Tag: Sandra Magnus

ASCEND 2026 Assembles Space Industry’s Most Influential Voices in Washington, D.C.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 31, 2026 – Reston, Va. – AIAA announced today a powerful lineup of speakers who will take the stage at ASCEND 2026, 19–21 May, Washington Hilton, Washington, D.C. The event will address the most important opportunities and mission-critical challenges at this pivotal time for the space community.

“We are proud to bring the global space community to experience ASCEND in Washington, D.C. Eight leading organizations from across the industry are joining the ASCEND team this year and strengthening our content to deliver a must-attend event,” said AIAA CEO Clay Mowry.

“This year’s program is timely and transformative, as the space community looks to accelerate exploration and science. ASCEND 2026 will showcase the leading voices from space commerce, security, and policy to build our off-world future. It will be the most comprehensive gathering of space professionals in the nation’s capital in 2026 with 2,000 participants expected,” Mowry added.

Powered by AIAA, ASCEND is the world’s premier outcomes-focused, interdisciplinary space event designed to accelerate building our off-world future. Lockheed Martin is the Founding Sponsor of ASCEND. Commercial Space Federation (CSF) is the Premier Event Partner. Event partners include: BryceTech, ISS National Laboratory, National Air and Space Museum, Novaspace, Space Force Association (SFA), Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), and The Aerospace Corporation.

Over 200 industry luminaries from across the civil, commercial, and national security space sectors, adjacent industries, and the next-generation workforce are featured as speakers. Confirmed speakers include:

Erik Antonsen, M.D., Ph.D., Massachusetts General Hospital / Harvard Medical School
The Honorable Brian Babin (TX-36), Chair, House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
Olga Bannova, Research Professor, University of Houston
David Baumann, Director, Human Research Program, NASA
Harriet Brettle, Executive Director, Keck Institute for Space Studies
Will Bruey, CEO, Varda
Tory Bruno, President, Blue National Security, Blue Origin
A.C. Charania, Senior Vice President of Space Business Development, Zeno Power
Anne Cheever, Founder, Vela Scientific
Carissa Christensen, Founder and CEO, BryceTech
Jonathan Cirtain, CEO & President, Axiom Space
John Conafay, CEO, Integrate Space
Katie Cranor, Executive Director, Office of Operational Safety, Office of Commercial Space Transportation, FAA
Shawn Domagal-Goldman, Director, Astrophysics Division, NASA
Jonny Dyer, CEO, Muon Space
Shirley Dyke, Donald A. and Patricia A. Coates Professor of Innovation in Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University
Debra Facktor, Head of US Space Systems, Airbus US Space & Defense
David Goldstein, Principal Guidance, Navigation and Control Engineer, SpaceX
James “Jim” Green, CEO, Space Science Endeavors
Dana “Keoki” Jackson, Senior Vice President and General Manager, MITRE National Security, and AIAA President-Elect
Taylor Jordan, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Environmental Observation and Prediction, NOAA
Mike Kincaid, President & Executive Director, Challenger Center
Josef Koller, Head of Space Safety and Sustainability, Amazon Leo
Joe Landon, Co-Founder & President, Rendezvous Robotics
Kris Lehnhardt, M.D., Director, Space Medicine Program, UTHealth Houston
Dana Levin, Director of Space Medicine and Human Research, Vast Inc.
Janna Lewis, Senior Vice President, Policy & General Counsel, Astroscale US
Robert Lightfoot, President, Lockheed Martin Space
Laura Lucier, Chief, Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science Division, NASA
Ray Lugo, CEO, ISS National Laboratory
Sandra Magnus, Principal, AstroPlanetview LLC
Scott McLaughlin, Executive Director, Spaceport America
Kristen McQuinn, Mission Head, Roman Space Telescope, Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI)
Rob Meyerson, CEO, Interlune
Mike Moses, President, Spaceline, Virgin Galactic
Clay Mowry, CEO, AIAA
Michelle Murray, Deputy Director, Office of Strategic Management, Office of Commercial Space Transportation, FAA
Clive Neal, Professor of Planetary Geology, University of Notre Dame
Charles Norton, Chief Technology Strategist, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Michael Roberts, Chief Scientist, ISS National Laboratory
Ryan Shepperd, Lead SSA Engineer, Iridium
Erika Wagner, Lead, US Business Development, The Exploration Company-US
Matthew Weinzierl, Professor & Senior Associate Dean, Harvard Business School

Dynamic Sessions Featured All Week

Deep technical content scheduled. AIAA events are well known for the depth of technical content presented, with over 200 technical presentations and collaborative sessions at ASCEND. ISS National Laboratory will bring even more technical presentations from its microgravity community that has been conducting research onboard the orbiting lab.
CSF will host its two-day Commercial Space Policy Summit (CSPS), 19–20 May. From launch cadence and regulatory reform to lunar and orbital infrastructure, national security, and the future of commercial space stations, this year’s Summit will tackle the most pressing issues shaping the space economy. Registration for CSPS includes access to ASCEND.
The Aerospace Corporation will host a Classified Day at the TS/SCI level on 18 May at its Chantilly, Virginia, office, with additional registration required. Additionally, they will host the Space Transformation Track on 21 May, comprising sessions designed to accelerate the space industrial base and progress in national priority areas for space.
BryceTech will host its inaugural Start-up Space Pitch Competition. Start-ups from across space and space-adjacent industries (series A or earlier) can apply. Finalists will pitch start-up space experts during ASCEND 2026. One winner will receive a Start-up Space Advisory Package from BryceTech, a one-year AIAA Corporate Membership, and more. Applications are open through 19 April.
The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum will host a three-session deep dive into preserving the ISS National Laboratory as we prepare for its end of mission. Why save ISS heritage? What should be saved from the ISS? How will we recover items from ISS?
SGAC will host its SGx 2026 event, 17–18 May, focused on cultivating the next generation of space leaders with “lightning talks” followed by moderated Q&A panels that tackle pressing issues and innovative ideas to inspire the next generation of space leaders. Additional registration required through SGAC.

Early-Bird Registration Rates Available

Registration for ASCEND 2026 is open now, with early-bird rates available until 20 April. Journalists should request a Press Pass online.

Since 2020, ASCEND has promoted 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.

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

2024 ASCEND to Accelerate Our Off-World Future with Axiom Space, Boeing, DARPA, Lockheed Martin, NASA, Northrop Grumman, NRO, ULA, and U.S. Space Force

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 7, 2024 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) today announced dozens of speakers who will appear at its upcoming ASCEND event, 30 July – 1 August, Caesars Forum, Las Vegas. ASCEND is the world’s premier outcomes-focused, interdisciplinary space event designed to accelerate building our off-world future.

Powered by AIAA, ASCEND serves as the nexus for addressing the most important opportunities and challenges that come with increased activity in space today. Over 200 industry luminaries from across the civil, commercial, and national security space sectors, adjacent industry representatives, and next-generation thinkers from around the world are scheduled to speak. Confirmed speakers include:

A.C. Charania, Chief Technologist, NASA
Carissa Christensen, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, BryceTech*
Debra Emmons, Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, The Aerospace Corporation
Barbara Golf, Strategic Advisor for Space Domain Awareness, Space Systems Command, Los Angeles Air Force Base, U.S. Space Force (USSF)
Janet Grondin, CEO, Stellar Solutions
Matt Kozlov, Managing Director, Techstars
Michael López-Alegría, Chief Astronaut, Axiom Space
Sandra Magnus, TraCSS Chief Engineer, MITRE/Office of Space Commerce*
Tom Marshburn, Chief Medical Officer, Sierra Space
Rob Meyerson, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Interlune*
Maj. Michael Nayak, USAF, Program Manager, DARPA
Shawna Pandya, Director, International Institute for Astronautical Sciences (IIAS)*
Nelson Pedreiro, Vice President, Advanced Technology Center, Lockheed Martin Space
Mark Peller, Senior Vice President, Vulcan Development and Advanced Programs, United Launch Alliance (ULA)
Christopher Scolese, Director, National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)
Lt. Gen. John Shaw, USSF (Ret.), Former Deputy Commander, U.S. Space Command
Lauren Smith, Senior Program Manager, Satellite Refueling, Northrop Grumman*
Lee Steinke, Chief Operating Officer, CisLunar Industries
Melanie Stricklan, Executive Director, Space Workforce 2030, Space Foundation
Mandy Vaughn, CEO and Founder, GXO
Kurt Vogel, Associate Administrator, Space Technology Mission Directorate, NASA
Kelly Weinersmith, Co-Author, A City on Mars
Matthew Weinzierl, Senior Associate Dean and Chair, MBA Program; Joseph and Jacqueline Elbling Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School*
Noelle Zietsman, Vice President and Chief Engineer, Boeing Exploration Systems*

*Member of the 2024 ASCEND Guiding Coalition

Many more speakers will be announced as they are confirmed. In addition, hundreds of technical papers and collaborative sessions are scheduled, featuring expert researchers and innovators that anchor the event with the long-term thinking required to build a sustainable off-world future.

“This year, we’re co-locating ASCEND with the AIAA AVIATION Forum in one venue. These two signature AIAA events will deliver full technical programs, visionary discussions, and industry networking our community counts on. With a central Expo Hall serving as the bridge between both events’ communities, we believe attendees will be energized by this unique experience. We look forward to welcoming thousands of aerospace professionals and students from across the aerospace sector,” said AIAA CEO Dan Dumbacher.

Registration for the 2024 ASCEND event is open. Early bird rates end on 10 June. Journalists from around the world are invited to cover 2024 ASCEND; press passes are available for credentialed media by request. For more information, visit ascend.events, or follow ASCEND on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.

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.

Prominent Space Luminaries from DLR, ESA, NASA, and More Added to 2023 ASCEND

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 29, 2023 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) today announced several prominent space luminaries who have been added to the three-day program at 2023 ASCEND, 23–25 October, Caesars Forum, Las Vegas. ASCEND is the world’s premier outcomes-focused, interdisciplinary space event designed to accelerate building our off-world future.

These newly confirmed speakers cut across the international, civil, commercial, and national security space sectors, including:

Peter Gräf, Director for Applications & Science, DLR
John M. Grunsfeld, Endless Frontier Associates, LLC; former NASA Associate Administrator, Science Mission Directorate, and former NASA astronaut
The Honorable Steven J. Isakowitz, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Aerospace Corporation
Janet Kavandi, President and Chief Science Officer, Sierra Space
Col. Richard Kniseley, Senior Materiel Leader, Commercial Space Office Lead, U.S. Space Force
Sandra Magnus, Chief Engineer for the Traffic Coordination System for Space, Office of Space Commerce, Department of Commerce, and former NASA astronaut
Col. Pamela Melroy, USAF (Ret.), Deputy Administrator, NASA
Daniel Neuenschwander, Director for Human and Robotic Exploration, ESA
George T. Whitesides, Partner, Convective Capital, and former CEO, Virgin Galactic

Registration for the 2023 ASCEND event is open now. Journalists from around the world are invited to cover 2023 ASCEND; press passes are available for credentialed media by request.

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

AIAA Announces 2023 ASCEND Guiding Coalition Comprised of Prominent Leaders Across the Aerospace Community and Adjacent Industries

June 26, 2023 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is proud to announce the 44 members of the 2023 ASCEND Guiding Coalition who represent a diverse mix of leading aerospace companies, government agencies, and academic institutions, each with a shared commitment to the mission of ASCEND to Accelerate Space Commerce, Exploration, and New Discovery.

The ASCEND Guiding Coalition is an advisory board of technology, science, engineering, and business leaders selected to help maximize ASCEND’s reach and impact, including the design and content of its centerpiece annual event. 2023 ASCEND is scheduled for 23–25 October, Caesars Forum, Las Vegas, focused on building our sustainable off-world future through collaboration.

“The members of the ASCEND Guiding Coalition bring a wealth of experience and expertise as leaders in commercial space operations, government space policy, science and technology policy, new entrepreneurial ventures, and business strategy. We are thrilled for their involvement so we can build our off-world future faster,” said Julie Van Kleeck, ASCEND Executive Producer and AIAA Space Domain Lead.

The members of the 2023 ASCEND Guiding Coalition are:

Sirisha Bandla, Vice President, Government Affairs, Virgin Galactic
Bill Beckman, Director, NASA Programs, Boeing Global Sales and Marketing
Tejpaul Bhatia, Chief Revenue Officer, Axiom Space
Robert (Bobby) D. Braun, Head, Space Exploration Sector, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
Tory Bruno, CEO, United Launch Alliance
Lt. Gen. DeAnna Burt, Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Operations, Cyber, and Nuclear, United States Space Force*
Steven (Bucky) J. Butow, Director, Space Portfolio, Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)*
Johnathon Caldwell, Vice President and General Manager, Military Space, Lockheed Martin
Ahsan Choudhuri, Associate Vice President for Aerospace Center and Professor of Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at El Paso
Carissa Christensen, CEO, BryceTech
Sandra Connelly, Deputy Associate Administrator, Science Mission Directorate, NASA*
Michael Costas, General Manager, Defense and Space, Bechtel Nuclear, Security & Environmental
Laura Crabtree, Chief Executive Officer, Epsilon3
Kara Cunzeman, Lead Futurist, Strategic Foresight, The Aerospace Corporation
Robert Curbeam, Senior Vice President, Space Capture, Maxar
Dan Dumbacher, Executive Director, AIAA
Ariel Ekblaw, Director, Space Exploration Initiative, MIT Media Lab
Carol Erikson, Vice President, Digital Transformation, Space Systems, Northrop Grumman*
Debra Facktor, Head of U.S. Space Systems, Airbus U.S. Space and Defense, Inc.
James Free, Associate Administrator, Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, NASA
Michael Gazarik, Vice President, Engineering, Ball Aerospace
Bill Gerstenmaier, Vice President, Build and Flight Reliability, SpaceX
Phillip Ingle, Manager Director, Morgan Stanley
Lt. Gen. Larry James, USAF (Ret.), Deputy Director, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory*
Steve Jurczyk, Co-Founder and CEO, Quantum Space*
Janet Kavandi, President, Sierra Space*
Joe Landon, CEO, Crescent Space
Sandra Magnus, Principal, Astroplanetview, LLC
Clare Martin, Executive Vice President, Astroscale U.S.*
Jim Maser, Senior Vice President, Space, Aerojet Rocketdyne
Rob Meyerson, CEO, Delalune Space
Mark Mozena, Vice President, Government Affairs, Planet Federal*
Todd Nygren, Senior Vice President, Engineering and Technology Group, The Aerospace Corporation
Shawna Pandya, Director, Space Medicine Group, International Institute for Astronautical Sciences (IIAS)
Lt. Gen. John Shaw, Deputy Commander, U.S. Space Command*
Wanda Sigur, President, Lambent Engineering LLC
Lauren Smith, Senior Program Manager, Satellite Servicing, Northrop Grumman
Melanie Stricklan, CEO & Co-Founder, Slingshot Aerospace
Russ Teehan, Principal Solutions Architect, Government Satellite Systems, Amazon
Derek Tournear, Director, Space Development Agency
Julie Van Kleeck, ASCEND Executive Producer and AIAA Space Domain Lead
Matthew C. Weinzierl, Senior Associate Dean and Chair, MBA Program; Joseph and Jacqueline Elbling Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School*
Vanessa Wyche, Director, NASA Johnson Space Center

Registration for 2023 ASCEND is open now. Journalists from around the world are invited to cover the event; press passes are available for credentialed media by request.

*New Members in 2023

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

About ASCEND
Powered by AIAA, ASCEND, which stands for Accelerating Space Commerce, Exploration, and New Discovery, is the world’s premier collaborative, outcomes-driven, interdisciplinary community designed to accelerate the building of our off-world future. For more information, visit ascend.events, or follow ASCEND on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.

AIAA Members Named to National Academy of Engineering

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 14, 2022 – Reston, Va. – Eight American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) members are among the 133 newest members of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE). Academy membership honors those who have made outstanding contributions to “engineering research, practice, or education, including, where appropriate, significant contributions to the engineering literature” and to “the pioneering of new and developing fields of technology, making major advancements in traditional fields of engineering, or developing/implementing innovative approaches to engineering education.”

The following AIAA members have been elected to the NAE, one of the highest professional distinctions awarded to an engineer:

Brian M. Argrow, professor and chair, Ann and H.J. Smead Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder. AIAA Fellow, Class of 2016. For contributions to unmanned aerial systems capable of penetrating severe storms and leadership in their application to scientific observation.

Nicholas D. Lappos, senior technical fellow (emeritus), Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Lockheed Martin Corp., Beryl, Utah. AIAA Associate Fellow, Class of 2021. For improving rotary wing flight performance and serving as test pilot, engineer, inventor, technologist, and business leader.

Sandra Magnus, principal, AstroPlanetview LLC, Arlington, Va. AIAA Fellow, Class of 2022. For national accomplishments in the U.S. civil space program and in Department of Defense engineering and technology integration.

Daniel N. Miller, senior fellow, Skunk Works, Lockheed Martin Corp., Bainbridge Island, Wash. AIAA Fellow, Class of 2017. For theoretical contributions and practical innovations in flow control that improve the performance of aircraft propulsion systems.

Elon Musk, founder, chief executive officer, and chief engineer, SpaceX, Hawthorne, Calif. AIAA Associate Fellow, Class of 2012. For breakthroughs in the design, engineering, manufacturing, and operation of reusable launch vehicles and sustainable transportation and energy systems.

Nelson Pedreiro, vice president, Advanced Technology Center, Lockheed Martin Corp., Palo Alto, Calif. AIAA Fellow, Class of 2020. For technical innovation and engineering leadership on programs of national importance in space exploration, strategic systems, and missile defense.

Michael M. Watkins, director and vice president, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and California Institute of Technology, Pasadena. AIAA Fellow, Class of 2020. For leadership in the development of space geodesy and leading robotic missions for exploration of the Earth and planetary bodies.

Karen Willcox, director, Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, University of Texas at Austin. AIAA Fellow, Class of 2019. For contributions to computational engineering methods for the design and optimal control of high-dimensional systems with uncertainties.

“On behalf of the AIAA staff, the Board of Trustees, and the Institute’s nearly 30,000 members, I extend our congratulations to these AIAA members on this well-deserved professional honor,” said AIAA Executive Director Dan Dumbacher. “We also are thrilled to see so many others in the aerospace industry who are friends of the Institute receive this recognition. Each of these individuals have made exemplary contributions to the field of engineering and the aerospace community. We are awed by their accomplishments throughout their careers, as they are shaping the future of aerospace.”

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.

Collaboration, Coordination Key to Successful Supersonic Flight Testing Program

Panelists: Moderator Sandra Magnus, executive director, AIAA; Doug Cooke, principal aerospace consultant, Cooke Concepts and Solutions; retired U.S. Air Force Col. Lee Archambault, chief systems engineer and test pilot, Sierra Nevada Corp., and former astronaut, NASA; retired U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Joe H. Engle, former astronaut, NASA; John Olson, vice president, Space Exploration Systems, Sierra Nevada Corp.

by Lawrence Garrett, AIAA web editor

Communication and collaboration between flight test engineers and test pilots were significant in developing hypersonic flight — from the early X-1 and X-15 rocket planes to the progression of the now retired shuttle program — and will remain so into the future, aerospace industry experts agreed June 17 at the final session of AIAA AVIATION 2016 in Washington, D.C.

Just as important is the collaboration between overlapping generations panelists in “Hypersonic Flight Testing: X-15 to Space Shuttle and Beyond” said, citing how the X-15 program helped with the development of the shuttle program and how the shuttle program is now helping in the development of Sierra Nevada’s Dream Chaser spacecraft.

Retired U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Joe H. Engle, test pilot for the X-15 in the 1960s and early space shuttle missions in the 1970s, touched upon a number of challenges in the X-15 program, including the difficulty of landing a hypersonic aircraft that touched down at over 200 mph.

Because the drag was at the back of the X-15 and onboard experiments often increased the aircraft’s touchdown weight, Engle explained, pilots found it challenging to touch the nose down gently, the signature of a good landing.

With most aircraft, pilots pull back on the stick to lift the nose, but this did not work on the X-15, Engle noted, adding that the first several landings of the X-15 were a little rough as the nose would drop hard following touchdown of the main landing gear — like someone had “cut the rope.” But, he said, through frequent collaboration with flight test engineers, pilots discovered they had to push forward on the stick while landing the X-15.

“Pilots are trainable,” Engle joked.

Doug Cooke, principal of Cooke Concepts and Solutions and a former NASA associate administrator, called the X-1 and X-15 aircraft the prime predecessors to the space shuttle program. In 1975, Cooke was tasked with defining and implementing an entry aerodynamic flight test program for the space shuttle.

The “shuttle’s terminal part of its flight was based on basically the flight profiles from these programs,” he said.

The shuttle program was significant in human spaceflight and aviation history and offered many technological advances, Cooke said, highlighting the shuttle’s main engines which are “still to this day on the edge of theoretical efficiency for a hydrogen-oxygen engine.”

Cooke also pointed out that collaboration and coordination were essential, noting that the success of the shuttle flight test program “took a lot of coordination” between a team of engineers from Dryden Flight Research Center, the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards, McDonnell Douglas, and Rockwell International, who built the orbiter. Cooke said members of the team possessed “knowledge on past programs.”

Cooke also said the main challenges with the program were the shuttle’s stability and control, due to early testing of a scaled-down model in a wind-tunnel at speeds of about Mach 20. He recalled that the first shuttle orbital flight flew from Mach 25 to touchdown, and that the X-15 held the previous winged-vehicle flight testing record at Mach 6.7.

Cooke said they were able to overcome the concerns through calculations and testing via motion-based simulators, noting that what they accomplished was state-of-the-art at the time but is probably “old school” today.

Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Lee Archambault, chief systems engineer and test pilot for Sierra Nevada Corp., called both Engle and Cooke “legendary” in the aerospace industry. Archambault, moderator of this panel, who served as a shuttle crew member on STS-117 and STS-119 with AIAA Executive Director Sandy Magnus, credited the work from 1963-1975 as being beneficial to current-day aerospace engineers.

“We’re the new kids on the block with the next lifting body,” Archambault said of the Sierra Nevada team working on the Dream Chaser spacecraft. “Hopefully we’ll be there in about four years.”

Sierra Nevada was selected to participate in NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services 2 program. The Dream Chaser, which at 30 feet nose to tail, is only a quarter the size of the space shuttle. Despite the size difference, Archambault noted, their designs are similar, and the Dream Chaser flies with a similar approach angle as the space shuttle and has similar lift to drag, profile, and airspeeds.

The Dream Chaser’s next scheduled test flight is in December, and Sierra Nevada will continue its work on future plans for manned vehicles, he said.

John Olsen, Sierra Nevada’s vice president of Space Exploration Systems, echoed the sentiments expressed by his colleagues on the panel.

“I think this is still very much a growth industry in flight test,” he said. “I think it’s an extraordinarily fun and challenging domain that’s never really done.”

Video

All 2016 AIAA AVIATION Forum Videos