Aerospace vehicle aerodynamics investigates the fluid dynamic and aerothermodynamic behavior of aircraft, rotorcraft, missiles, and high-speed vehicles across subsonic to hypersonic regimes. The field integrates wind tunnel and flight testing, high-fidelity simulation, and advanced diagnostics to understand lift, drag, noise generation, heat transfer, and combustion phenomena. Applications span laminar flow control, aeroelastic load management, turbine and duct optimization, quiet supersonic transport, and propulsion–airframe integration, supporting the design and validation of efficient, safe, and low-noise aerospace systems.
Engineering
By exploiting the quirks of human vision, Northwestern University engineers have designed a drone that nearly disappears before the eyes. For years, researchers have tried to design invisible drones and robots using camouflage, ...
17 hours ago
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Automotive
Testing new aerospace concepts in flight remains one of NASA's most effective ways to advance knowledge and reduce risk.
20 hours ago
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3
Engineering
Using bird bone structure as inspiration, Xin Ning and Sepideh Ebad Sichani, Ph.D. '26, have created a new class of aircraft wing structures—unbound by traditional designs of ribs, spars and stiffeners. The researchers are ...
Jul 15, 2026
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Automotive
No one wants to get into an uncomfortable aircraft. NASA research could help the emerging industry of air taxis—small, vertical-takeoff-and-landing aircraft meant for short trips—understand the relationship between comfort ...
Jul 14, 2026
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Engineering
As data centers and crypto-mining facilities expand to handle growing digital demands, keeping massive banks of servers cool has become a primary operational challenge. To address the energy inefficiencies plaguing these ...
Jul 13, 2026
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3
Engineering
A bio-inspired robotic bird capable of mimicking the key movements of kestrels is helping researchers unravel the mysteries behind the species' exceptional hovering capabilities.
Jun 29, 2026
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17
Engineering
Perforated landing pads could significantly reduce the noise of delivery drones and electric aircraft during takeoff and landing, new research by the University of Bristol has found. As electric air taxis move from the realm ...
Jun 24, 2026
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3
Robotics
A bird bursting from the ocean or a mobula ray launching skyward makes the transition from water to air look effortless. For unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, it's one of the hardest maneuvers to ...
Jun 15, 2026
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4
Engineering
Wind shear, a sudden change in wind speed or direction, is a major cause of aviation incidents; it was responsible for 18% of aviation accidents in 2022. Predicting wind shear events is a priority for aviation safety because ...
Jun 9, 2026
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6
Automotive
On June 5, 2026, NASA's experimental X-59 aircraft flew faster than the speed of sound for the first time, setting the stage for demonstrating its quiet supersonic capabilities later this year.
Jun 8, 2026
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