In January this year I spoke to a standing-room-only crowd of over 120 aerospace engineering students at the University of Stuttgart in Germany, organized by AIAA’s vibrant student branch there. We ran out of pizza and went over time, but we left energized about the bright future that lies ahead in aerospace.
Earlier that morning, Stuttgart’s HyEnD student rocket club showed me their homemade carbon fiber overwrapped tanks and engine components for a two-stage vehicle they designed to reach above the Kármán Line. I also visited their Altitude Test Facility at the Institute of Aircraft Propulsion Systems where students work with industry to test aero-engines and components under simulated flight conditions to power next generation jet aircraft.
Both encounters left me humbled by the students’ drive and ingenuity. These impressive young professionals are pushing the boundaries of flight as they prepare to join the global aerospace workforce. I am proud to count them as AIAA members.
Initial Steps Around the World
The trip to Europe was to inaugurate AIAA’s local representation in the region. We now have two full-time staff members building ties with universities, companies, governments, and like-minded aerospace societies across the continent. The people I encountered greeted our team warmly, welcoming AIAA and expressing enthusiasm for our partnerships with their local communities.
During my visit, we also welcomed new Corporate Members from the region: Space Industries, GENERGO, and Kurs Orbital. We signed MOUs with Women in Aerospace (WIA)-Europe and AIDAA, the Italian aeronautics and astronautics association. These organizations’ participation reflects the growing interest there in connecting with AIAA’s global network.
This visit was part of my promise when I stepped into this role 17 months ago – to build bridges across the globe. I am committed to growing our international reach for three core reasons: to generate interest in our world-class publications, to grow participation in our forums and events, and to build AIAA’s membership of exceptionally talented engineers and professionals.
Since the merger of the American Rocket Society and Institute of the Aerospace Sciences in 1963, AIAA has been globally respected for technical excellence in aerospace. My visit to Europe this year confirmed that our reputation remains firmly intact.
We know what happens when our technical community connects. We are a knowledge-centered Institute where aerospace professionals convene and learn. Breakthroughs come from innovators who’ve shared a stage, debated a design, or co-authored a paper – professionals who learn together how to tackle the hard problems in aerospace.
It’s vital for AIAA to have representation within countries around the world, allowing us to serve regional priorities and strengthen relationships that support aerospace supply chains and innovation across borders. Local engagement matters. Professionals engage most deeply when someone fluent in their technical community is there to serve them.
Very recently, we added new representation in the Indo-Pacific region in Sydney, Australia. We are actively planning the next steps to enhance our presence in this region, including our participation in the 35th Congress of the International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences (ICAS 2026) in September in Sydney.
Accelerating with IAC 2029 Houston
In late February, AIAA announced our bid to host the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in 2029 in Houston, Texas. This effort is a great accelerator to our international strategy and our legacy of welcoming the global aerospace community to the United States.
AIAA has hosted IAC six times before. We are ready to host it again in Space City, Houston’s trademarked name adopted by their hometown MLB Astros and NBA Rockets sports franchises.
IAC 2029 Houston would unite the global community’s sustainable exploration ambitions. The timing coincides with NASA’s push to return to the lunar surface through Artemis and the 60th anniversary of the historic Apollo 11 landing.
We anticipate welcoming an international delegation of 13,000+ delegates from over 80 countries. Our bid has already drawn over 170 support letters from organizations and individuals in 42 countries, including the Honorable Brian Babin (TX-36), Chair of the U.S. House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
Our Trusted Future
In my first column for Aerospace America in October 2024, I shared our three-pronged strategy building on the Institute’s proud history: strengthening our international engagement, engaging the next generation, and reimagining our member services.
I am encouraged by the response – membership has grown to nearly 20,000 professional members, 15,000 university and high school members, and 102 corporate members. The community who interacts with our publications and forums now tops 102,000 people. We’ve seen record engagement in our regional student conferences in the past two years, and we have added or reinvigorated more than a dozen student branches worldwide. Stay tuned as we’ve only just started growing the next generation of AIAA aerospace professionals.
Member growth is proof that we are headed in the right direction. But our ambition goes beyond numbers. AIAA’s vision is to be the most trusted source of aerospace knowledge exchange. That trust is earned. Our commitment is to continue earning that trust with each step we take toward the future.
