NASA rethinks Artemis path forward, accelerating launch cadence and adding 2027 missionFebruary 27, 2026
Share LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Email Aerospace Design and Structures Spacecraft Structures Developing technology for smallsat solar arrays and antennas Design Engineering Electrification, model-based engineering achieve performance, sustainability design goals Materials Materials tested for new and challenging missions, including space habitation Survivability NASA survivability test paves way for launching astronauts from U.S. soil Adaptive Structures On-orbit and wind tunnel tests demonstrate potential of morphing structures Non-deterministic Approaches Probabilistic methods gain traction for designing complex systems Multidisciplinary Design Optimization Progress from artificial intelligence to wing structural design optimization Structures Supersonic prototype, smart coatings and Orion take shape Systems Engineering Systems integration fuels right-first-time launches of historic missions Structural Dynamics X-57 Maxwell leads structural dynamic work Aerospace Sciences Aeroacoustics Addressing noise challenges in the mobility market Demonstrating new plasma and laser-based technologies for multiple applications Guidance, Navigation and Control Drones, space probes and rovers take on ambitious navigation duties Ground Testing Facility improvements and novel testing techniques showcase criticality of ground testing Atmospheric and Space Environments Focusing on safety with aircraft icing tests, radiation risk management and wake turbulence studies Applied Aerodynamics Micro-perforations reduce drag; demonstrating machine learning for vortex identification Fluid Dynamics Novel tools help uncover new insights into complex flows Thermophysics Plasma measurement and hypersonic flight testing among developments Modeling and Simulation Ramping up work on simulations for advanced air mobility Meshing, Visualization and Computational Environments Shortened processes, software updates advance meshing, visualization Astrodynamics Steady progress for space in a year of uncertainty Atmospheric Flight Mechanics X-61A Gremlin flights, Commercial Crew and Mars missions mark eventful year Aircraft Technology, Integration and Operations Lighter-Than-Air Systems “Gravity drive” is latest experiment in carbon-free propulsion for airships Aircraft Operations Aircraft operations experience steep decline during pandemic Air Transportation Systems Covid-19 pandemic hits air transportation hard Electrified Aircraft Technology Electrified aircraft flight tests moving at full throttle Flight Testing Flight test players persevere through challenges Hypersonic Technologies and Aerospace Planes Flight tests and commitment to research mark hypersonics progress Aerodynamic Decelerator Systems Landing safely on Earth, then the moon and Mars Balloon Systems Progress in long-duration flight, navigation and space systems support Aircraft Design Steady progress in aircraft design despite covid-19 disruptions VSTOL Aircraft Systems V/STOL experiences expand across multiple programs Information Systems Aerospace Cybersecurity Digital breaches heighten awareness of cybersecurity needs Human-Machine Teaming Human-machine teaming is key to the future of aerospace Sensor Systems and Information Fusion Improving physiological monitoring sensor systems for pilots Computer Systems New architectures, agile development and next-gen rad-hardening lead work in computing Intelligent Systems Progress in autonomy: space robotics, satellite systems, air traffic control Communications Systems Promise and uncertainty in the satellite communications industry Digital Avionics Radio data communication makes headway Software Year brings greater dependency on software Propulsion and Energy Nuclear and Future Flight Propulsion Advances seen in nuclear propulsion for human missions to Mars Gas Turbine Engines Aircraft engine community improves standing for operations after recovery Solid Rockets Booster, tactical flight tests abound while variety of science missions are launched High-Speed Air-Breathing Propulsion Canada, China, Europe and U.S. cite progress in hypersonic propulsion Electric Propulsion Electric propulsion research accelerates toward the future Hybrid Rockets Encouraging tests of hybrids hold hope of safer, reliable access to space Terrestrial Energy Systems Energy systems focus on environmentally friendly aviation Propellants and Combustion Insights made about imaging radicals, predicting soot yields and detonations Aerospace Power Systems Launching missions to Mars and the asteroids beyond Energetic Components and Systems Levitating droplets, 3D-printed gun propellants, electromagnetic munitions and a game-changing solid-fuel ramjet Liquid Propulsion Milestones reached in development, testing and flight of new liquid propulsion systems Inlets, Nozzles, and Propulsion Systems Integration Studies yield hopeful results for saving fuel, meeting performance goals Pressure Gain Combustion Taking off from Earth to space with pressure gain combustion research Space and Missiles Space Operations and Support Commercial Crew successes lead the way in a pivotal year Space Logistics Commercial human spaceflight leads year of firsts Space Transportation Crewed launch returns to Kennedy Space Center Space Resources First in-situ resource utilization payload heads to Mars Weapon System Effectiveness Industry, U.S. military work on hypersonics and advanced integrated design processes Space Automation and Robotics Launch of Perseverance rover caps 2020 in space robotics Space Architecture Lunar and Mars projects open space architecture opportunities Gravity Dependent Science and Technology Technical Committee Microgravity research aids long-duration human space missions Space Colonization Preparations for space settlements continued, despite a challenging year Life Sciences and Systems Progress for human life support in Earth orbit and in Mars atmosphere Small Satellite Small satellites becoming new normal Space Systems Space systems have busy year: human spaceflight, Mars missions and on-orbit servicing Reusable Launch Vehicles Suborbital flight testing paves way for long-term goals Space Tethers Tethers demonstrate propellantless propulsion in low-Earth orbit Integration Aerospace Traffic Management Aerospace traffic management faces new challenges Space Exploration Full-scale SLS booster test, OSIRIS-REx nail-biter are among exploration successes CFD Vision 2030 Progress toward the 2030 vision of CFD Transformational Flight Transformational flight prototyping strong in 2020 Aerospace Outreach Society and Aerospace Technology A year of turmoil and success in aerospace History Astronauts again launch from U.S. soil Read the previous year's stories here.
Design Engineering Electrification, model-based engineering achieve performance, sustainability design goals
Multidisciplinary Design Optimization Progress from artificial intelligence to wing structural design optimization
Ground Testing Facility improvements and novel testing techniques showcase criticality of ground testing
Atmospheric and Space Environments Focusing on safety with aircraft icing tests, radiation risk management and wake turbulence studies
Applied Aerodynamics Micro-perforations reduce drag; demonstrating machine learning for vortex identification
Meshing, Visualization and Computational Environments Shortened processes, software updates advance meshing, visualization
Atmospheric Flight Mechanics X-61A Gremlin flights, Commercial Crew and Mars missions mark eventful year
Hypersonic Technologies and Aerospace Planes Flight tests and commitment to research mark hypersonics progress
Computer Systems New architectures, agile development and next-gen rad-hardening lead work in computing
High-Speed Air-Breathing Propulsion Canada, China, Europe and U.S. cite progress in hypersonic propulsion
Propellants and Combustion Insights made about imaging radicals, predicting soot yields and detonations
Energetic Components and Systems Levitating droplets, 3D-printed gun propellants, electromagnetic munitions and a game-changing solid-fuel ramjet
Liquid Propulsion Milestones reached in development, testing and flight of new liquid propulsion systems
Inlets, Nozzles, and Propulsion Systems Integration Studies yield hopeful results for saving fuel, meeting performance goals
Weapon System Effectiveness Industry, U.S. military work on hypersonics and advanced integrated design processes
Gravity Dependent Science and Technology Technical Committee Microgravity research aids long-duration human space missions
