Aerospace Research Central

2020

By Ketan AjaniDecember 1, 2020

December 1, 2020

2020 Year In Review

Aerospace Design and Structures

Multidisciplinary Design Optimization

Progress from artificial intelligence to wing structural design optimization

Systems Engineering

Systems integration fuels right-first-time launches of historic missions

NASA survivability test paves way for launching astronauts from U.S. soil

Supersonic prototype, smart coatings and Orion take shape

Structural Dynamics

X-57 Maxwell leads structural dynamic work

Non-deterministic Approaches

Probabilistic methods gain traction for designing complex systems

Materials tested for new and challenging missions, including space habitation

Design Engineering

Electrification, model-based engineering achieve performance, sustainability design goals

Adaptive Structures

On-orbit and wind tunnel tests demonstrate potential of morphing structures

Spacecraft Structures

Developing technology for smallsat solar arrays and antennas

Aerospace Sciences

Guidance, Navigation and Control

Drones, space probes and rovers take on ambitious navigation duties

Facility improvements and novel testing techniques showcase criticality of ground testing

Novel tools help uncover new insights into complex flows

Atmospheric Flight Mechanics

X-61A Gremlin flights, Commercial Crew and Mars missions mark eventful year

Atmospheric and Space Environments

Focusing on safety with aircraft icing tests, radiation risk management and wake turbulence studies

Steady progress for space in a year of uncertainty

Applied Aerodynamics

Micro-perforations reduce drag; demonstrating machine learning for vortex identification

Plasma measurement and hypersonic flight testing among developments

Demonstrating new plasma and laser-based technologies for multiple applications

Addressing noise challenges in the mobility market

Modeling and Simulation

Ramping up work on simulations for advanced air mobility

Meshing, Visualization and Computational Environments

Shortened processes, software updates advance meshing, visualization

Aircraft Technology, Integration and Operations

Propulsion and Energy

Encouraging tests of hybrids hold hope of safer, reliable access to space

Energetic Components and Systems

Levitating droplets, 3D-printed gun propellants, electromagnetic munitions and a game-changing solid-fuel ramjet

Aerospace Power Systems

Launching missions to Mars and the asteroids beyond

Electric Propulsion

Electric propulsion research accelerates toward the future

Inlets, Nozzles and Propulsion Systems Integration

Studies yield hopeful results for saving fuel, meeting performance goals

Terrestrial Energy Systems

Energy systems focus on environmentally friendly aviation

Booster, tactical flight tests abound while variety of science missions are launched

Propellants and Combustion

Insights made about imaging radicals, predicting soot yields and detonations

Liquid Propulsion

Milestones reached in development, testing and flight of new liquid propulsion systems

Pressure Gain Combustion

Taking off from Earth to space with pressure gain combustion research

Nuclear and Future Flight Propulsion

Advances seen in nuclear propulsion for human missions to Mars

High-Speed Air-Breathing Propulsion

Canada, China, Europe and U.S. cite progress in hypersonic propulsion

Gas Turbine Engines

Aircraft engine community improves standing for operations after recovery

Space and Missiles

Weapon System Effectiveness

Industry, U.S. military work on hypersonics and advanced integrated design processes

Space Transportation

Crewed launch returns to Kennedy Space Center

Microgravity and Space Processes

Microgravity research aids long-duration human space missions

Tethers demonstrate propellantless propulsion in low-Earth orbit

Life Sciences and Systems

Progress for human life support in Earth orbit and in Mars atmosphere

Space systems have busy year: human spaceflight, Mars missions and on-orbit servicing

Space Resources

First in-situ resource utilization payload heads to Mars

Space Operations and Support

Commercial Crew successes lead the way in a pivotal year

Space Logistics

Commercial human spaceflight leads year of firsts

Space Colonization

Preparations for space settlements continued, despite a challenging year

Space Automation and Robotics

Launch of Perseverance rover caps 2020 in space robotics

Space Architecture

Lunar and Mars projects open space architecture opportunities

Small Satellite

Small satellites becoming new normal

Reusable Launch Vehicles

Suborbital flight testing paves way for long-term goals

Integration

Transformational Flight

Transformational flight prototyping strong in 2020

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

Aerospace Traffic Management

Aerospace traffic management faces new challenges

Aerospace Outreach

Society and Aerospace Technology

A year of turmoil and success in aerospace

Astronauts again launch from U.S. soil

Demo