The International Astronautical Congress (IAC) is the premier annual event of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) and its partner organizations, the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) and the International Institute of Space Law (IISL). The event brings together thousands of decision makers from across all sectors of the global space industry to discuss the latest space discoveries and developments, as well as explore opportunities to partner and collaborate. Many AIAA members participate in the IAC, and some are active on the committees that comprise the IAF, IAA, and IISL.
Hosted 25–29 September by the Space Industry Association of Australia in Adelaide, Australia, this year’s Congress included plenary sessions highlighting the ongoing activities and advances of the world’s leading space agencies, as well as a discussion on the social and economic impacts of space exploration; space traffic management; exploration systems research and development; on-orbit satellite servicing and refueling; and international cooperation in lunar space exploration. With over 4,200 delegates, IAC 2017 provided an excellent opportunity to engage across the international space community.
The AIAA delegation at IAC 2017 focused its efforts on engaging with its existing partners, while also exploring opportunities for further collaboration with new organizations and IAF members. To this end, AIAA Executive Director Sandy Magnus met with representatives from the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs and the Chinese Society of Astronautics to discuss collaboration opportunities. IAC 2017 also provided AIAA with an opportunity to promote IAC 2019, which will be held in Washington, D.C., in October 2019. In addition, AIAA hosted a members’ reception on the Sunday prior to the Congress start to bring together AIAA members from across the globe and provide them with an informal opportunity to interact with the AIAA delegation and each other, and learn more about AIAA’s progress in planning IAC 2019. AIAA also sponsored a Young Professionals event during IAC 2017, where Magnus gave opening remarks encouraging students and young professionals to continue engaging in their passions and the space community at large.
For more information about the IAC, including instructions for submitting a paper to present at IAC 2018 in Bremen, Germany, please visit: www.iafastro.org/events/iac/.
To learn more about IAC 2019 in Washington, D.C., please visit: www.iac2019.org.
Langston Williams from Auburn University, Auburn, AL, has won the 2017 AIAA Foundation Abe M. Zarem Award for Distinguished Achievement in Astronautics. The award recognizes graduate students in aeronautics or astronautics who have demonstrated outstanding scholarship in their field. The award honors Williams for his paper “Development of the Bidirectional Vortex in a Hemispherically-Shaped Rocket Engine.” Williams travelled to Australia to participate in the student paper competition at the 68th International Astronautical Congress in September.
The Zarem award also recognizes the faculty advisor of the award winner, reflecting Dr. Zarem’s belief that the guidance of faculty members is fundamental to the success of student research. Dr. Joseph Majdalani, professor of Aerospace Engineering at Auburn University, will receive a certificate of recognition for his work with Williams. Dr. Majdalani is the first faculty member to be recognized by the Abe Zarem panel twice for his role in advising graduate students.
“I am absolutely thrilled at the news of being selected for the prestigious Abe M. Zarem Award for Distinguished Achievement in Astronautics! … My advisor, Dr. Joseph Majdalani, is equally excited about his receipt of the Abe Zarem Educator of the Year title. He has been an outstanding mentor to me every step of the way,” said Williams.
He will be recognized with the Abe M. Zarem Medallion in Astronautics at the AIAA SciTech Forum in January.
Congratulations to the following AIAA members who will receive the AIAA Sustained Service Award. Without their passion for aerospace engineering and science as well as their dedicated efforts, AIAA could not fulfill our mission to inspire and advance the future of aerospace.
Bob Greene
Vice President
Aeronaut Corporation
McCaysville, Georgia
“For dedication and tireless efforts over 20 years of continuous service to the Atlanta Section as Programs Chair, CVD state team Captain, Section Chair and officer, and STEM programs promoter.”
Laurence D. Leavitt
Chief Scientist (retired)
NASA Langley Research Center
Hampton, Virginia
“For sustained, significant service over 42 years across local, regional, and national levels with emphasis on technical committees, outreach, and recognition of deserving colleagues.”
Robert A. Stuever
Senior Specialist Engineer
Textron Aviation
Andalem, Kansas
“For sustained service to the Institute at both the national and section levels with a variety of roles and responsibilities.”
The Sustained Service Award recognizes an AIAA member who has shown continuing dedication to the interests of the Institute by making significant and sustained contributions over a period of time, typically 10 years or more. Please visit AIAA Sustained Service Award (www.aiaa.org/HonorsAndAwardsRecipientsList.aspx?awardId=986b74ec-3f4d-44f3-b1ad-6aa0e9e7f400) for further information about this award and to download the nomination form. The 2019 Sustained Service Award deadline is 1 July 2018.
AIAA is seeking an outstanding candidate with an international reputation for this position to assume the responsibilities of Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Aerospace Information Systems in early 2018.
The Editor-in-Chief is responsible for maintaining and enhancing the journal’s quality and reputation as well as establishing a strategic vision for the journal. He or she receives manuscripts, assigns them to Associate Editors for review and evaluation, and monitors the performance of the Associate Editors to ensure that the manuscripts are processed in a fair and timely manner. The Editor-in-Chief works closely with AIAA Headquarters staff on both general procedures and the scheduling of specific issues for this online-only journal. Detailed record keeping and prompt actions are required. AIAA provides a small honorarium and all appropriate resources to support the manuscript review process, including a web-based manuscript-tracking system.
Interested candidates are invited to submit resumes and letters of application for consideration. A selection committee will seek candidates and review all applications received. A final recommendation will be made to the AIAA Board of Trustees for approval. This is an open process, and the final selection will be made only on the basis of the applicants’ merits. All candidates will be notified of the final decision. Questions may be referred to Heather Brennan, Director, Publications at heatherb@aiaa.org.
Applications are due 1 December 2017. The full journal scope and complete application requirements will be available in Aerospace Research Central on the landing page for Journal of Aerospace Information Systems at arc.aiaa.org/loi/jais.
The AIAA Diversity and Inclusion Plan was published during summer 2016. The plan specifically calls for participation, advocacy and support from the local levels of regions, sections and chapters. Specific objectives include conducting events, identifying and disseminating best practices for attracting and retaining diverse AIAA members, mentoring programs for diverse members, and supporting Institute efforts to address poor retention of student members after graduation. The AIAA New England Section has taken up this initiative aggressively and has been actively working toward reaching out to our ~1000 section members, planning and hosting special events, as well as collaborating with other organizations and professional societies.
Our most recent event took place on 14 September at the MIT campus where 72 attendees heard a talk by Professor Sheila Widnall entitled “The Next Step for Women in Engineering—Transition from University to Industry.” Professor Widnall, a past AIAA President, a past Secretary of the Air Force and currently an Institute Professor and Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics at MIT is co-chair of a committee at NAE/NAS/NAM on Addressing Sexual Harassment in Science, Engineering, and Medical Workplaces. Although women comprise 20% of engineering graduates, only 11% are practicing engineers. Women are leaving engineering. To understand why, recent studies have focused on the quality of their first experiences as working engineers. The studies show that leadership and organizational qualities of first-line managers as well as organizational climate are of significant importance. This is clearly something that organizations can and should focus on. It will produce a more accepting environment for all new engineering employees and aid the company as well.
Professor Widnall discussed recommendations being evaluated, including investing in providing substantial training and professional development, taking simple steps in terms of defining and clarifying what is expected of the employees and creating a culture that respects all by rooting out uncivil and undermining behaviors in the workplace. Attendees were very engaged as evidenced by the many in-depth questions and discussion followed by the presentation.
Not only the event was well attended, the attendees represented a healthy spectrum of participants of young students (undergraduate and graduate), young professionals, and established professionals from engineering and management ranks. Another noteworthy accomplishment of this event is the collaboration established by the AIAA New England Section with MIT campus, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the SAE, and the American Helicopter Society.
The AIAA Foundation Award for Excellence is the highest award presented by the AIAA Foundation Board of Trustees, recognizing excellence within the aerospace community. Eligible nominees will offer a unique achievement or extraordinary lifetime contributions inspiring the global aerospace community.
Nomination Deadline: 15 January 2018
For more information or to make a nomination, please visit www.aiaa.org/FoundationAwardForExcellence.
James “Jim” R. Snyder Sr., age 79, passed away on 18 September. He was 79 years old.
Mr. Snyder excelled in the aerospace field for almost 60 years and was doing the work that he loved to the end of his life. He began his career at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in 1958 as a Co-operative Program student from the University of Cincinnati. After retiring from the base, he continued to support the Air Force as a consultant and contractor. He was a one of a kind aerodynamicist, aircraft designer and analyst. He made many important advanced research contributions to the United States Air Force, NASA and DARPA. He contributed to the design and development specifications for the Air Force Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) AGM-68, the B-1 bomber, the F-15 and F-16 fighters, and the C-17 transport.
During his career, Snyder made innovative contributions to aircraft for high altitude reconnaissance, quiet operations, long endurance, hypersonic flight and special operations. He did advanced research in the areas of aircraft aerodynamic optimization, aero-propulsion integration, and stability and control. Snyder did extensive aircraft design and propulsion integration research to show the benefits to fighter and transport aircraft of new engine technology over existing propulsion technology. He developed advanced aircraft configurations for many different applications. Weapons work included missile flight path control and guidance, missile fluidic stability and control and acoustics.
Mr. Snyder was an active member of AIAA. He authored many technical papers. Giving freely of his time, he was an advisor to the University of Cincinnati Department of Aerospace Engineering. He tutored students in mathematics and science and participated in STEM activities. He was the recipient of two Certificates of Recognition from NASA, the Affiliate Societies Council of Dayton Technical Leadership Award and the Department of the Air Force Outstanding Career Civilian Service Award.
