FROM THE INSTITUTE
AIAA Book Talks highlights books and authors published by AIAA. The series provides a forum to introduce newly released titles, new editions, discuss key themes and contributions, and explore how these works support ongoing research, teaching and scholarship in aerospace science and engineering. The first online seminar will be held 11 March with the authors of The Anatomy of Autonomy.
Tag: From the Institute
AIAA SciTech Forum Student Paper Competitions
FROM THE INSTITUTE
AIAA Student Paper Competitions recognize outstanding student research presented at AIAA forums and events. The competitions give undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to present original technical work, gain professional recognition, and receive feedback from their peers in industry and academia. We are pleased to announce the winners of the competitions held at AIAA SciTech Forum 2026.
My Daily Launch Will Not Publish 16 February
FROM THE INSTITUTE
In observance of Presidents’ Day, we will not publish on Monday, 16 February. Service will resume on Tuesday, 17 February.
Forget Cloud: Istari Unveils “Ground,” A New Data Sharing Infrastructure Tailored for Aerospace
The internet – convenient, data-centralized, and governed by a single “I agree” consent button – is fundamentally misaligned with the needs of aerospace, defense, and other sectors that guard valuable intellectual property and classified information. That’s the message from Will Roper, chief executive officer and founder of Istari Digital and former Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, at an AIAA SciTech Forum 2026 session titled, “A Level Digital Playing Field – Vision & Urgency.”
Full Story (Aerospace America)
Soft Power and the Race to the Moon: Why Cislunar Norms Are the Next Hill to Hold
FROM THE INSTITUTE
For most of the Space Age, geopolitics played out in Earth orbit. That era is ending. The next strategic arena is cislunar space which is the vast volume from geosynchronous orbit out to, around, and including the moon. Cislunar space is sought after because it provides the ability to host the infrastructure that makes deep-space operations routine: communications relays, navigation beacons, refueling depots, scientific observatories, and eventually sustained lunar surface activity, including commercial operations.
Career Accelerator Ignites Student Momentum at AIAA SciTech Forum
FROM THE INSTITUTE
At AIAA SciTech Forum, a new student-focused career development program made a powerful debut—drawing packed rooms, buzzing conversations, and a palpable sense of momentum for the next generation of aerospace leaders. Designed as a full-day immersive experience, the Career Accelerator Program put university students front and center, equipping them with practical tools, inspiration, and direct access to industry leaders.
How a Tiny Plasma Device Could Reduce Drag and Make Future Aircraft Faster and Cleaner
FROM THE INSTITUTE
A tiny plasma device may hold the key to a long‑standing problem in aviation: skin‑friction drag. A thin strip of electrodes that ionizes the air (plasma) on an aircraft’s skin could make the aircraft more efficient, while using a minimum amount of energy. Thomas Corke, Clark Chair Professor of Engineering at the University of Notre Dame and the founding director of the university’s Flow Physics and Control Institute, explained that such a device can help a plane glide through the sky with less effort – without spending any more energy – by reducing drag, a long-standing challenge in aviation.
Resilient Student Scholarship Empowers Future Aerospace Researcher
FROM THE INSTITUTE
AIAA and Club for the Future’s Resilient Student Scholarship supports students interested in pursuing a degree in aerospace. The recipient of the 2025 $10,000 AIAA and Club for the Future Resilient Student Scholarship, Robert Morris, is a bright star in his first year at Howard University.
Building Transatlantic Ties: AIAA Advances Collaboration Across Germany
FROM THE INSTITUTE
In January, an AIAA delegation traveled across Germany to strengthen institutional partnerships, engage with student branches, and connect with organizations shaping the future of aerospace innovation. The three-day visit spanned Hamburg, Stuttgart, and Munich, underscoring the value of collaboration across industry, academia, and the next generation of aerospace leaders.
Lockheed’s AI Factory: Turning a “Digital Thread” Into a Battle-Ready Advantage
FROM THE INSTITUTE
A new AI platform that provides defense-grade security across environments is now available from Lockheed Martin, which has created a subsidiary to manage it. Astris AI provides the company’s AI Factory, offering an all-in-one operating model for all users. Companies or agencies that use it get access to the full arsenal of AI components available at the nation’s largest defense contractor.