Aerospace Research Central

2024

By Ketan AjaniNovember 30, 2024

November 30, 2024

2024 Year In Review

Aerospace Design and Structures

Adaptive Structures

Aeronautics-centered structural adaptivity shares the stage with extraterrestrial and transitional solutions

Design Engineering

New designs and technologies shaping the future of aviation and space exploration

Innovations in design and test for the new space frontier

Multidisciplinary Design Optimization

Advances in analytical and computational processes improve vehicle optimization

Advances seen in high-temperature ceramic matric composites and in hypervelocity impact test facilities

Spacecraft Structures

On-orbit demonstrations and ground tests push technology forward

Non-deterministic Approaches

A groundbreaking year for uncertainty quantification

Structural Dynamics

A year of new dynamic tests and facilities

Breakthroughs noted in space debris propagation, aircraft vulnerability and high-speed X-ray imaging

Systems Engineering

Modernizing acquisition through digital engineering and AI

Aerospace Sciences

Advancing the next generation of quiet flight

Aerodynamic Measurement Technology

Advances in high-speed optical diagnostics help characterize airflows from subsonic to hypersonic speeds

Applied Aerodynamics

From micro-vortex generators to supersonic parachute dynamics, researchers glean deeper insights

Atmospheric Flight Mechanics

New takeoff and landing capabilities headline a momentous year

Measuring, simulating, predicting and controlling fluid motion

Testing spans flow speed extremes

Atmospheric and Space Environments

Sounding rocket launches, new public models and data highlight progress

Moon shadows and lunar far side samples headline the year

Meshing, Visualization and Computational Environments

Powerful new capabilities emerge across the community

Complementary ground and flight tests advance next-generation hypersonic vehicle materials

Plasmadynamics and Lasers

Plasma and laser innovations for flight control

Guidance, Navigation and Control

Enabling groundbreaking missions

Modeling and Simulation

With more sophisticated tools, researchers study configurations and operations for future aircraft

Aircraft Technology, Integration and Operations

Aircraft Design

With first flights, companies push the range of vehicle and market types

Air Transportation Systems

FAA authorizes simultaneous beyond-visual-line-of-sight drone flights, and other breakthroughs

Low and slow to high and fast marks flight tests

Balloon Systems

Scientific balloons reach new heights

Aerodynamic Decelerator Systems

Developing parachute systems and simulating fluid-structure interactions

Electrified Aircraft Technology

Pushing the envelope on electric aircraft technologies

Aircraft Operations

Aircraft operations experience record traffic and renewed emphasis on safety

General Aviation

Focus increases on electric and autonomous aircraft technologies

Lighter-Than-Air Systems

Largest airship since Hindenburg begins test flights, other ventures progress toward commercialization

VSTOL Aircraft Systems

Leveraging past vertical-lift technology for today’s aircraft

Hypersonic Technologies and Aerospace Planes

Hypersonic flight tests get democratized

Information Systems

Aerospace Cybersecurity

Aviation and space sectors tackle growing threats with task forces and regulatory action

Computer Systems

Computing enables Voyager’s revival, next-gen space computers and AI

Digital Avionics

Advancing technologies for safety-critical applications

Human-Machine Teaming

Pairing AI with human-machine teaming for the next step forward

Communications Systems

Communications satellites continue proliferation into new orbits with expanding services

Engineers drive fixes to Voyager 1 spacecraft and CrowdStrike software

Sensor Systems and Information Fusion

Quantum sensing moves closer to reality

Information Command and Control Systems

Integrated decision-making with distributed operations continues to shape the future

Intelligent Systems

Advances made in the development, testing and certification of AI-based aerospace sensing and control

Propulsion and Energy

Gas Turbine Engines

Engine industry retains eco-focus as it expands capacity for air travel

Aerospace Power Systems

Powering missions to Earth’s moon and other planetary moons

High-Speed Air-Breathing Propulsion

High-speed air-breathing propulsion pushes the limits of Mach numbers

Energetic Components and Systems

Updated standards for explosive devices and other breakthroughs

Electric Propulsion

A year of sustained growth and learning about electric thrusters

Liquid Propulsion

A year of firsts in liquid propulsion

Lean, green, self-consuming flying machines: Hybrid rockets soar to new heights

Inlets, Nozzles and Propulsion Systems Integration

Making strides in hybrid powertrain technology

Nuclear and Future Flight Propulsion

Interest grows in nuclear propulsion for deep-space transportation

Pressure Gain Combustion

Rotating detonation designs make progress on multiple continents

Solid rocket motors support growing number of rocket launches and missile tests

Propellants and Combustion

Advances reported in detonation-based systems and solid-fuel scramjets

Terrestrial Energy Systems

Adopting ammonia fuel for marine vessels and pushing toward wider use of liquid hydrogen fuel

Space and Missiles

Life Sciences and Systems

A Mars analog mission concludes, NASA’s spacesuit challenges continue

Microgravity and Space Processes

Embarking on a new decade of space exploration research

Reusable Launch Vehicles

Widespread reusability starts to become a reality

Missile Systems

Missile defense industry takes steps to meet modern demands

Small Satellite

Number of small satellite launches continues to grow, with no end in sight

Space Architecture

Commerce spreads in low-Earth orbit as government agencies set their sights higher

Space Automation and Robotics

Expanding the final frontier with robots

Space Logistics

Navigating challenges and fueling growth in space logistics capabilities

Space Resources

Tests and technology development push in-situ resource utilization forward

Space Settlement

Progress toward making future space communities possible

Technology for satellites and human spaceflight advances, as commitments to mitigating space debris strengthen

Researchers refine tether technologies for commercial use

Space Transportation

Record pace continues in space launch

Weapon System Effectiveness

Missile defense, hypersonics and high-energy lasers versus drones

Aerospace Outreach

Olympics pay tribute to first hot air balloon flight, industry events call for preserving space artifacts

Society and Aerospace Technology

Drone deliveries, high-speed aircraft and human spaceflight captivate the public

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