Boeing posts fourth-quarter profit despite losses in commercial aircraft, defense unitsJanuary 27, 2026
China’s space telescope aims to unlock cosmic mysteries. Will international science benefit?January 26, 2026
Autonomous aircraft ops may be limited by number of human operators, NASA research indicatesJanuary 23, 2026
Share LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Email Aerospace Design and Structures Structures Achievements include better composite laminate curing using nanotubes and a new integrity sensor Spacecraft Structures Focusing on large spacecraft to carry out exploration plans Non-deterministic Approaches From probabilistic machine learning to “look ahead” decision-making in the design of complex engineered systems Survivability Military research focuses on improving survivability in both air and space Adaptive Structures Morphing structures reach new heights, from tests on Earth to Mars Multidisciplinary Design Optimization Researchers pursue design optimization in vehicle development technologies Design Engineering Space tourism flights show off distinctly different designs approaches Structural Dynamics Structural dynamicists turn out important lab work despite another year of covid Systems Engineering Working on future missions with systems built over decades Aerospace Sciences Atmospheric Flight Mechanics 737 MAX flying again, progress in aircraft flight testing and much activity on Mars Aeroacoustics Addressing future noise requirements in civil aviation Guidance, Navigation and Control Autonomous operations take the forefront at Mars, in human spaceflight and aerial refueling Applied Aerodynamics Computations, experiments, flight tests and additive manufacturing improve aerospace platforms Modeling and Simulation Conducting traffic flow and urban air mobility simulations for future air transportation goals Fluid Dynamics Enhancing capabilities to measure, analyze and control fluid flows Ground Testing Facility improvements, return to service and novel testing techniques showcase critical ground testing Plasmadynamics and Lasers Fundamental advancements in plasmas and lasers propel the future of propulsion and energy Aerodynamic Measurement Technology Innovative imaging methods bring new diagnostic capabilities Astrodynamics Mission milestones push the state-of-the-art in astrodynamics Thermophysics NASA advances atmospheric entry technology through spacecraft instrumentation Meshing, Visualization and Computational Environments Software releases, a corporate acquisition and advances in simulation propel meshing forward Atmospheric and Space Environments Sounding rockets, simulations advance understanding of complex environments Aircraft Technology, Integration and Operations Aircraft Design 737 MAX 10, NASA’s Ingenuity and others make first flights Air Transportation Systems Air transportation systems recovering from pandemic’s effects Aircraft Operations Aircraft operations begin to recover from covid Balloon Systems Altitude-controlled balloons in development for Earth and planetary missions Flight Testing Flight testing of commercial space vehicles and automation technology VSTOL Aircraft Systems Flying on Mars and developing V/STOL and eVTOL programs continue apace Aerodynamic Decelerator Systems Improving accuracy of military airdrops, even without GPS Hypersonic Technologies and Aerospace Planes Influx of private capital marks another potential hypersonic inflection point Lighter-Than-Air Systems Sergey Brin’s zeppelin: The biggest, greenest aircraft in the world Information Systems Computer Systems A drone on Mars hints at space computing things to come Intelligent Systems Demonstrating and testing artificial intelligence applications in aerospace Digital Avionics Digital avionics guide accomplishments in aeronautics and astronautics Human-Machine Teaming Human-machine teaming involved in current and future challenges on Earth and on Mars Communications Systems Low-Earth orbit megaconstellations reach record capacity Software Sending drones to disasters; making history on Mars Propulsion and Energy Hybrid Rockets A defining year for hybrid rocket innovation Electric Propulsion Electric propulsion: An expanding capability and community Pressure Gain Combustion Expanding the potential benefits of rotating detonation engines Nuclear and Future Flight Propulsion Focusing on nuclear propulsion and power for Mars missions Gas Turbine Engines Gas turbine industry commits to sustainable aviation fuel research High-Speed Air-Breathing Propulsion Hypersonic flight systems: From research and testing to business analysis Solid Rockets Launch industry sees a defining year for interceptors, hypersonic boosters and space orbiters Liquid Propulsion Many companies and agencies achieve new launch capabilities with more to come Inlets, Nozzles, and Propulsion Systems Integration New techniques and results enhance physical understanding Aerospace Power Systems Photovoltaic-powered exploration punctuates the year Terrestrial Energy Systems Progress in carbon-neutral technologies for power generation Energetic Components and Systems Smart thermites enter the scene; progress seen on thermography for ballistics and electric propulsion for nanosatellites Propellants and Combustion Testing ways to reduce emissions, increase speeds and create smarter combustion Space and Missiles Life Sciences and Systems 3D-printed tissues, freeze-dried sperm and gene editing Space Resources A paradigm shift: First oxygen produced on Mars Missile Systems Companies report a number of firsts for missile tests Space Logistics Gateway leads the era of deep space infrastructure development Space Systems Human spaceflights and science missions lead dynamic year Weapon System Effectiveness Missile defense and hypersonics tests characterize busy year Reusable Launch Vehicles Pace of reusable rocket launches picks up Space Automation and Robotics Robotic milestones include first controlled powered flight on another planet Small Satellite Small-satellite launches and opportunities increase Space Architecture Space architecture projects building on space station experience Space Tethers Space tethers demonstrate deorbit capability Gravity Dependent Science and Technology Technical Committee Steady progress in microgravity research leveraging diverse flight platforms Integration Supersonics Low-boom technologies gain ground with improved measurement tools and more research Space Exploration NASA flies to Mars; Webb nears launch Aerospace Traffic Management NASA, FAA open discussions on regulating urban air mobility and transiting space vehicle traffic CFD Vision 2030 Refining challenge goals to make realistic progress Transformational Flight Transformational flight business ramps up with mergers and purchase orders Aerospace Outreach Society and Aerospace Technology A year of space tourism flights, planetary exploration and limited air travel History Recreational space travel and Martian exploration highlight year Read the previous year's stories here.
Structures Achievements include better composite laminate curing using nanotubes and a new integrity sensor
Non-deterministic Approaches From probabilistic machine learning to “look ahead” decision-making in the design of complex engineered systems
Multidisciplinary Design Optimization Researchers pursue design optimization in vehicle development technologies
Atmospheric Flight Mechanics 737 MAX flying again, progress in aircraft flight testing and much activity on Mars
Guidance, Navigation and Control Autonomous operations take the forefront at Mars, in human spaceflight and aerial refueling
Applied Aerodynamics Computations, experiments, flight tests and additive manufacturing improve aerospace platforms
Modeling and Simulation Conducting traffic flow and urban air mobility simulations for future air transportation goals
Ground Testing Facility improvements, return to service and novel testing techniques showcase critical ground testing
Plasmadynamics and Lasers Fundamental advancements in plasmas and lasers propel the future of propulsion and energy
Meshing, Visualization and Computational Environments Software releases, a corporate acquisition and advances in simulation propel meshing forward
Atmospheric and Space Environments Sounding rockets, simulations advance understanding of complex environments
Hypersonic Technologies and Aerospace Planes Influx of private capital marks another potential hypersonic inflection point
Human-Machine Teaming Human-machine teaming involved in current and future challenges on Earth and on Mars
High-Speed Air-Breathing Propulsion Hypersonic flight systems: From research and testing to business analysis
Solid Rockets Launch industry sees a defining year for interceptors, hypersonic boosters and space orbiters
Inlets, Nozzles, and Propulsion Systems Integration New techniques and results enhance physical understanding
Energetic Components and Systems Smart thermites enter the scene; progress seen on thermography for ballistics and electric propulsion for nanosatellites
Propellants and Combustion Testing ways to reduce emissions, increase speeds and create smarter combustion
Space Automation and Robotics Robotic milestones include first controlled powered flight on another planet
Gravity Dependent Science and Technology Technical Committee Steady progress in microgravity research leveraging diverse flight platforms
Aerospace Traffic Management NASA, FAA open discussions on regulating urban air mobility and transiting space vehicle traffic
Society and Aerospace Technology A year of space tourism flights, planetary exploration and limited air travel
