Tag: Science and Technology

AIAA Statement on the IM-1 Mission

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 22, 2024 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) CEO Dan Dumbacher made the following statement:

“Congratulations to the IM-1 mission team on the successful soft landing at the south pole of the moon! We were thrilled watching the Odysseus lander’s journey to the lunar surface unfold in real time. Today marks a truly historic space exploration milestone due to the unique government-industry collaboration between NASA and Intuitive Machines. We are eagerly following the mission’s progress in the coming days.

As the world’s largest technical society for aerospace professionals, our members appreciate and understand the difficulty of this mission’s engineering challenges targeting a landing in the moon’s south pole region. It’s vital to gain engineering and science data from this uncrewed mission as a precursor to Artemis returning Americans to the lunar surface in the coming years.

We were honored to hear from the Intuitive Machines team just last week at our ASCENDxTexas event in Houston, 14–15 February. The innovators at Intuitive Machines and their partners have chronicled the development of their mission, including the spacecraft, flight software, and camera, by authoring articles for AIAA peer-reviewed journals, as well as presenting meeting papers at AIAA forums and ASCEND events. Their technological progress has been published in AIAA’s Aerospace Research Central (ARC) at arc.aiaa.org, the leading source of aerospace industry archives. These noteworthy publications provide valuable insight into their preparation for this day:

We’re witnessing somewhat of a lunar renaissance. Multiple missions from companies and governments are advancing the development of a sustainable cislunar ecosystem and economy. We appreciate the transparency and ongoing public communication throughout the missions. It is heartening that these missions are also capturing the imagination of the general public around the world, as everyone on Earth benefits from exploring our moon.

On behalf of the 30,000 professional and student members of AIAA, we recognize the numerous aerospace industry professionals involved in making this mission a success. We salute and applaud the entire IM-1 team 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.

Video

Intuitive Machines Lunar Landing on NASATV 22 Feb. 2024
(NASA TV; YouTube)

AIAA Announces Class of 2024 Honorary Fellows and Fellows

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 8, 2024 – Reston, Va. –The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) proudly congratulates its newly elected Class of 2024 Honorary Fellows and Fellows. The class will be inducted during a ceremony on Tuesday, 14 May, in Washington, DC, and celebrated during the AIAA Awards Gala on Wednesday, 15 May, at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts*, Washington, DC. AIAA Awards Gala tickets are available now.

“The Class of 2024 AIAA Honorary Fellows and Fellows are among the most respected names in the aerospace profession. Congratulations to each member of this year’s class for their many accomplishments,” said Laura McGill, AIAA President. “These distinguished individuals have earned the respect and admiration of our broad science and engineering community. We are in awe of their creativity and exceptional contributions to advance the performance and capability of aerospace systems.”

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, 242 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 2,064 persons have been elected as an AIAA Fellow.

“AIAA takes great pride in honoring the Class of 2024 Honorary Fellows and Fellows. These professionals have made significant and lasting contributions to the aerospace community. Their passion and dedication are inspiring the generations that follow to reach even greater heights,” added Dan Dumbacher, AIAA CEO.

2024 AIAA Honorary Fellows
Hitoshi Kuninaka, Institute of Space and Astronautical Science / Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
John S. Langford III, Electra.aero
Azad M. Madni, University of Southern California
Christopher Scolese, National Reconnaissance Office

2024 AIAA Fellows
Igor Adamovich, Ohio State University
Stephen Blanchette Jr., The Aerospace Corporation
Ruxandra M. Botez, École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS)
Robert D. Cabana, NASA Headquarters (retired)
John R. Chawner, Pointwise (retired)
Charles J. Cross, U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory
Misty Davies, NASA Ames Research Center
Srinath Ekkad, North Carolina State University
Edward H. Gerding, The Boeing Company
John Mace Grunsfeld, Endless Frontier Associates LLC
Richard Hofer, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology
Yiguang Ju, Princeton University
Joseph Majdalani, Auburn University
Richard Mange, Lockheed Martin Corporation
J.D. McFarlan III, Lockheed Martin Corporation
Mehran Mesbahi, University of Washington
Clayton Mowry, Voyager Space / International Astronautical Federation
Alison Nordt, Lockheed Martin Space
Daniella Raveh, Technion – IIT
Gregory W. Reich, U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory
Katherine Rink, MIT Lincoln Laboratory
Donna Cowell Senft, Air Force Global Strike Command
Jeffrey P. Slotnick, The Boeing Company
S. Alan Stern, Southwest Research Institute
John Tylko, Aurora Flight Sciences, A Boeing Company
Craig Wanke, The MITRE Corporation
Annalisa Weigel, Fairmont Consulting Group
Lesley A. Weitz, The MITRE Corporation

* Note: This event is an external rental presented in coordination with the Kennedy Center Campus Rentals Office and is not produced by the Kennedy Center.

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, and follow AIAA on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

AIAA Statement on the Axiom Space AX-3 Launch

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 18, 2024 – Reston, Va. –  The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) CEO Dan Dumbacher made the following statement:

“On behalf of the 30,000 professional and student members of AIAA, we congratulate the entire Axiom Space team on its successful AX-3 launch onboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. We applaud this private mission to the International Space Station (ISS), showing how NASA and private industry are working together to extend the human neighborhood into low Earth orbit.

It is exciting to anticipate the AX-3 crew’s busy schedule onboard the ISS orbiting laboratory, conducting more than 30 scientific investigations into human health and well-being, radiation exposure, genetic expression, and Earth observations. This meaningful research in space is expanding our scientific knowledge as we witness the space economy growing. These explorers and innovators are working to improve life on Earth and accelerate our off-world future. We look forward to following their progress.

We recognize the countless aerospace industry professionals involved in making this mission a success. We salute AIAA Corporate Member Axiom Space, as they collaborate with NASA and SpaceX. They are 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.

Video

AX-3 launch onboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Center at 4:49 p.m. EST on Thursday, January 18.
(Spaceflight Now; YouTube)

University of New South Wales Canberra Hosts 2023 AIAA Region VII Student Conference

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 7, 2023 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2023 Region VII Student Conference, held 27–28 November at the University of New South Wales Canberra and online.

Attendees presented 39 papers and represented 19 universities from 11 countries, including Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Students presented papers in three categories: undergraduate, masters, and high school. Their presentations were evaluated by expe­rienced aerospace professionals. Additionally, the papers will be published by AIAA and available on Aerospace Research Center (ARC) in January 2024.

For the undergraduate and masters categories, first-place winners received a cash prize of $500 and an invitation to participate in the International Student Conference held during the 2024 AIAA SciTech Forum, 8–12 January 2024. Second-place winners received a cash prize of $300 and third-place winners received $250. The high school student winners received $100 for first place, $75 for second place, and $50 for third place.

AIAA student conferences are an opportunity for students to present and publish their work in front or their peers and members of the industry. Each of the AIAA seven regions host one conference each year. The Regional Student Conferences for Regions I-VI will take place in Spring 2024.

Lockheed Martin is the generous sponsor of all seven of the AIAA Student Conferences. Additionally, special thanks to the University of New South Wales Canberra, the Sydney Section, the judges, Professor Graham Wild, Professor Charlie Hoke, Tjasa Boh Whiteman, and Region VII Director Cees Bil for coordinat­ing the conference.

2023 AIAA Region VII Student Conference Paper Winners

High School Category

  • 1st Place: Cheney Wu and Nate Osikowicz, Cranbrook Schools, Bloomfield Hills, MI, “Exploration of Tensegrity Applications in Airfoil Designs”
  • 2nd Place: Baldwin Chen, American International School of Dhaka, Bangladesh, “Regression Rates of Non-liquefying Fuels in a Hybrid Rocket Engine at Atmospheric Pressure”
  • 3rd Place: Zhishan Lu, Bard College at Simon’s Rock, Great Barrington, MA, “The Development and Application of Air-launch Technology”

Undergraduate Category

  • 1st Place: Georgia Warren, University of New South Wales Canberra, Australia, “Development and Testing of a Stereo Photogrammetry System for Multi-Axis Optical Tracking of Free-Flight Models”
  • 2nd Place: Alexandra Stewart and Graham Wild, University of New South Wales Canberra, Australia, “A Historical Analysis of Military Action against Civilian Aircraft”
  • 3rd Place: Johnny Chen and KC Wong, University of Sydney, Australia, “Design of a Span Morphing Wing for a Blended Wing Body UAV”

Masters Category

  • 1st Place: Jiwon Lee and Youdan Kim, Seoul National University, South Korea, “NMPC-based Control Deign for Transition Flight of Fixed-Wing VTOL UAV”
  • 2nd Place: Lok Yan Poon, University of New South Wales Sydney, Australia, “Renewable Natural Fibre Reinforcement Development”
  • 3rd Place: Bader Ayran and Abdullah Barakat, Istanbul Technical University, Turkey, “Propulsive Landing of a 6DoF Variable Mass Rocket System using Real-Time Nonlinear Model Predictive Control”

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 to Recognize Excellence in Aerospace Award Winners at the 2024 AIAA SciTech Forum

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 5, 2023 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is pleased to announce the winners of awards to be presented during the 2024 AIAA SciTech Forum, to be held 8–12 January 2024, Orlando, Florida. Registration is open to attend in person. Journalists can request a Press Pass here.

“We are proud to recognize these accomplished individuals for their influence on the aerospace profession, their outstanding merit, and their unique contributions to the art, science, or technology of aeronautics or astronautics,” said AIAA Executive Director Dan Dumbacher. “Chosen by their peers, these exemplary professionals are truly inspirational. We are grateful for their efforts shaping the future of aerospace.”

For more information about the AIAA Honors and Awards program, contact Patricia A. Carr at [email protected].

LITERARY AWARDS

 

2024 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.

Margaret A. Weitekamp
Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum
Space Craze: America’s Enduring Fascination with Real and Imagined Space Flight

2024 AIAA History Manuscript Award
This award is presented for the best historical manuscript dealing with the science, technology, and/or impact of aeronautics and astronautics on society.

Aaron M. Bateman
George Washington University
A Space Renaissance: The Strategic Defense Initiative and the Arms Race

2024 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.

Ann P. Dowling
University of Cambridge
Combustion Noise

2024 AIAA Summerfield Book Award
This award is presented to the author of the best book recently published (within the last five years) by AIAA.

Jeffrey W. Hamstra
Lockheed Martin Corporation
The F-35 Lightning II: From Concept to Cockpit

SERVICE AWARD

2024 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.

Amanda Simpson
Airbus Americas (retired)
U.S. Department of Defense (retired)
For being a trailblazer in the aerospace community, a champion of diversity and inclusion in industry and government, and an inspiration to future generations.

TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS


2024 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.

Aspi R. Wadia
GE Aviation (retired)
For sustained excellence, global impact, and revolutionary research and development in gas turbine aerodynamics.

2024 AIAA Aerodynamic Measurement Technology Award
This award is presented for continued contributions and achievements toward the advancement of advanced aerodynamics flowfield and surface measurement techniques for research in flight and ground test applications.

Paul M. Danehy
NASA Langley Research Center
For the development and application of optical and laser-based measurement techniques supporting NASA’s aeronautics and space exploration missions.

2024 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.

Marinus Maria van Paassen
Delft University
For key contributions to the fields of human-in-the-loop vehicle simulation, real-time and distributed simulation software, and aerospace human factors.

2024 AIAA Energy Systems Award
This award is presented for 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.

Chih-Jen Sung
University of Connecticut
For outstanding contributions to flame dynamics and low-temperature chemistry for developing fuel-flexible, ultra-low emission, efficient combustion energy systems using conventional and alternative fuels.

2024 AIAA Intelligent Systems Award
This award is presented to recognize important fundamental contributions to intelligent systems technologies and applications that advance the capabilities of aerospace systems.

Randal W. Beard
Brigham Young University
For his innovative contributions to the guidance and control of autonomous aircraft and to the mentoring and training of the next generation of aerospace leaders.

2024 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.

David Mitchell
Mitchell Aerospace Research
For industry-defining research and globally recognized leadership in flying qualities, handling qualities, and PIO evaluation in both fixed wing and rotary wing vehicles.

2024 AIAA Propellants and Combustion Award
This award is presented for outstanding technical contributions to aeronautical or astronautical combustion engineering.

Jeffrey Cohen
RTX Corporation
For outstanding contributions to sprays, combustion control, and gas turbine combustion.

2024 AIAA Structures, Structural Dynamics, & Materials Award
This award is presented to an individual who has been responsible for an outstanding sustained technical or scientific contribution in aerospace structures, structural dynamics, or materials.

Carlos E. S. Cesnik
University of Michigan
For seminal contributions to research and education in structural modeling, dynamics, and health monitoring emphasizing multiphysics effects in very flexible aircraft, rotorcraft, and hypersonic vehicles.

2024 AIAA Survivability Award
This award is presented to an individual or a team to recognize outstanding achievement or contribution in design, analysis, implementation and/or education of survivability in an aerospace system.

Gary C. Wollenweber
GE Aerospace
For exceptional contributions during a longstanding career in aircraft engine thermal design that has led to improved aircraft survivability through IR signature reduction.

2024 AIAA Wyld Propulsion Award
This award is presented for outstanding achievement in the development or application of rocket propulsion systems.

Joseph Majdalani
Auburn University
For groundbreaking theoretical modeling and research on cyclonic rocket engines, revolutionizing the understanding of these and many other liquid, solid, and hybrid rocket engines.

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.

2024 AIAA Dryden Lectureship in Research Awarded to Peyman Givi, University of Pittsburgh

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Lecture will be Delivered on 8 January During 2024 AIAA SciTech Forum

December 5, 2023 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is pleased to announce the 2024 AIAA Dryden Lectureship in Research is awarded to Peyman Givi, Distinguished Professor and James T. Macleod Chair of Engineering, and Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Petroleum Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Givi will deliver his lecture, “The Promise of Quantum Computing for Aerospace Science and Engineering,” Monday, 8 January, 1730 hrs ET, during the 2024 AIAA SciTech Forum, Orlando, Florida.

Forum registration is available now. Journalists can request a Press Pass here. In addition, the lecture will be available to view by livestream at aiaa.org/scitech.

The Dryden Lectureship in Research is one of the most prestigious lectureships bestowed by the Institute. Since the inaugural lecture in 1961, it has been a catalyst for sharing research advancements and knowledge. This premier lecture is named in honor of Dr. Hugh L. Dryden, a renowned aerospace leader and a director of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, or NACA, as well as the first deputy administrator of NASA when the agency was created in 1958. The award emphasizes the importance of basic research in advancing aeronautics and astronautics.

Peyman Givi is the Distinguished Professor and James T. Macleod Chair of Engineering, and Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Petroleum Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh. He received his Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon University in 1984, and B.E. from Youngstown State University in Ohio in 1980. Previously, he was the University at Buffalo Distinguished Professor of Aerospace Engineering from 1988 to 2002. Givi also has worked as a Research Scientist at Flow Industries, Inc., in Seattle, Washington. He has had frequent visiting appointments at the NASA Langley and Glenn Research Centers.

Givi is among the first 15 engineering faculty nationwide who received the White House Faculty Fellowship from President George H.W. Bush. He also received NASA Public Service Medal, the Office of Naval Research Young Investigator Award, and the National Science Foundation Presidential Young Investigator Award. In addition to being an AIAA Fellow, Givi is Fellow of AAAS, AAM, APS, ASME, the Combustion Institute, and was named ASME Engineer of the Year in Pittsburgh in 2007. He is currently on the Editorial Boards of the AIAA Journal, Combustion Theory and Modelling, Computers & Fluids, and Journal of Applied Fluid Mechanics.

Givi’s lecture will address the “second quantum revolution” — we are now at a stage that we can use “quantum science” to invent “quantum technologies.” An example of this technology is Quantum Computing (QC), which has been experiencing significant growth over the last decade, both in hardware and software. Used in appropriate ways, quantum mechanics can provide powerful resources for solving certain classes of problems, achieving cost scalings with the size of the problem that are not available to existing “classical” computers — this is known as the “quantum advantage.”

QC is starting to make an impact in practical aerospace engineering and science applications. The major contributions have been based on “quantum-ready” and “quantum inspired” algorithms. The former deals with algorithms that are shown to provide quantum advantage, and can be used when error-corrected digital, (unitary) gate, universal quantum computers are routinely available and utilized. The latter refers to computational methodologies that are classical but are inspired by quantum physics. Both methodologies are shown to capture some of the intricate structures of classical problems of interest to the aerospace community. This demonstration of quantum advantage will certainly play a significant role in enhancing the ecosystem of QC similar to that currently established in the silicon-based classical computer technology.

For more information about the AIAA Honors and Awards program, contact Patricia A. Carr at [email protected].

Media Contact: Rebecca B. 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.

NASA’s Parker Solar Probe Flies Through Coronal Mass Ejection

Forbes reports that NASA’s Parker Solar Probe “has become the first spacecraft ever to fly through a coronal mass ejection from the sun—a powerful eruption of billions of tons of plasma.” The closest spacecraft to the sun, “launched in Aug. 2018, spent two days within a CME while just 5.7 million miles (9.2 million kilometers) from the solar surface.” For context, Mercury “is 23 million miles (37 million kilometers) from the sun and Earth is a whopping 93 million miles (150 million kilometers) distant.” As revealed in a paper published in The Astrophysical Journal, Parker “passed right through the CME on Sept. 22, 2022, crossing the wake of its leading edge—its shock wave.” The moments were “captured by the probe’s Wide-field Imager for Solar Probe (WISPR) instrument and are published on YouTube.” Parker Solar Probe Project Scientist at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory Nour Raouafu said, “This is the closest to the sun we’ve ever observed a CME. We’ve never seen an event of this magnitude at this distance.”
Full Story (Forbes)

EASA Submits EVTOL Operating Regulations

Aviation Week reports that the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) “proposed rules for the operation of vertical-takeoff-and-landing (VTOL) aircraft, including air taxis, emphasize the continuing differences in approach by Europe and the U.S. to regulating the emerging industry.”
Full Story (Aviation Week)