Tag: Technology

GE Aerospace Expands Use of its AI-Powered Blade Inspection Technology

Aviation Week reports, “GE Aerospace is expanding the use of its artificial intelligence-enabled blade inspection tool to its two most advanced commercial engine platforms. GE, which first debuted the AI-enabled blade inspection tool (BIT) at MRO Americas last year, has been using the technology to improve speed, accuracy and consistency of GEnx engine inspections. The company is now releasing similar AI-enabled BITs for GE9X and CFM International Leap engine platforms.”
Full Story (Aviation Week)

Reliable Robotics Flight Tests Cessna Caravan to Demonstrate Technology

FlightGlobal reports that Reliable Robotics has “completed flight tests intended to demonstrate that its autonomous systems can allow pilotless aircraft to operate safely in air-traffic-control-managed airspace.” On Monday, the company “said it performed the tests, which included three flights of its Cessna 208 Caravan, in Northern California in recent weeks.” The work “demonstrated that aircraft equipped with Reliable’s
Full Story (FlightGlobal)

Lunar Gateway to Serve as Model for Future Mars Missions

CNET News reports on the successful Artemis 1 mission and adds that, “assuming everything goes to plan with all stages of Artemis, here are some things to look forward to in the coming decade or so,” including the lunar gateway, “a planned small space station that’ll sit in lunar orbit and serve as a solar-powered communication hub, science laboratory, habitation module for astronauts, holding center for rovers or robots and other such things.” The lunar gateway also “will serve as a model for future missions to Mars,” according to NASA.
Full Story (CNET News)

AIAA Hosting NASA’s Bhavya Lal for Policy Webinar

MEDIA ALERT

February 8, 2022 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) will host Bhavya Lal, NASA Associate Administrator, Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy, for an ASCENDxWebinar, 12 p.m. EST, Tuesday, Feb. 15. The webinar is sponsored by Jacobs. Registration for the free Zoom event is open now, however participation is limited:

ASCENDxWebinar: Policy Discussion with NASA’s Bhavya Lal

During the webinar, Dr. Lal will speak about NASA’s newly established Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy, its responsibilities, how it will support the Biden Administration’s priorities, and review other agency activities. The session will include questions from the webinar moderator, as well as those attending the Zoom event, using the chat function.

Powered by AIAA, ASCEND stands for Accelerating Space Commerce, Exploration and New Discovery. ASCENDx events accelerate momentum toward the October ASCEND apex event.

AIAA Media Contact: Rebecca Gray, [email protected], 804-397-5270
NASA Headquarters Media Contact: Robert Margetta, [email protected], 202-358-0918

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.

About ASCEND
Powered by AIAA, ASCEND promotes the collaborative, interdisciplinary, outcomes-driven community of professionals, students, and enthusiasts who are accelerating humanity’s progress toward our off-world future! For more information on ASCEND, visit ascend.events, or follow ASCEND on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

AIAA Says the Aerospace Industry Outlook Is Cautiously Optimistic

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Survey of Industry Professionals Reveals Need for Continued Innovation and Success

September 14, 2021 – Reston, Va. – To move forward after a turbulent year, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is assessing the path ahead. In a recent survey, AIAA asked its members and the aerospace community at large—including leaders, professionals, academics, and students—to gauge overall sentiment and industry outlook, as well as challenges and opportunities. The initial findings were released today in the Executive Summary, available for download immediately. The full report, “2021 AIAA State of the Industry Report: The Health and Future Outlook of the Aerospace Industry,” will be released the week of September 27.

The report reveals perspectives of those who are driving the profession forward. The data spans the three AIAA domains—Aeronautics, Aerospace Research and Development (R&D), and Space. Top-line findings include:

  • The aerospace industry outlook is cautiously optimistic. More than 80% of respondents are somewhat and very positive about the future of the aerospace industry. Not surprisingly, the mood is more subdued in the aviation sector, with only 75% reporting a positive outlook.
  • Careers in aerospace are promising. Current professionals in the industry would recommend a career in aerospace to a young person right now—with a net promoter score (NPS) of 29.
  • Cybersecurity tops the list of challenges facing aerospace and defense. Cybersecurity stands out among the most significant challenges—those in the United States place it as one of the top two priorities for their organizations.
  • Professionals rank technologies based on where they see opportunity. The most opportunities are seen in advanced manufacturing and artificial intelligence/machine learning—but space has the momentum at this time.
  • Public policy priorities for aerospace are clear. Stable funding, research investments, technology infrastructure, and an educated workforce pipeline are seen as priorities for congressional and executive branch action, cutting across industry sectors.
  • Demonstrating commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is a focus. DEI is viewed as a priority for employees, especially tied to workforce development. Despite the focus, workers are not sure employers are making the most meaningful changes.
  • COVID-19 impacts will continue as the aviation sector recovers. Pandemic-related challenges impacted business operations across sectors. Nearly 30% of aerospace professionals reported seeing changes in travel due to COVID-19 as transformational to their business operations. New levels of interdisciplinary collaboration will be required for long-term success in the aviation industry recovery.

“AIAA is committed to solving the problems, developing new ideas, and applying technology in creative ways to build a better future for everyone. The findings in the ‘2021 AIAA State of the Industry Report’ affirm our key issues and provide new insights that will help us address our community’s immediate needs and priorities as we shape the future of aerospace. We will use this data to help make progress at the pace required to accelerate innovation in our three domains—Aeronautics, Aerospace R&D, and Space,” said Dan Dumbacher, AIAA Executive Director.

The “2021 AIAA State of the Industry Report: The Health and Future Outlook of the Aerospace Industry” summarizes the findings from a survey of approximately 1,000 people conducted by Edge Research on behalf of AIAA in April 2021. Respondents were from across the United States and 37 other countries. Respondents included AIAA members—current aerospace professionals, academics, students (master’s and Ph.D.)—and nonmembers.

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, or follow AIAA on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn.

2021 AIAA SciTech Forum Moves to Fully Virtual Event Held 11–15 January

Accelerating Innovation Through Diversity

August 26, 2020 – Reston, Va. – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) announced that AIAA SciTech Forum, held 11–15 January 2021, will be fully online.

The world’s largest event for aerospace research, development, and technology, AIAA SciTech Forum brings together more than 5,000 participants from around the world, representing hundreds of government, academic, and private institutions.

In 2021 the forum will explore the role and importance of diversity in advancing the aerospace industry. The diversification of teams, industry sectors, technologies, design cycles, and perspectives can all be leveraged toward innovation.

AIAA SciTech Forum is a hub of aerospace innovation, offering more than 2,500 technical presentations on over 50 research topics that represent the vanguard of advancement in the industry, such as:

  • Fluid Dynamics
  • Applied Aerodynamics
  • Guidance, Navigation, and Control
  • Structures
  • and much more.

Planning remains underway for an exciting program of speakers, including business leaders and innovators. Students and professionals at all levels will appreciate the robust opportunities for networking and career growth offered at AIAA SciTech Forum; this preeminent gathering of aerospace industry leaders celebrates the resiliency and creativity that defines the aerospace community. For 2021, AIAA SciTech will move online with not only its extensive, high-quality programming but also with new opportunities for technical networking, engagement, and learning as well as the ability to later revisit and expand upon the content of the event.

AIAA looks forward to future in-person events and remains committed to the health and safety of all attendees at its forums and programs. The Institute continues to transform its events into rewarding virtual experiences, taking advantage of continually evolving platforms to welcome a broad representation from the global aerospace community.

The online AIAA SciTech Forum takes place 11–15 January 2021. For the most up-to-date information, please sign up for AIAA SciTech Forum emails.

Media contact: Brian Talbot, [email protected], 703.980.4132

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, or  LinkedIn.

AIAA Announces 2022 Premier Award Winners

Aerospace’s Best and Brightest to be Honored at AIAA Awards Gala

February 1, 2022 – Reston, Va. –The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is pleased to announce the 2022 recipients of its most prestigious awards, the AIAA Premier Awards, recognizing the most influential and inspiring individuals in aerospace, whose outstanding contributions merit the highest accolades.

Presentation of the 2022 AIAA Premier Awards and recognition of the Institute’s Class of 2022 Honorary Fellows and Fellows will take place at the AIAA Awards Gala, Wednesday, 27 April, Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, Washington, DC. Tickets are available now.

“Congratulations to our premier award winners,” said AIAA President Basil Hassan. “We are inspired by their hard work, skill, and achievements, and we thank them for their dedication to the aerospace industry. AIAA is committed to ensuring that aerospace professionals are recognized and celebrated for their achievements, innovations, and discoveries that make the world safer, more connected, more accessible, and more prosperous.”

The winners are:

AIAA Public Service Award – Lori B. Garver, Earthrise Alliance

AIAA Reed Aeronautics Award – Peretz P. Friedmann, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

AIAA Distinguished Service Award – David A. Throckmorton, National Institute of Aerospace

AIAA International Cooperation Award – Dominique Collin, Safran Group (retired)

AIAA Engineer of the Year Award – Paul R. Gradl, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center

AIAA Goddard Astronautics Award – Kyle T. Alfriend, Texas A&M University

AIAA Lawrence Sperry Award – Michael P. Snyder, Redwire Space

Award Citations

AIAA Public Service Award
The award honors a person who has demonstrated sustained and visible support for aviation and space goals.

  • Lori B. Garver, Earthrise Alliance, honored “For sustained leadership in the arenas of public, private, and commercial aviation and aerospace research, development, technology transition, and mentorship.”

AIAA Reed Aeronautics Award
The highest honor AIAA bestows for notable achievements in the field of aeronautics. The award is named after Dr. Sylvanus A. Reed, aeronautical engineer, designer, and founding member of the Institute of Aeronautical Sciences in 1932.

  • Peretz P. Friedmann, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, honored “For inventing on-blade control for vibration reduction in rotorcraft and developing aerothermoelastic scaling laws facilitating hypersonic vehicle wind tunnel testing and design.”

AIAA Distinguished Service Award
AIAA recognizes an individual member who has provided distinguished service to the Institute over a period of years.

  • David A. Throckmorton, National Institute of Aerospace, honored “For over three decades of leadership and exemplary service to AIAA at the section and national level.”

AIAA International Cooperation Award
The award is presented to a member who has made a recent individual contribution in the application of scientific and mathematical principles leading to a significant accomplishment or event worthy of AIAA’s national or international recognition.

  • Dominique Collin, Safran Group (retired), honored “For sustained leadership in building international collaborations on noise and emissions reduction strategies for subsonic transport aircraft.”

AIAA Engineer of the Year Award
The award is presented to a member of the Institute who has made a recent individual, technical contribution in the application of scientific and mathematical principles leading to a significant technical accomplishment.

  • Paul R. Gradl, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, recognized “For exceptional engineering and technical innovation developing metal additive manufacturing techniques, advanced materials, and large-scale techniques for rocket components while proactively promoting technology transfer.”

AIAA Goddard Astronautics Award
The highest honor AIAA bestows for notable achievement in the field of astronautics. It was endowed by Mrs. Goddard in the 1940s as the ARS Goddard Memorial Award to commemorate her husband, Robert H. Goddard—rocket visionary, pioneer, bold experimentalist, and superb engineer whose early liquid rocket engine launches set the stage for the development of astronautics.

  • Kyle T. Alfriend, Texas A&M University, honored “For extraordinary contributions and advancements in the fields of orbital mechanics and space situational awareness.”

AIAA Lawrence Sperry Award
The award is presented for a notable contribution made by a young person, age 35 or under, to the advancement of aeronautics or astronautics. This award honors Lawrence B. Sperry, pioneer aviator and inventor, who died in 1923 in a forced landing while attempting a flight across the English Channel.

  • Michael P. Snyder, Redwire Space, honored “For outstanding and notable contributions to advance in-space additive manufacturing to ensure safer, sustainable spaceflight missions and manufacturing industrial products to benefit Earth.”

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.

Starship, SLS Could Supercharge Space Science

Scientific American reports that NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS)’s massive size “could ultimately be a boon for scientists seeking to send larger, more ambitious spacecraft and telescopes throughout the solar system – and even beyond.” The article also reports that SpaceX’s Starship is even more promising. Southwest Research Institute’s Alan Stern said, “Starship holds the promise of transforming the solar system in a way we can’t really appreciate. It completely changes the game.” Stern noted about the SLS and Starship, “These rockets can enable whole new classes of missions – to all the giant planets and the Kuiper belt objects, to the ocean world satellites and the dwarf planets of the solar system.”
Full Story (Scientific American)

Soviet Venus Lander Kosmos 482 Crashes Into Sea After 53 Years in Orbit

SPACE reports, “A failed Soviet Venus lander’s long space odyssey has come to an end. The Kosmos 482 probe crashed to Earth today (May 10) after circling our planet for more than five decades. Reentry occurred at 2:24 a.m. ET (0624 GMT or 9:24 a.m. Moscow time) over the Indian Ocean west of Jakarta, Indonesia, according to Russia’s space agency Roscosmos. Kosmos 482 appears to have fallen harmlessly into the sea.”
Full Story (SPACE)

SpaceX Tests Raptor Engines That Will Power Next Starship Rocket

Ars Technica reports, “SpaceX fired six Raptor engines on the company’s next Starship rocket Monday, clearing a major hurdle on the path to launch later this month on a high-stakes test flight to get the private rocket program back on track. Starship ignited its Raptor engines Monday morning on a test stand near SpaceX’s Starbase launch facility in South Texas.”
Full Story (Ars Technica)

AIAA, CSF, SFA, and SGAC Collaborate to Expand ASCEND 2026 in Washington, D.C.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Integrated Event Scheduled for 19–21 May 2026

May 29, 2025 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), the Commercial Space Federation (CSF), the Space Force Association (SFA), and the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC)announced today they are joining forces on an integrated space event, ASCEND 2026, spanning the week of 19–21 May 2026 in Washington, D.C.

“The vision of ASCEND has always been as a platform for accelerating the use of space for exploration, R&D, national security, and commercial innovation,” said Clay Mowry, chief executive officer, AIAA. “We are thrilled to bring ASCEND to the nation’s capital with these new event partners. Our new collaboration isn’t just exciting, it’s transformative – creating enormous synergies for the space community for learning, technical exchange, and in-depth dialogue. This new ‘Space Week’ will showcase the full spectrum of space policy, commerce, security, and innovation to build our off-world future.”

Space Policy and Leadership – Commercial Space Federation (CSF)

CSF is joining ASCEND as the premier event partner to design and deliver programming during ASCEND 2026 on the most pressing commercial space issues facing the industry. This move will continue CSF’s leadership on space policy discussions that were historically held during its flagship Washington, D.C., event, the Commercial Space Policy Conference.

Dave Cavossa, president, CSF, added, “CSF is excited to join forces with AIAA and other partners to reimagine a modern space event that is aligned to the policy challenges of today and tomorrow for the commercial space ecosystem. We want those vital discussions to happen in Washington, D.C., bringing all the critical voices together in the town where so much of our global space policy is shaped.”

National Security Space – Space Force Association (SFA)

Through an enhanced focus on national security space, ASCEND 2026 will feature expanded content highlighting its criticality to this community. SFA will provide sessions and speakers in the expanded event, designed to enable U.S. Space Force Guardians to collaborate with the commercial and civil space communities to enhance strategic partnerships and counter growing threats. In addition, ASCEND 2026 will feature a classified event that will provide attendees with mission critical insights.

Next Generation of Aerospace Professionals – Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC)

As the largest network of university students and young professionals working in the global aerospace industry, SGAC will deliver its signature fast-paced, content-rich programming to ASCEND 2026. Modeled on the TEDx “lightning talk” format used at its previous SGx event, SGAC will create an environment where young professionals, industry experts, and government executives can network, share insights, and inspire each other.

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. Lockheed Martin is the founding sponsor of ASCEND.

The ASCEND 2026 Call for Content will open in early July 2025, inviting the global space community to submit technical abstracts and propose collaborative session topics across a broad range of disciplines.

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

CSF Contact: Kenya McEachern, [email protected]

SFA Contact: Karen Lawrie, [email protected]

SGAC Contact: Tatiana Komorna, [email protected]

About AIAA

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. Visit www.aiaa.org or follow us: X/Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

About Commercial Space Federation

CSF is the leading U.S.-based trade association representing the commercial space industry. Our members represent multiple sectors of the space economy including launch and reentry, remote sensing, spaceports, satellite-based internet, in-space research and manufacturing, commercial space stations, space situational awareness, and more. CSF and its members are focused on expanding America’s leadership in space by offering innovative – and often less expensive – solutions to U.S. government customers including NASA, the U.S. Space Force, and the intelligence community. CSF advocates for policies that will grow a sustainable space economy, the global value of which is already estimated at $570 billion and projected to grow to $1.8 trillion by 2035.

About Space Force Association

The Space Force Association (SFA) is the only independent, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that serves as a professional military association whose sole focus is supporting the United States Space Force, United States Space Command, U.S. national spacepower at large, and our global partners and allies’ efforts in space exploration. Its core functions are to research, inform, and advocate to achieve superior spacepower by shaping a Space Force that provides credible deterrence in competition, dominant capability in combat, and professional services for all partners. In addition, the SFA has an essential function to provide support for the men and women of the U.S. Space Force.

About Space Generation Advisory Council

The Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) in support of the United Nations Programme on Space Applications is a global non-governmental, non-profit (US 501(c)3) organization and network that connects and represents university students and young space professionals aged 18–35 to the United Nations, space agencies, industry, and academia. With members in over 165 countries, SGAC fosters international collaboration, capacity-building, and innovation in the space sector. The organization hosts flagship events such as the annual Space Generation Congress (SGC), SGx, SGFF and regional Space Generation Workshops (SGWs), publishes policy recommendations, and provides scholarships to empower young professionals. SGAC is also dedicated to STEM outreach and advocacy, inspiring and enabling the next generation of space leaders.

U.S. Suspends Exports of Jet Engine and Semiconductor Technology to China

The New York Times reports, “The Trump administration has suspended some sales to China of critical U.S. technologies, including those related to jet engines, semiconductors and certain chemicals and machinery. The move is a response to China’s recent restrictions on exports of critical minerals to the United States, a decision by Beijing that has threatened to cripple U.S. company supply chains, according to two people familiar with the matter.”
Full Story (New York Times – Subscription Publication)

Sierra Space Marks Third Testing Milestone on Resilient GPS (R-GPS) Technology for USSF

Inside GNSS reports, “Sierra Space, a leading commercial space company and defense tech prime  announced today another successful demonstration of the company’s Resilient GPS (R-GPS) technology for the U.S. Space Force (USSF). In this third milestone, Sierra Space demonstrated an early integration of the R-GPS satellite technology through FlatSat flight software and hardware subsystem testing, in addition to successful communication with ground software.”
Full Story (Inside GNSS)