July 30 virtual event highlights future lunar and deep space missions, the technologies to get there, and U-M’s research contributions to space exploration.
Research
Apollo 15 at 50: A celebration of the all-Michigan crew’s mission and the future of space exploration
Bird-like wings could help drones keep stable in gusts
“3D morphing” wings could help small aircraft safely navigate windy urban streets and land with shorter approaches.
Testing advanced space engines here on Earth
U-M is a member of a new $15M institute to improve physics-based modeling of advanced thrusters for human space exploration.
Michigan on team selected for $15M NASA institute to investigate testing of advanced propulsion concepts
The NASA Space Technology Mission Directorate has selected the Joint Advanced Propulsion Institute (JANUS) to explore high power electric propulsion systems for human exploration. Michigan Aerospace alumnus Mitchell Walker of the Georgia Institute of Technology will be the principal investigator and director. U-M Assistant Professor Benjamin Jorns will serve as co-director.
Undergraduate research team develops [medical drone] UAV despite pandemic restrictions
In spite of research shutdowns due to COVID and subsequent laboratory restrictions, a team of University of Michigan aerospace undergraduate students, under the direction of Department Chair Tony Waas, and Dr. Tim Smith, have designed, built, and are currently testing a prototype UAV for use delivering essential medical supplies to remote communities in Ghana.
Streamlining aircraft
Joaquim Martins pioneers high-fidelity simulations that bring together multiple disciplines. Recently incorporated into NASA’s open-source software, and being considered for adoption by aircraft manufacturers, the approach has the potential to change the game in aircraft design and other engineering systems.
$12.75M for reliable hypersonic engines and artificial photosynthesis
Two U-M led projects are funded by the Department of Defense.
Model developed at U-M is adopted in the aerospace and automotive industries
When making and breaking a single prototype airplane component can cost a million dollars, a reliable computer model enables engineers to explore more designs.
Professor Cesnik selected to participate in NASA’s University Leadership Initiative to advance hypersonic flight
U-M Aerospace congratulates Professor Cesnik on being selected to work for NASA’s University Leadership Initiative.
The future of autonomous aircraft
Imagine a world of aerial delivery drones bringing goods right to your door or sixth-generation fighter aircraft patrolling battle zones – all without the intervention or even supervision of a human pilot. We recently caught up with Professor Ella Atkins, the director of U-M’s Autonomous Aerospace Systems (A2SYS) Lab, and asked her about autonomous flight systems and its implications.
Associate Professor of Aerospace Engineering, Dr. James Cutler discusses CubeSats and how spacecraft the size of a loaf of bread are revolutionizing space technology and exploration
Dr. James Cutler discusses CubeSats and the role of U-M in their development.
Dr. Venkat Raman on the Rotating Detonation Engine, the frightening-sounding technology of tomorrow
Rotating Detonation Engine (RDE) is about the scariest name a technology can have, but it also has the promise of overcoming one of the great problems of modern aerospace engineering. Conventional propulsion systems for aircraft, missiles, and rockets are all very close to their theoretical limits, with very little wiggle room left for getting much […]
Aerospace undergrads develop unmanned VTOL aircraft for delivering medical supplies to rural Ghana
Under the direction of Department Chair Dr. Tony Waas, a group of Michigan Aerospace undergraduates are developing a prototype vertical take-off and landing aircraft to transport medical supplies to remote communities in Ghana.
All masks are not created equal
Michigan Engineers test to evaluate safety.
Dr. Benjamin Jorns co-author on the 2019 AIAA Electric Propulsion Best Paper Award
University of Michigan Department of Aerospace Engineering Assistant Professor Benjamin Jorns is co-author on the “Best Paper in Electric Propulsion” from the 2019 AIAA Propulsion and Energy Forum.
Flexible wings, COVID-19, and the future of commercial aviation
At the June 2017 Paris Airshow, Airbus entered into a five-year agreement with the University of Michigan Aerospace Engineering department to establish and fund, to the tune of $8.25 million, a new research center. Called the Airbus-University of Michigan Center for Aero-Servo-Elasticity of Very Flexible Aircraft, its purpose is to engage in fundamental research, focusing on advanced methodologies for designing and evaluating future aircraft. We recently caught up with the Center’s director, Dr. Carlos Cesnik, and asked him about the work being done there, the aircraft of the future, and the impact of the recent COVID-19 crisis on the aerospace industry.
