On 19 June, AIAA and the aerospace community lost a bright, brilliant, and warm figure when Geoffrey Andrews, age 30, died in a plane crash.
Andrews was an engineer and aviator whose intelligence and dedication to giving back to others was admired by everyone who had the good fortune of crossing paths with him. In addition to his job as Technical Staff at MIT Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington, MA, he devoted countless hours of his own time as a passionate AIAA volunteer and prominent member of our community.
Andrews received a B.S. from Lehigh University’s Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics and then an M.S. and Ph.D. from Purdue University’s School of Aeronautics and Astronautics. In January 2025 he was thrilled to start a new role as a visiting lecturer at his alma matter – Lehigh University – where he taught graduate courses in hypersonic aerodynamics.
As a graduate co-op student at NASA Glenn’s Propulsion Systems Analysis Branch from 2016 to 2021, Andrews investigated novel propulsion concepts under the Aeronautics directorate. His work included cycle analysis on hypersonic engines and the development of MONTE, an object-oriented framework for solving Method of Characteristics problems.
Andrews worked at the nexus of science, technology, and policy around hypersonic flight. He once wrote, “It’s an exciting time to be an aerospace engineer and I am always happy to talk about my work when I can – my interests include high-speed aerodynamics, vehicle concept development, computational mechanics, and propulsion systems.”
In 2018, he was the recipient of the Abe Zarem Graduate Award for Distinguished Achievement—Aeronautics for his work on a hybrid length scale similarity solution for swirling turbulent jets. He presented the paper on his research at ICAS 2018.
Beginning in 2019 Andrews joined AIAA’s STEM K-12 Outreach Committee where he served, until his passing, as chair of the Educator Associates Engagement Subcommittee. In this role he led and facilitated many programs for elementary, middle, and high school teachers to support them in their efforts to educate and empower the next generation. He started and organized an annual workshop at AIAA SciTech Forum that brought together educators from all over the world. Bringing a boundless energy to this role, Andrews not only organized the annual workshop but also helped judge classroom grants and scholarship applications, and actively provided feedback on the committee’s various initiatives. Many of the committee’s meetings were in the evening, and his enthusiasm energized all members. His presence at recent AIAA SciTech Forums was warmly felt, and he was easy to find with his distinctive bow ties and sartorial class.
Outside of his professional and volunteer life, Andrews described himself as being, “driven by my occasionally obsessive thirst for knowledge and my insatiable love of flight and adventure.” He was a skilled pilot and an avid traveler. He was known to enjoy flying vintage aircraft, playing classical piano, and baking “elaborate concoctions.”
On 19 June the plane Andrews was piloting experienced engine failure, and a fatal crash occurred near the Beverly Regional Airport in Massachusetts. He is survived by his wife who is expecting their first child in October.
His commitment to the aerospace education of the next generation will not be forgotten. He inspired many, including the members of the STEM K-12 Outreach Committee, who will endeavor to keep his spirit alive through educational activities. Godspeed, Dr. Geoffrey Andrews.
