Aerospace Design and Structures
Design Engineering: Electrification, model-based engineering achieve performance, sustainability design goals
Materials: Materials tested for new and challenging missions, including space habitation
Survivability: NASA survivability test paves way for launching astronauts from U.S. soil
Adaptive Structures: On-orbit and wind tunnel tests demonstrate potential of morphing structures
Non-deterministic Approaches: Probabilistic methods gain traction for designing complex systems
Multidisciplinary Design Optimization: Progress from artificial intelligence to wing structural design optimization
Structures: Supersonic prototype, smart coatings and Orion take shape
Systems Engineering: Systems integration fuels right-first-time launches of historic missions
Structural Dynamics: X-57 Maxwell leads structural dynamic work
Aerospace Outreach
Aerospace Sciences
Aeroacoustics: Addressing noise challenges in the mobility market
Demonstrating new plasma and laser-based technologies for multiple applications
Guidance, Navigation and Control: Drones, space probes and rovers take on ambitious navigation duties
Ground Testing: Facility improvements and novel testing techniques showcase criticality of ground testing
Atmospheric and Space Environments: Focusing on safety with aircraft icing tests, radiation risk management and wake turbulence studies
Applied Aerodynamics: Micro-perforations reduce drag; demonstrating machine learning for vortex identification
Fluid Dynamics: Novel tools help uncover new insights into complex flows
Thermophysics: Plasma measurement and hypersonic flight testing among developments
Modeling and Simulation: Ramping up work on simulations for advanced air mobility
Meshing, Visualization and Computational Environments: Shortened processes, software updates advance meshing, visualization
Astrodynamics: Steady progress for space in a year of uncertainty
Atmospheric Flight Mechanics: X-61A Gremlin flights, Commercial Crew and Mars missions mark eventful year
Aircraft Technology, Integration and Operations
Lighter-Than-Air Systems: “Gravity drive” is latest experiment in carbon-free propulsion for airships
Aircraft Operations: Aircraft operations experience steep decline during pandemic
Air Transportation Systems: Covid-19 pandemic hits air transportation hard
Electrified Aircraft Technology: Electrified aircraft flight tests moving at full throttle
Flight Testing: Flight test players persevere through challenges
Hypersonic Technologies and Aerospace Planes: Flight tests and commitment to research mark hypersonics progress
Aerodynamic Decelerator Systems: Landing safely on Earth, then the moon and Mars
Balloon Systems: Progress in long-duration flight, navigation and space systems support
Aircraft Design: Steady progress in aircraft design despite covid-19 disruptions
VSTOL Aircraft Systems: V/STOL experiences expand across multiple programs
Information Systems
Aerospace Cybersecurity: Digital breaches heighten awareness of cybersecurity needs
Human-Machine Teaming: Human-machine teaming is key to the future of aerospace
Sensor Systems and Information Fusion: Improving physiological monitoring sensor systems for pilots
Computer Systems: New architectures, agile development and next-gen rad-hardening lead work in computing
Intelligent Systems: Progress in autonomy: space robotics, satellite systems, air traffic control
Digital Avionics: Radio data communication makes headway
Software: Year brings greater dependency on software
Integration
Aerospace Traffic Management: Aerospace traffic management faces new challenges
Space Exploration: Full-scale SLS booster test, OSIRIS-REx nail-biter are among exploration successes
CFD Vision 2030: Progress toward the 2030 vision of CFD
Transformational Flight: Transformational flight prototyping strong in 2020
Propulsion and Energy
Nuclear and Future Flight Propulsion: Advances seen in nuclear propulsion for human missions to Mars
Gas Turbine Engines: Aircraft engine community improves standing for operations after recovery
Solid Rockets: Booster, tactical flight tests abound while variety of science missions are launched
High-Speed Air-Breathing Propulsion: Canada, China, Europe and U.S. cite progress in hypersonic propulsion
Electric Propulsion: Electric propulsion research accelerates toward the future
Electrified Aircraft Technology: Electrified aircraft flight tests moving at full throttle
Hybrid Rockets: Encouraging tests of hybrids hold hope of safer, reliable access to space
Terrestrial Energy Systems: Energy systems focus on environmentally friendly aviation
Propellants and Combustion: Insights made about imaging radicals, predicting soot yields and detonations
Aerospace Power Systems: Launching missions to Mars and the asteroids beyond
Energetic Components and Systems: Levitating droplets, 3D-printed gun propellants, electromagnetic munitions and a game-changing solid-fuel ramjet
Liquid Propulsion: Milestones reached in development, testing and flight of new liquid propulsion systems
Inlets, Nozzles and Propulsion Systems Integration: Studies yield hopeful results for saving fuel, meeting performance goals
Pressure Gain Combustion: Taking off from Earth to space with pressure gain combustion research
Space and Missiles