Tag: From the Institute

Region V Student Conference Brings Together a Community to Share Ideas and Celebrate Innovation

From the Institute
From 26 to 27 March, the AIAA Region V Student Conference was held at Iowa State University. The conference included everything from engaging technical presentations to conversations with passionate high school and college students, and it was clear the future of aerospace is in incredibly capable hands. What stood out most was the community of students, faculty, and professionals all coming together to support one another, share ideas, and celebrate innovation.

ASCEND 2026 Puts “Need for Speed” at the Center of National Security Space

FROM THE INSTITUTE
Space is no longer a benign operating environment. It is a contested warfighting domain, where adversaries are rapidly expanding counter-space capabilities and testing U.S. resilience on orbit and across the industrial base. Against this backdrop, ASCEND 2026 will feature its most robust national security programming to date showing how the United States can outpace adversaries, harden critical space infrastructure, and transform its space industrial base.

Novaspace Adds Market Intelligence Lens to ASCEND with New Programming on Key Trends

FROM THE INSTITUTE
Novaspace will make its ASCEND debut this year with a dedicated half day aimed at unpacking three of the space sector’s fastest-moving trends: direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity, cloud-enabled space infrastructure, and the next AI-fueled era of remote sensing. The programming on 21 May, marks the first time the consultancy has served as a programming partner for ASCEND.

Pickering Lecture to Feature NASA–ISRO Radar Mission’s Early Findings at ASCEND 2026

FROM THE INSTITUTE
Paul A. Rosen, project scientist at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), will deliver the Pickering Lecture at ASCEND 2026 on Thursday, 21 May. A 34-year NASA veteran and JPL Fellow who specializes in interferometric synthetic aperture radar (SAR), Rosen will detail early findings from the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission and how it is changing the ways scientists and agencies monitor Earth.

BryceTech to Steer Investment and Innovation Conversation at ASCEND 2026

FROM THE INSTITUTE
When ASCEND 2026 convenes in Washington, D.C., 19-21 May, BryceTech will step into a new role: curating a dedicated two-day track that aims to connect investors, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders across the commercial space ecosystem. “We set this up … with the theme of investment and innovators,” said Elaine Gresham, director of the Space Center of Excellence at BryceTech, explaining that 19 May is designated as Investors Day and 20 May as Innovators Day.

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ASCEND 2026 Program to Launch with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman

FROM THE INSTITUTE
ASCEND 2026 will open on Tuesday, 19 May, with keynote remarks from Jared Isaacman, the 15th Administrator of NASA. It’s not his first time appearing at ASCEND. Isaacman spoke at ASCEND in 2021, just after returning from commanding Inspiration4, the first all-civilian orbital spaceflight. Now he’ll share perspectives from his new role leading America’s space program.

Technical Rigor, Professionalism, and Enthusiasm on Display at AIAA Region II Student Conference

FROM THE INSTITUTE
The 2026 AIAA Region II Student Conference, brought together more than 330 attendees and featured 105 student presentations. The event provided a valuable forum for students to showcase their work in a professional setting, receive real-time feedback from experienced practitioners serving as judges, and build connections with peers and professionals across academia, industry, and government. AIAA Region II Director Emeritus Kurt Polzin noted that “the conference creates an environment where students can refine their ideas, strengthen their communication skills, and gain confidence presenting complex work to a broader audience.”

Human Judgment in the Age of Autonomous Warfare: Why Congress Must Keep Human Oversight in Military Decisions

FROM THE INSTITUTE
As we navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of modern warfare, artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a game changer. From analyzing intelligence and refining targeting processes to streamlining logistics and enhancing capabilities in autonomous platforms across various domains such as air, land, sea, and even space, AI is reshaping how we think about conflict. The potential advantages are significant: quicker decision-making, better situational awareness, and the ability to operate effectively even in chaotic environments.

The Space Station’s Past and Future Converge at ASCEND 2026

FROM THE INSTITUTE
The International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory will bring a full day of programming to ASCEND 2026 on Tuesday, 19 May, plus nearly 60 technical papers on ISS utilization and space-based research expected to be presented on Wednesday and Thursday, 20–21 May. From microgravity-enabled medical breakthroughs to startup innovation in low Earth orbit (LEO), the ISS National Lab sessions are designed to show how researchers and commercial players alike are using the orbiting laboratory as an engine for science, technology, and a sustainable space economy.