Share LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Email Aerospace Design and Structures Structural Dynamics Designing the world’s largest wind turbine Materials Modeling takes the lead in driving materials research for the future Structures Multiple structures take shape Multidisciplinary Design Optimization New computing tools, international collaboration spell design progress Non-deterministic Approaches Researchers aid development of AI, additive manufacturing Adaptive Structures Shape memory materials begin to take shape Systems Engineering Systems engineers draw lessons from artistry Survivability U.S. Air Force tests steel fragments against aluminum, assesses penetration of fuel tanks Aerospace Sciences Fluid Dynamics Accelerating accurate engineering answers with simulations Ground Testing Facility reactivation and upgrades highlight busy year for ground testing Guidance, Navigation and Control Falcon Heavy makes history, Parker probe skims by sun Atmospheric and Space Environments Forecasting space weather to protect travelers Astrodynamics Landmark launches are signals of future planetary exploration Meshing, Visualization and Computational Environments Meshing, visualization community works on CFD Vision 2030 Thermophysics New technologies advancing thermophysics Plasmadynamics and Lasers Plasma diagnostics in forefront of research Aeroacoustics Predicting, reducing noise from supersonic jets and unmanned aircraft Atmospheric Flight Mechanics Progress seen on self-learning aircraft, Mars landing tech and Dream Chaser Applied Aerodynamics Real-world geometries, wind tunnel tests bring improved results Aerodynamic Measurement Technology Researchers measure xenon at low concentrations, demo novel approach to measuring particle velocities Modeling and Simulation Simulating air traffic control for training pilots Aircraft Technology, Integration and Operations Hypersonic Technologies and Aerospace Planes A new X-plane designation, testing highlight year Aircraft Operations Aviation operations focus on safety, efficiency and accommodating new entrants Balloon Systems Balloons support space flight, internet communications, scientific research Air Transportation Systems Building a structure for urban air mobility Flight Testing Commercial space enterprises, airspace integrators make test progress Lighter-Than-Air Systems Luxury ecotourism airship images excite media Aircraft Design New designs offer promise of speed and utility Aerodynamic Decelerator Systems Space, military delivery systems undergo testing VSTOL Aircraft Systems The year of electric-powered lift Information Systems Computer Systems Ensuring security while building faster supercomputers Communications Systems Industry disruption, transformation continue into fourth year Sensor Systems and Information Fusion U.S. military funds major sensor system projects Intelligent Systems UH-1 Huey flies autonomous resupply mission in test Propulsion and Energy Energetic Components and Systems Embracing innovation from Orion to additive manufacturing High-Speed Air-Breathing Propulsion Exploring high-speed propulsion for weapons, passenger aircraft Pressure Gain Combustion Funding increase for pressure gain begins to pay off Gas Turbine Engines Geared turbofan and additive manufacturing among new engine technologies Solid Rockets Global competition for affordable heavy lifters Liquid Propulsion Hope for again sending humans to space from U.S. soil Inlets, Nozzles, and Propulsion Systems Integration Improving simulations of engine performance for training, aircraft design Terrestrial Energy Systems Lightweight fission reactor passes test; work on innovative engine combustor Electric Propulsion New thrusters tested; lunar gateway power portion announced Aerospace Power Systems Powering InSight, Parker Solar Probe on their missions Nuclear and Future Flight Propulsion Progress made toward nuclear propulsion, in-situ resource utilization Propellants and Combustion Safely improving jet, rocket fuels Hybrid Rockets Toward bigger and better hybrid rockets Space and Missiles Space Systems “Lost” satellite reappears, water ice mapped at lunar poles Gravity Dependent Science and Technology Technical Committee A year of space station experiments, commercial launches and education initiatives Space Automation and Robotics Busy year of testing, robotic operations Space Logistics Falcon Heavy, New Shepard achieve important test flights Weapon System Effectiveness Hypersonic work escalates on multiple fronts Space Architecture Intense focus on NASA’s Lunar Orbital Platform-Gateway Missile Systems Longer-range and advanced seekers dominate missile development Life Sciences and Systems Report links astronauts’ increased body temperatures to time in space Space Transportation Small and large launch companies report successes Small Satellite Small satellites capable of big science Space Tethers Space elevator experiment sent to space station Space Resources Space resources community sets sights on the moon Space Operations and Support U.S. Space Force proposal, commercial crew programs grab interest Integration Transformational Flight Dozens of urban air mobility projects underway Aerospace Traffic Management FAA budget increase comes amid unmanned aircraft boom Energy Optimized Aircraft Government and industry pour resources into electric power CFD Vision 2030 Marching toward the 2030 vision of CFD Space Exploration Spitzer telescope endures, while Opportunity’s fate is pending Unmanned Systems Unmanned aircraft systems make research and business advances Aerospace Outreach History Recognizing NASA’s 60th anniversary, World War I centennial Society and Aerospace Technology Year of records includes Falcon Heavy launch, unmanned aircraft registrations Read the previous year's stories here.
Multidisciplinary Design Optimization New computing tools, international collaboration spell design progress
Survivability U.S. Air Force tests steel fragments against aluminum, assesses penetration of fuel tanks
Meshing, Visualization and Computational Environments Meshing, visualization community works on CFD Vision 2030
Atmospheric Flight Mechanics Progress seen on self-learning aircraft, Mars landing tech and Dream Chaser
Aerodynamic Measurement Technology Researchers measure xenon at low concentrations, demo novel approach to measuring particle velocities
Inlets, Nozzles, and Propulsion Systems Integration Improving simulations of engine performance for training, aircraft design
Terrestrial Energy Systems Lightweight fission reactor passes test; work on innovative engine combustor
Nuclear and Future Flight Propulsion Progress made toward nuclear propulsion, in-situ resource utilization
Gravity Dependent Science and Technology Technical Committee A year of space station experiments, commercial launches and education initiatives
Society and Aerospace Technology Year of records includes Falcon Heavy launch, unmanned aircraft registrations
