maria Callas, and Josephine Johnson, University of Colorado Boulder (Boulder, Colo.)

Region VI Winners
High School Category

  • 1st Place – “Computational Fluid Dynamics For a Solar Car,” Lucien Freemesser and Hai Lin Truman, Raisbeck Aviation High School (Tukwila, Wash.)
  • 2nd Place Tie – “Creating an Alpha Indicator for a Schweizer 2-33,” Canaan Cortes, Mother of Divine Grace High School (Ojai, Calif.)
  • 2nd Place Tie – “Synthesis and Applications of Flash Joule Heating Graphene for Manufacturing in Space,” Andrew Lusk and Joseph Whitesell, Calvary Chapel High School (Santa Ana, Calif.)

Undergraduate Category

  • 1st Place – “Thermal Analysis of Boron/PVDF and Boron Carbide/PVDF Mixtures,” Moussa Coulibaly and Joseph Kalman, California State University, Long Beach (Long Beach, Calif.)
  • 2nd Place – “Processing of High-Speed Video Data for Rotating Detonation Engines,” David Menn, University of Washington (Seattle, Wash.)
  • 3rd Place – “An Empirical Study of Baffle Impact on Diffusive Fuel/Oxidizer Mixing with Simulant Gases,” Carter Vu, University of Washington (Seattle, Wash.)

Masters Category

  • 1st Place – “Modification of Supersonic to Hypersonic Wind Tunnel by Sizing Heater for High Enthalpy Conditions,” Justin Slavick and Nandeesh Hiremath, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (San Luis Obispo, Calif.)

Team Category

  • 1st Place – “Design of a Lunar Architecture for Tree Traversal in Service of Cabled Exploration (LATTICE),” Kaila Comibra, Calle Junker, Lucas Pabarcious, Malcolm Tisdale, Jedidiah Alindogan, Robert Daigle, Nathan Ng, Parul Singh, Tomás Wexler, and Soon-Jo Chung, California Institute of Technology (Pasadena, Calif.)
  • 2nd Place – “Water Impact of Rigid Biconic Geometries: An Experimental Investigation into Space Capsule Splashdown Events,” Vihan Krishnan, Kirin Peterson, Pinhua Guo, and Mahmood Alfayoumi, University of Southern California (Los Angeles, Calif.)
  • 3rd Place Tie – “Characterization of Additively Manufactured Fuel Grains for Hybrid Rocket Applications,” Jacob Davies, Lance Mayhue, and Jenna Matus, University of Southern California (Los Angeles, Calif.)
  • 3rd Place Tie – “Harvesting Thermal Energy from Frictional Braking by using a Thermoelectric Medium,” Victoria Malarczyk, Cade Hermeston, Will Soiland, Joseph Weissig, and Luke Wilson, University of Southern California (Los Angeles, Calif.)

Media Contact: Rebecca B. Gray, AIAA, [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 TwitterFacebookLinkedIn, and Instagram.