Aero News Archive
Aerospace's Emily Wolf honored with Achieving Women Award
6/2/13
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Emily Wolf, an aerospace engineering senior, was named the undergraduate student recipient of the 2013 Commission for Women (CFW) Achieving Women Award on April 26. One of her nominators said, "Emily has tirelessly demonstrated extraordinary leadership, dynamic public service and dedicated citizenship in her selfless pursuit to attract and retain women in non-traditional STEM [science, technology, engineering and mathematics] professions."
PSU Newswire: NASA selects Penn State nanosatellite for launch
5/2/13
Student project to study space weather's impact on communications networks, Aerospace engineering senior Andre Coleman Jr. serves as the thermal subsystems lead for the Penn State OSIRIS nanosatellite mission, slated to be launched by NASA between 2014 and 2016.
College to honor Dr. Levin at awards ceremony
4/2/13
Congratulations to Prof. Deborah Levin, 2013 recipient of the Penn State Engineering Alumni Society Premier Research Award. She is the sole winner of this year's award from the College of Engineering. Article in Engineering news
Dr. Smith to receive President’s Award for Engagement With Students
4/2/13
Dr. Edward Smith, professor of aerospace engineering in the College of Engineering, has received the 2013 President’s Award for Engagement With Students. The award is given to a faculty member who goes beyond his or her responsibilities to engage and encourage students in learning. Via Penn State Newswire.
Reception at AIAA 51st Aerospace Sciences Meeting
1/11/13
Annual Aerospace Alumni Reception
Monday, January 7, 2013 7:00 p.m.
Pecos 2 Ballroom Gaylord Resort & Convention Center.
Penn State Aerospace Engineering Reception
12/11/12
Thursday, December 6, 2012
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Join us for an enjoyable evening with fellow Penn Staters. Hear about Aerospace Engineering activities at Dear Old State from the department head George Lesieutre, other faculty members, and students. River’s Edge Catering & Conference Center – Ballroom 1
46870 Tate Road, Patuxent River, MD 20670, Driving Directions to Pax River HERE, A map to the Conference Center can be found HERE
AIAA Student Conference
4/24/12
University Park, PA - The AIAA student chapter at the Pennsylvania State University is excited to present the annual Region I-MA Student Paper Conference. This conference is hosted to showcase the research conducted by the brightest Aerospace students from mid-Atlantic colleges and universities, as they compete for prizes and the chance to present at a national AIAA conference.
Thon 2012
4/4/12
University Park, PA - The 46-hour Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON) once again has set a new record, raising $10,686,924.83 for the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital, surpassing last year's record $9.56 million .... More than 15,000 students participated in making THON 2012 happen – from more than 700 dancers who spent the entire weekend on their feet, to the thousands of students who helped them raise funds throughout the year, and thousands more who are volunteering during THON weekend to boost dancers' morale, keep them fed and entertained, make sure they stay safe and share the THON experience around the world via streaming video.
Prof. Langelaan part of team receiving NASA's Historic Green Aviation Prize
2/28/12
NASA has awarded the largest prize in aviation history, created to inspire the development of more fuel-efficient aircraft and spark the start of a new electric airplane industry ... "Two years ago the thought of flying 200 miles at 100 mph in an electric aircraft was pure science fiction," said Jack W. Langelaan, team leader of Team Pipistrel-USA.com. "Now, we are all looking forward to the future of electric aviation." ...
Alumni Reception
1/10/121
50th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting, Nashville, TN
Gaylord Opryland Hotel, Monday, January 9th
7:00pm, Room location - Lincoln A
Penn State identified as the number one choice for companies hiring Aerospace & Defense Engineers
10/4/11
New York, NY - Aviation Week's highly regarded Workforce Study, the industry's official report and a mainstay for A & D planning and trend analysis since 1997, identifies trends in technological challenges, leadership, demographics and compensation, ranking the top universities for A & D recruitment, with Penn State at the top for engineering schools ...
Wind Turbine Installed at Penn State's Center for Sustainability
10/4/11
University Park, Pa. -- “Wind energy is a very exciting topic to our youth and it provides many interesting opportunities to educate in a wide variety of disciplines that often spur interest in STEM areas,” said Susan Stewart, research associate in aerospace engineering and architectural engineering at Penn State and Director of the Pennsylvania Wind for Schools program ...
AIAA FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES GRADUATE AWARD WINNERS
8/30/11
Each year the AIAA Foundation presents the Orville and Wilbur Wright Graduate Awards. These $10,000 awards, given in memory of the Wright brothers’ contributions to the evolution of flight, are presented to students completing master’s degree or doctoral thesis work. Four of the twelve winners are current or former students of our department.
44th Annual Comprehensive Short Course in Rotary Wing Technology: August 15-19, 2011
8/22/11
More comprehensive than ever, this five-day course is designed for engineers. Lecturers who are recognized as leaders in the field will cover a variety of topics.
Wind Energy Engineering Short Course August 1-4, 2011
8/3/11
Participants will get a comprehensive, engineering overview of wind energy systems and technology issues. Classroom lectures will be supplemented with a tour of a wind energy facility. Instructors are experienced wind energy faculty from Penn State’s Aerospace, Civil, and Mechanical Engineering Departments as well as from the Meteorology and Energy Business & Finance Departments.
The President discusses Wind Energy on Penn State Campus
7/11/11
UNIVERSITY PARK -- President Barack Obama visited Penn State's University Park campus on Wednesday, Feb.3. He and Energy Secretary Chu spoke with Professor Jim Freihaut (AE). The wind turbine display behind them is a project of Aerospace department faculty Dr. Susan Stewart and Dr. Dennis McLaughlin. Obama said, "What this University is going to do ... is lead a modern-day incubator for what sets us apart and that is the American ideal ... I’m confident that America will win the future in this century, just like we did in the last."
Pentagon supports PSU studies
7/11/11
WASHINGTON — If a helicopter’s rotors are spinning and its landing skids are on the ground, it starts to rock. Soon, it’ll rock violently enough that it topples over and self-destructs — there are plenty of demonstrations on YouTube.
Chandrashekhar Tiwari wins the prestigious Orville and Wilbur Wright graduate award from AIAA
7/8/11
The AIAA Foundation Orville and Wilbur Wright Graduate Awards have been established in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of powered flight. The Awards recognize the Wright brother’s aeronautical achievements and contributions to the evolution of flight. The award is bestowed annually to four graduate-level students participating in research endeavors as part of their engineering/science graduate studies.
Ward wins best senior thesis award in aerospace engineering
7/8/11
Evan Ward has been selected as the recipient of this year's Anthony E. Wolk Senior Thesis Award at Penn State. The award, named in honor and memory of Anthony Wolk, a 1956 aerospace engineering alumnus, is given to the author of the best aerospace engineering senior thesis, as determined by faculty members in the department. Ward's thesis is titled "The Nonlinear Propagation of Waves Through a Turbulent Atmosphere."
Prof. Sven Schmitz has an article online in Media Solutions June 2011
6/8/11
Jobs in wind energy have been and are currently out there. The wind industry, though, is challenged with filling open positions with qualified candidates that received at least some education in wind energy.
Prof. Sven Schmitz has an article online in Media Solutions May 2011
6/7/11
"The Wind Industry Faces a number of challenges in developing wind farms, both onshore and offshore. . . "
Lab focuses on new technology to prevent icing on planes, helicopters
6/7/11
“A little rain or fog may seem like an insignificant threat to a helicopter or airplane. But minor clouds and precipitation can be the cause of cancelled flights—or fatalities....”
Prof. Sven Schmitz has an article online in Media Solutions April 2011
4/29/11
The potential benefits of an offshore wind deployment in the United States are manifold. It is well known that offshore winds are stronger and more consistent than onshore winds, leading to increased capacity factors compared to onshore wind power production. ... "
Best Paper Award, 2011: Dr. Bilen and Jesse McTernan
3/10/11
at the 11th Spacecraft Charging Technology Conference
Welcome Dr. Susan Stewart
3/10/11
Dr. Stewart will divide her time between the Departments of Architectural Engineering (Center for Sustainability) and Aerospace Engineering. The Aerospace Engineering component is focused on the DOE-funded Wind Workforce Development project, and may include other initiatives. Dr. Stewart was instrumental in having Penn State named the DOE Wind Applications Center for Pennsylvania, and is the director of our NREL-funded Wind for Schools K-12 outreach program. She was the co-organizer (with Dr. Sven Schmitz) of a successful wind energy short course recently developed for Gamesa.
Prof. Sven Schmitz has an article online in Media Solutions
2/14/11
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Penn State offers an emerging educational and research program in wind energy, and it is aiming to become a major contributor to research excellent in the U.S. wind Industry.
... "AIAA Alums invited to reception in Florida at the AIAA meeting
1/5/11
Alums: 49th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting in Orlando, Florida, January 2011
First Place Winners from the Aerospace Engineering
12/15/10
Project: Bell – Helicopter Blade Noise Reduction
Congratulations to First Place Winners from the Aerospace Engineering Department
Sponsor: Ryan Ehinger, Students: Daniel Anderson, Kyle McCausland, Robert McCutcheon, Mason Thompson, William Ripley, Nicholas Grande, Instructor: Leland Engel, ME
Morris and Long selected to recieve AIAA Sustained Service awards
11/16/10
Dr. Philip Morris has been selected to receive an AIAA Sustained Service Award
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) has honored Dr. Morris for more than 30 years of service to AIAA as an author and associate editor, as a conference chair and organizer, and as a technical committee chair. The award is presented to recognize sustained, significant service and contributions to the AIAA by members of the Institute.
Dr. Lyle N. Long recieves an AIAA Sustained Service Award
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) has honored Dr. Lyle N. Long for dedicated efforts in creating the JACIC Journal, numerous publications and service on technical committees.
Penn State is Number one with Recruiters
11/5/10
A Wall Street Journal study of nearly 500 recruiters from some of the biggest U.S. employers revealed that Penn State grads were the No. 1 choice to hire.
Read Wall Street Journal Article
Read article in AlumnInsider
Dr. Robert Melton selected for 2011 Faculty Advisor Award
11/5/10
Congratulations to Prof. Bob Melton, who has been selected to receive the 2011 Faculty Advisor Award from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). He will receive it at the AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting awards luncheon in January.
Dr. Sven Schmitz
11/5/10
We would like to welcome Dr. Sven Schmitz to the Aerospace Engineering Department as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Schmitz comes to Penn State from the University of California Davis and will emphasize the area of wind energy.
Aerospace Homecoming Open House – Thanks to all who joined us
10/11/10
We had a great time at our Homecoming Open House.
DATE: Friday, October 8
TIME: 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Aerospace Engineering main office
Comprehensive Short Course in Rotary Wing Technology
August 16-20, 2010
Dr. McCormick is well-known for his two textbooks, Aerodynamics of V/STOL Flight and Aerodynamics, Aeronautics, and Flight Mechanics. He is a former technical director and editor of the Journal of the American Helicopter Society, and past vice president of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) for education. Dr. McCormick has consulted for many companies and federal organizations and has served on advisory panels to the U.S. House of Representatives and the Commanding General of the Army's Aviation Systems Command. He was chief of aerodynamics for Vertol when their Model 107, which became the venerable CH-46, first flew.
Gandhi and Bilen named AIAA Associate Fellows
01/21/2010
Farhan Gandhi, professor of aerospace engineering; and Sven Bilen, associate professor of engineering design, aerospace engineering and electrical engineering; have been selected as associate fellows by the Associate Fellows Upgrade Committee of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA).
To be selected for the grade of associate fellow, an individual must be an AIAA senior member with at least 12 years professional experience in their field and have been recommended by a minimum of three AIAA members who are already associate fellows or fellows.
Bilen and Gandhi were honored at the AIAA Associate Fellows Dinner on Jan. 4, at the Orlando World Center Marriott, in Orlando, Fla., as part of the 48th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting. They were among the 195 AIAA members selected to become associate fellows in 2010.
AIAA is the world's largest technical society dedicated to the global aerospace profession. With more than 35,000 individual members worldwide, and 90 corporate members, AIAA brings together industry, academia and government to advance engineering and science in aviation, space and defense
AIAA ANNOUNCES 2010 BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION RESULTS
04/16/2010
April 16, 2010 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is pleased to announce the results of its 2010 Board of Directors election. The newly elected board members will begin their term of office on May 13. Incoming President Mark Lewis will be succeeded next year by President-Elect Brian Dailey.
The newly elected officers and directors are:
President-Elect
– Brian Dailey, Lockheed Martin Corporation (Retired)
Vice President-Elect – Member Services
– Merri Sanchez, NASA liaison, U.S. Air Force Space Command
Vice President-Elect – Technical Activities
– Basil Hassan, Sandia National Laboratories
Director – At-Large
– George Lesieutre, The Pennsylvania State University
Director – International
– Shamim Rahman, NASA John C. Stennis Space Center
Director – Technical, Information Systems Group
– James Neidhoefer, Aerotonomy, Inc.
Director – Technical, Propulsion and Energy Group
– Ashwani Gupta, University of Maryland
Director – Region 4
– James Walker, Southwest Research Institute
Director – Region 5
– Laura Richard, United Launch Alliance
Director – Region 7
– Juergen Quest, European Transonic Windtunnel
In addition, the president of AIAA will appoint Mr. Darin Haudrich, of Boeing Defense, Space and Security, to a three-year term as Young Professional Liaison.
AIAA is the world’s largest technical society dedicated to the global aerospace profession. With more than 35,000 individual members worldwide, and 90 corporate members, AIAA brings together industry, academia, and government to advance engineering and science in aviation, space, and defense. For more information, visit www.aiaa.org.
McLaughlin wins 2010 AIAA Aeroacoustics Award
03/25/2010
Dennis McLaughlin has just learned of his selection as the recipient of the 2010 AIAA Aeroacoustics Award.
The citation reads "For pioneering contributions in experimental aeroacoustics, particularly measurements of noise generated by large-scale structures in supersonic jets, and for leadership in aerospace engineering education."
He will receive the award during the dinner at the Vasa museum to be held in conjunction with the 16th AIAA/CEAS Aeroacoustics Conference 7-9 June 2010 in Stockholm, Sweden.
Please join me in congratulating Dennis!
Dr. Jack Langelaan wins NSF CAREER award
6/23/2008
The National Science Foundation had awarded Dr. Jack Langelaan of Penn State's Aerospace Engineering Department, a Career award to study the Theory and Practice of Autonomous Soaring for Aerial Robots (UAVs).
The five year project will study small and mini uninhabited aerial vehicles (UAVs) that are ideal for many missions which are too risky or infeasible for larger vehicles. However, small size results in performance limitations: there is reduced capacity for on-board energy storage and sensing payload, and viscous forces are a large contributor to drag, making design of efficient vehicles difficult. Birds and insects are faced with similar problems, and they have evolved flight strategies to overcome the challenges associated with small size. This research aims to develop planning and control algorithms that will enable small and mini UAVs to extract energy from the surrounding atmosphere: like birds and human glider pilots, they will be able to soar. There are three aims: (1) the development of planning algorithms that can account for the complex effects of vehicle kinematics/dynamics and environmental factors such as wind on the feasibility and costs of a trajectory; (2) the development of a vehicle that uses intelligent planning and control algorithms to overcome the challenges associated with its physical constraints; (3) enabling novel science missions. Further, the planning techniques developed here will be applicable to other instances of robot planning under complex dynamic and environmental conditions. The ultimate goal of this research is to enable a robotic aircraft to track a migrating raptor over extended distances and time. Recognizing that this is an ambitious goal, requiring advances in other areas of robotics research as well as intelligent planning and control, this research identifies several science missions that are enabled in the short and medium term by a soaring-capable mini-UAV. These science missions will be undertaken in collaboration with researchers at Penn State's meteorology department and researchers at the Acopian Center for Conservation Learning at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary.
http://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward.do?AwardNumber=0746655