Aerospace Design and Structures
Structural Dynamics: A year of new dynamic tests and facilities
Multidisciplinary Design Optimization: Advances in analytical and computational processes improve vehicle optimization
Structures: Advances seen in high-temperature ceramic matric composites and in hypervelocity impact test facilities
Adaptive Structures: Aeronautics-centered structural adaptivity shares the stage with extraterrestrial and transitional solutions
Survivability: Breakthroughs noted in space debris propagation, aircraft vulnerability and high-speed X-ray imaging
Materials: Innovations in design and test for the new space frontier
Systems Engineering: Modernizing acquisition through digital engineering and AI
Design Engineering: New designs and technologies shaping the future of aviation and space exploration
Spacecraft Structures: On-orbit demonstrations and ground tests push technology forward
Aerospace Outreach
Aerospace Sciences
Aerodynamic Measurement Technology: Advances in high-speed optical diagnostics help characterize airflows from subsonic to hypersonic speeds
Aeroacoustics: Advancing the next generation of quiet flight
Thermophysics: Complementary ground and flight tests advance next-generation hypersonic vehicle materials
Guidance, Navigation and Control: Enabling groundbreaking missions
Applied Aerodynamics: From micro-vortex generators to supersonic parachute dynamics, researchers glean deeper insights
Fluid Dynamics: Measuring, simulating, predicting and controlling fluid motion
Astrodynamics: Moon shadows and lunar far side samples headline the year
Atmospheric Flight Mechanics: New takeoff and landing capabilities headline a momentous year
Plasmadynamics and Lasers: Plasma and laser innovations for flight control
Meshing, Visualization and Computational Environments: Powerful new capabilities emerge across the community
Atmospheric and Space Environments: Sounding rocket launches, new public models and data highlight progress
Ground Testing: Testing spans flow speed extremes
Modeling and Simulation: With more sophisticated tools, researchers study configurations and operations for future aircraft
Aircraft Technology, Integration and Operations
Aircraft Operations: Aircraft operations experience record traffic and renewed emphasis on safety
Aerodynamic Decelerator Systems: Developing parachute systems and simulating fluid-structure interactions
Air Transportation Systems: FAA authorizes simultaneous beyond-visual-line-of-sight drone flights, and other breakthroughs
General Aviation: Focus increases on electric and autonomous aircraft technologies
Hypersonic Technologies and Aerospace Planes: Hypersonic flight tests get democratized
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
Flight Testing: Low and slow to high and fast marks flight tests
Electrified Aircraft Technology: Pushing the envelope on electric aircraft technologies
Balloon Systems: Scientific balloons reach new heights
Aircraft Design: With first flights, companies push the range of vehicle and market types
Information Systems
Intelligent Systems: Advances made in the development, testing and certification of AI-based aerospace sensing and control
Advancing technologies for safety-critical applications
Aerospace Cybersecurity: Aviation and space sectors tackle growing threats with task forces and regulatory action
Communications Systems: Communications satellites continue proliferation into new orbits with expanding services
Computer Systems: Computing enables Voyager’s revival, next-gen space computers and AI
Software: Engineers drive fixes to Voyager 1 spacecraft and CrowdStrike software
Information Command and Control Systems: Integrated decision-making with distributed operations continues to shape the future
Human-Machine Teaming: Pairing AI with human-machine teaming for the next step forward
Sensor Systems and Information Fusion: Quantum sensing moves closer to reality
Integration
Supersonics: Boom’s demonstrator took flight, NASA continued X-59 preparations
CFD Vision 2030: Creating ever-more-sophisticated simulations
Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena: Governments, civilian groups increase push for research and reporting
Space Exploration: NASA, European Space Agency go for Jupiter’s moons
Aerospace Traffic Management: Preparing for new airspace entrants
Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems: Trials and test flights mark progress toward autonomous aircraft operations
Propulsion and Energy
Liquid Propulsion: A year of firsts in liquid propulsion
Electric Propulsion: A year of sustained growth and learning about electric thrusters
Terrestrial Energy Systems: Adopting ammonia fuel for marine vessels and pushing toward wider use of liquid hydrogen fuel
Propellants and Combustion: Advances reported in detonation-based systems and solid-fuel scramjets
Gas Turbine Engines: Engine industry retains eco-focus as it expands capacity for air travel
High-Speed Air-Breathing Propulsion: High-speed air-breathing propulsion pushes the limits of Mach numbers
Nuclear and Future Flight Propulsion: Interest grows in nuclear propulsion for deep-space transportation
Hybrid Rockets: Lean, green, self-consuming flying machines: Hybrid rockets soar to new heights
Inlets, Nozzles and Propulsion Systems Integration: Making strides in hybrid powertrain technology
Aerospace Power Systems: Powering missions to Earth’s moon and other planetary moons
Pressure Gain Combustion: Rotating detonation designs make progress on multiple continents
Solid Rockets: Solid rocket motors support growing number of rocket launches and missile tests
Energetic Components and Systems: Updated standards for explosive devices and other breakthroughs
Space and Missiles