Aerospace Design and Structures
Spacecraft Structures: Focusing on large spacecraft to carry out exploration plans
Non-deterministic Approaches: From probabilistic machine learning to “look ahead” decision-making in the design of complex engineered systems
Survivability: Military research focuses on improving survivability in both air and space
Adaptive Structures: Morphing structures reach new heights, from tests on Earth to Mars
Multidisciplinary Design Optimization: Researchers pursue design optimization in vehicle development technologies
Design Engineering: Space tourism flights show off distinctly different designs approaches
Structural Dynamics: Structural dynamicists turn out important lab work despite another year of covid
Systems Engineering: Working on future missions with systems built over decades
Aerospace Outreach
Aerospace Sciences
Atmospheric Flight Mechanics: 737 MAX flying again, progress in aircraft flight testing and much activity on Mars
Aeroacoustics: Addressing future noise requirements in civil aviation
Guidance, Navigation and Control: Autonomous operations take the forefront at Mars, in human spaceflight and aerial refueling
Applied Aerodynamics: Computations, experiments, flight tests and additive manufacturing improve aerospace platforms
Modeling and Simulation: Conducting traffic flow and urban air mobility simulations for future air transportation goals
Fluid Dynamics: Enhancing capabilities to measure, analyze and control fluid flows
Ground Testing: Facility improvements, return to service and novel testing techniques showcase critical ground testing
Plasmadynamics and Lasers: Fundamental advancements in plasmas and lasers propel the future of propulsion and energy
Aerodynamic Measurement Technology: Innovative imaging methods bring new diagnostic capabilities
Astrodynamics: Mission milestones push the state-of-the-art in astrodynamics
Thermophysics: NASA advances atmospheric entry technology through spacecraft instrumentation
Meshing, Visualization and Computational Environments: Software releases, a corporate acquisition and advances in simulation propel meshing forward
Atmospheric and Space Environments: Sounding rockets, simulations advance understanding of complex environments
Aircraft Technology, Integration and Operations
Aircraft Design: 737 MAX 10, NASA’s Ingenuity and others make first flights
Air Transportation Systems: Air transportation systems recovering from pandemic’s effects
Aircraft Operations: Aircraft operations begin to recover from covid
Balloon Systems: Altitude-controlled balloons in development for Earth and planetary missions
Flight Testing: Flight testing of commercial space vehicles and automation technology
VSTOL Aircraft Systems: Flying on Mars and developing V/STOL and eVTOL programs continue apace
Aerodynamic Decelerator Systems: Improving accuracy of military airdrops, even without GPS
Hypersonic Technologies and Aerospace Planes: Influx of private capital marks another potential hypersonic inflection point
Lighter-Than-Air Systems: Sergey Brin’s zeppelin: The biggest, greenest aircraft in the world
Information Systems
Computer Systems: A drone on Mars hints at space computing things to come
Intelligent Systems: Demonstrating and testing artificial intelligence applications in aerospace
Digital Avionics: Digital avionics guide accomplishments in aeronautics and astronautics
Human-Machine Teaming: Human-machine teaming involved in current and future challenges on Earth and on Mars
Communications Systems: Low-Earth orbit megaconstellations reach record capacity
Software: Sending drones to disasters; making history on Mars
Integration
Supersonics: Low-boom technologies gain ground with improved measurement tools and more research
Space Exploration: NASA flies to Mars; Webb nears launch
CFD Vision 2030: Refining challenge goals to make realistic progress
Transformational Flight: Transformational flight business ramps up with mergers and purchase orders
Propulsion and Energy
Hybrid Rockets: A defining year for hybrid rocket innovation
Electric Propulsion: Electric propulsion: An expanding capability and community
Pressure Gain Combustion: Expanding the potential benefits of rotating detonation engines
Nuclear and Future Flight Propulsion: Focusing on nuclear propulsion and power for Mars missions
Gas Turbine Engines: Gas turbine industry commits to sustainable aviation fuel research
High-Speed Air-Breathing Propulsion: Hypersonic flight systems: From research and testing to business analysis
Solid Rockets: Launch industry sees a defining year for interceptors, hypersonic boosters and space orbiters
Liquid Propulsion: Many companies and agencies achieve new launch capabilities with more to come
Inlets, Nozzles and Propulsion Systems Integration: New techniques and results enhance physical understanding
Aerospace Power Systems: Photovoltaic-powered exploration punctuates the year
Terrestrial Energy Systems: Progress in carbon-neutral technologies for power generation
Energetic Components and Systems: Smart thermites enter the scene; progress seen on thermography for ballistics and electric propulsion for nanosatellites
Propellants and Combustion: Testing ways to reduce emissions, increase speeds and create smarter combustion
Space and Missiles