aeronautical / astronautical engineering archive

MIT instrument studies edge of sun's bubble - The Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft have now traveled beyond the edge of the sun's outflow of particles and radiation. Some of the data that reveals this boundary region comes from a set of magnetic field sensors developed and built at MIT back in the 1970s. July 7, 2008

Robert C. Seamans Jr., 89 - Robert C. Seamans Jr., an MIT alumnus who was a leading NASA administrator during the Apollo program, the ninth secretary of the U.S. Air Force and the dean of MIT's School of Engineering from 1978-81, died on June 28. He was 89. June 30, 2008

Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics awards - Awards given in MIT Aeronautics and Astronautics for the academic year 2007-2008. June 4, 2008

NASA selects MIT-led team for search satellite - A planet-searching satellite planned by scientists from MIT, the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and NASA-Ames is one of six proposed spacecraft concepts that NASA has picked for further study as part of its Small Explorer satellite program. June 3, 2008

Measuring a pulsar's smoothness - The team operating the Laser Interferometer Gravity-wave Observatory, including a group from MIT, is reporting this week that the pulsar at the center of the Crab Nebula must have an extremely smooth surface. June 3, 2008

Aero-astro goes to space - When the space shuttle Discovery blasted off for the International Space Station on May 31, most of the MIT aero-astro department was along for the ride -- at least photographically. June 2, 2008

MIT project seeks to arm robotic training with data - MIT researchers are systematically evaluating the effectiveness of tests given to astronauts to teach them how to control the space shuttle's robotic arm. For the first time, they'll determine how those tests relate to the training's outcome. May 28, 2008

Who ya gonna call? Riskbuster! - Whenever something really bad happens in this high-tech world--or whenever someone wants to make sure it doesn't--there's a good chance that someone will be calling Nancy Leveson, MIT professor of aeronautics and astronautics and engineering systems. May 21, 2008

MIT class asks: Fly me to the moon? - An MIT graduate class, aimed at figuring out whether MIT could, or should, mount an entry into the $20-million Google Lunar X-Prize competition announced last fall, has arrived at the bottom line: Yes, we can (technically)! May 21, 2008

Logan to get Lincoln Lab-developed safety system - Next year, Boston's Logan International Airport will become one of the first U.S. airports to deploy Runway Status Lights, a new technology originally developed at MIT Lincoln Laboratory as part of the FAA's continuing program to improve runway safety. May 21, 2008

Record-breaking Daedalus project marks 20th anniversary - Twenty years ago, on April 23, 1988, a team of MIT students, faculty and alumni succeeded in a project to fly a lightweight airplane --completely under human power-- across the Mediterranean, setting aviation records that still stand today. April 22, 2008

MIT aims to search for Earth-like planets - MIT scientists, with Google's help, are designing a satellite-based observatory that could for the first time provide a sensitive survey of the entire sky to search for planets outside the solar system that appear to cross in front of bright stars. March 19, 2008

Experts available to discuss space travel and human exploration of Mars - MIT faculty with expertise in space travel and human exploration of Mars are available for comment to members of the media. March 18, 2008

'Four-winged dinosaur' soars in wind tunnel - MIT Senior Technical Instructor Dick Perdichizzi prepares a lifesize model of a prehistoric four-winged bird-like creature for testing in Aero-Astro's Wright Brothers Wind Tunnel. March 6, 2008

The next-best thing to being on Mars - Two MIT students are currently living, working and communicating with the outside world as if they were on a mission to Mars. Whenever they go outside their small, round habitat, they don spacesuits and pass through an airlock. February 25, 2008

Down to earth: Alumnus returns from space station - Daniel Tani SB '84, SM '88 returned to the Kennedy Space Center aboard space shuttle Atlantis on Feb. 20. Tani spent 120 days in orbit aboard the International Space Station as a member of the Expedition 16 crew. February 22, 2008

MIT to lead development of new moon telescopes - NASA has selected a proposal by an MIT-led team to develop plans for an array of radio telescopes on the far side of the moon that would probe the so-called "Dark Ages," the earliest formation of the basic structures of the universe. February 15, 2008

Mercury rising: New images draw interest - Professor Maria Zuber, head of MIT's Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, addresses a Jan. 30 NASA press conference in which results from the first mission to visit the planet Mercury in 30 years were unveiled. February 1, 2008

Waitz to lead aero-astro department - Ian Waitz, the Jerome C. Hunsaker Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics, has been named the next head of the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, effective February 16. January 11, 2008

Robert Weber, Lincoln Lab physicist, 81 - Physicist and astronomer Robert Weber (S.M. 1959), who worked at Lincoln Laboratory for more than three decades and helped develop a way to detect asteroids that might pose a threat to Earth, died in his home on Jan. 2. He was 81. January 8, 2008

Akiva Yaglom, research fellow, dies at 86 - Akiva Yaglom, a research fellow in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics and an expert in turbulence theory, passed away Dec. 12 following a brief illness. He was 86. December 18, 2007

MIT to lead ambitious lunar mission - MIT will lead a $375 million mission to map the moon's interior and reconstruct its thermal history, NASA announced this week. The Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory mission will be led by MIT professor Maria Zuber and will be launched in 2011. December 14, 2007

MIT instrument surprises at solar system's edge - The Voyager 2 spacecraft's Plasma Science instrument, developed at MIT in the 1970s, has turned up surprising revelations about the the temperature and magnetic field in the boundary zone that marks the edge of the sun's influence in space. December 10, 2007

'New Space' leaders and ex-astronauts to speak at MIT Nov. 9-12 - Anousheh Ansari, who became the world's first privately financed female space explorer when she traveled to the International Space Station last year, will give the kickoff keynote speech Friday, Nov. 9, for the SpaceVision 2007 conference at MIT. November 8, 2007

Crawley, Schindall to direct Gordon-MIT program - MIT Professors Edward F. Crawley and Joel E. Schindall will servie in key positions in the school's new Bernard M. Gordon-MIT Engineering Leadership Program, which aims to create new approaches to prepare students for engineering leadership. November 7, 2007

MIT finishes fourth in DARPA Grand Challenge - MIT's automated Land Rover, packed with computers and electronic sensors, finished fourth in the DARPA Grand Challenge. The MIT vehicle, competing for the first time, was one of only six to complete the challenging 55-mile course. November 5, 2007

MIT's 'robocar' named finalist - Team MIT has made it to the finals of the DARPA Urban Challenge, a competition for cars and trucks that run without human help. The goal of the contest is to develop vehicles that can operate on their own in battle and keep humans out of harm's way. November 1, 2007

Bat and mouse game - An image by MIT researchers, based on a computer model of a bat in flight, won first place in the Informational Graphics category of the 2007 International Science and Technology Visualization Challenge. October 5, 2007

MIT hosts sneak preview of Apollo missions film - Many of the engineers who developed the Apollo guidance system at MIT in the 1960s and 1970s were among the crowd that gathered Sept. 10 on campus for a special sneak preview of the documentary film, "In the Shadow of the Moon." September 18, 2007

Helicopters coming to Briggs Field Sept. 19 - The MIT Army ROTC program, in conjunction with the MIT Flying Club, will sponsor a training event Wednesday, Sept. 19, from noon to 4 p.m. at Briggs Field that will include the take off and landing of two Rhode Island Army National Guard helicopters. September 18, 2007

She makes it look so easy - Professor Dava Newman made headlines around the world this summer after the MIT News Office promoted the sleek new spacesuit she is developing with colleagues in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics. September 12, 2007

Two to share leadership position for faculty equity - Professors Wesley Harris and Barbara Liskov have been selected to share the office of Associate Provost for Faculty Equity. The pair will focus on issues including the recruitment, retention, promotion and career development of minority and women faculty. September 7, 2007

DARPA names MIT's 'robocar' a semifinalist - An MIT vehicle that effectively drives itself has been selected as a semifinalist in this year's DARPA Urban Challenge, a competition for cars and trucks that run without human help. August 9, 2007

MIT team designs sleek, skintight spacesuit - Professor Dava Newman is working on an advanced spacesuit designed to allow superior mobility when humans eventually reach Mars or return to the moon. The prototype BioSuit is not your grandfather's spacesuit--more Spiderman, less John Glenn. July 16, 2007

Hockey outfits go hi-tech with MIT help - Testing done at MIT is helping players in the National Hockey League (NHL) improve their game, and possibly their image. Dr. Kim Blair subjected three prototypes and the old uniform to wind-resistance testing in MIT's powerful wind tunnel. July 2, 2007

Drivers Unwanted: MIT 'Robocar' takes a spin - A team of MIT faculty and researchers are working toward what could be the car of the future: a vehicle that drives itself, with people as passengers. Their vehicle took a driving test last week during a visit by officials from the DARPA Urban Challenge competition. June 28, 2007

Aeronautics and astronautics awards - Recent achievements by members of the MIT community. June 6, 2007

School of Engineering awards - Recent achievements by members of the MIT community. June 6, 2007

Awards and Honors - Recent achievements by members of the MIT community. June 6, 2007

Aero-astro team takes first place in competition - A team of MIT students in aeronautics and astronautics has taken first place in the American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics' annual Design/Build/Fly competition, ending Oklahoma State's three-year reign. May 14, 2007

Aero/astro alum wins Annenberg fellowship - The prestigious Annenberg Fellowship has been awarded for the first time to an MIT graduate, Katonio A. Butler. Butler will spend a year at Eton College, where he will act as an American "ambassador" to the 1,300 students, aged 13 to 18. May 8, 2007

Waitz awarded Hunsaker appointment - Professor Ian Waitz has been named the first Hunsaker Professor of Aeronautics in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Waitz continues Hunsaker's pioneering aviation spirit with his work which relates particularly to environmental issues. May 2, 2007

Engineers create SpaceNet--the supply chain - MIT researchers Olivier L. de Weck and David Simchi-Levi created SpaceNet, a software tool for modeling interplanetary supply chains. The tool is meant to help NASA establish a long-term human presence on the moon. March 19, 2007

High-flying fame for Hoffman - Jeffrey Hoffman, a professor of the practice in MIT's Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, will be inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame on May 5. January 23, 2007

MIT simplifies prediction of complex systems - Taking a cue from the financial world, MIT researchers along with experts in industry and government have developed a list of 13 measures that engineers can use to predict how well a system--or project--will perform before it is even finished. January 19, 2007

Drela elected fellow of AIAA for aircraft design - Mark Drela, the Terry J. Kohler Professor of Fluid Dynamics in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, has been elected a fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. December 29, 2006

Alumnus blasts off - MIT alum Nicholas J.M. Patrick and his six astronaut colleagues were launched aboard Discovery on a mission to the International Space Station on Dec. 9. December 12, 2006

Marshall Scholar focuses on technology, altruism - Graduate student Finale Doshi, a campus leader with an extensive record of service to the Institute and the world, has been awarded a Marshall Scholarship for study at the University of Cambridge for 2007. December 5, 2006

Stephen Madden, retired professor, dies at 70 - Stephen J. Madden, Jr., a retired professor who taught in several MIT departments, died Oct. 7. He was 70. November 17, 2006

Team moves toward silent, eco-friendly plane - MIT and Cambridge University researchers will unveil the conceptual design for a silent, environmentally friendly passenger plane at a press conference Monday, Nov. 6, at the Royal Aeronautical Society in London. November 6, 2006

Mars group launches high-flying fundraiser - Those who cannot afford the million-dollar price tag attached to space tourism will be happy to learn that at least their names--and their logos--will be able to travel into space for a much smaller fee, thanks to a group of MIT students. November 3, 2006

1st alumna walks in space - NASA astronaut Heidemarie M. Stefanyshyn-Piper became the first MIT alumna to walk in space during the recent STS-115 space shuttle mission. October 4, 2006

MIT logs 40 years of flight - NASA astronaut Buzz Aldrin (Sc.D. in aeronautics and astronautics, 1963) became the first MIT graduate to walk in space during the Gemini 12 mission in 1966. October 4, 2006

MIT's intelligent aircraft fly, cooperate autonomously - MIT researchers and collaborators have laid the groundwork for an intelligent airborne fleet of small, unmanned vehicles for military use. The vehicles would require little human supervision and could automatically monitor their condition. September 26, 2006

MIT tool aids cost estimates for complex projects - A new, first-of-its-kind systems engineering cost-estimation model developed by an MIT researcher can ensure that a project bid is right on target, which means risk (and costs) can be reduced. September 19, 2006

Astronaut to give talk on energy and space - Astronaut and MIT alumnus Phil Chapman will give a talk on energy alternatives involving space technology this Wednesday, Aug. 30 in MIT's Ashdown House at 8 p.m. August 30, 2006

Draper selects new president - The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory Inc. has selected James D. Shields, vice president for programs, to be the lab's next president and chief executive officer. July 13, 2006

Aeronautics and astronautics awards - 2006 Awards listings. June 7, 2006

A roar for ROTC - A-10 Thunderbolt II jet fighters, like these shown flying over Arizona, will honor ROTC's annual Tri-Service Pass-In-Review parade with loud, low jet flight over Barry Astroturf field on Friday, April 28 at 10 a.m. April 26, 2006

Mini MIT satellites rocketing to space station - A Russian rocket launched Monday, April 24, is carrying the first of three small, spherical satellites developed at MIT to the International Space Station -- a major step toward building space-based robotic telescopes and other systems. April 25, 2006

MIT makes move toward vehicles that morph - Picture a bird, effortlessly adjusting its wings to catch every current of air. Airplanes that could do the same would have many advantages over today's flying machines, including increased fuel efficiency. March 22, 2006

MIT scientist shares AAAS honor for cooperation - MIT's Paul J. Cefola is one of seven members of a Russian and American team awarded the 2005 International Scientific Cooperation Award by the world's largest general scientific society. February 17, 2006

Sky's no limit for Lemelson winner - The 28-year-old winner of this year's Lemelson-MIT Student Prize, MIT doctoral candidate Carl Dietrich, now has an extra $30,000 to help him get his personal flying machine off the ground. February 15, 2006

Cool research centers on Olympic skates - A pair of MIT students spent the year leading up to the 2006 Winter Olympics testing a new ice skate design that may help Olympic speed skaters break world records someday. February 10, 2006

Challenger anniversary recalls MIT's contributions - This week the world will mark the 20th anniversary of the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger, a disaster felt deeply at MIT, which has a long history of close connections to the space program. January 24, 2006

IAP: Life on Mars could be human, someday - If space is the final frontier, the first step in colonizing it is a one-way trip to Mars for 12 dedicated settlers, said an MIT graduate student who helped conduct an Independent Activities Period overview of the Mars Homestead Project. January 12, 2006

MIT researchers visit Mars on Earth - At 75 degrees north latitude, Devon Island lies high above the Arctic Circle, but not outside the reach of MIT. This past summer, a research team established a semi-permanent shelter there due to its similarity to conditions on Mars. November 16, 2005

Covert to receive one of aviation's highest awards - Professor Emeritus Eugene E. Covert of aeronautics and astronautics is going to receive one of the most prestigious awards in aviation: the Daniel Guggenheim Medal. November 4, 2005

MIT space cameras take first pictures - X-ray cameras designed by MIT astrophysicists are a key component of a new instrument aboard an orbiting Japanese observatory that will probe the secrets of such phenomena as exploding stars and galaxy clusters. October 14, 2005

Awards and Honors - Recent achievements by members of the MIT community. September 28, 2005

Top HS students explore math, space, more - Eighty-eight of the world's top high school students spent six weeks at MIT this summer engaged in advanced research ranging from the mathematics of an Escher painting to a space mission for mice. August 11, 2005

Alumna has right stuff for shuttle flight - Mission Specialist Wendy Lawrence, who received the S.M. degree in ocean engineering from MIT in 1988, began her fourth trip into space aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery on Tuesday, July 26. August 4, 2005

Aeronautics and astronautics awards - 2005 awards listings. June 1, 2005

A taxing time for air travelers, researchers discover - Airline passengers are giving an ever-increasing portion of their travel dollars to Uncle Sam, according to data released by MIT's Global Airline Industry Program and Daniel Webster College. March 11, 2005

Robots serve humans in many settings - There's still a long way to go before today's robots evolve into everyday technologies, but even now, autonomous robotic vehicles are exploring uncharted places, assisting troops in combat and performing household tasks. March 2, 2005

Parachute drop - Freshman Joy Dunn won the first 16.00 (Introduction to Aerospace) aerodynamic decelerator design contest on Feb. 8. February 9, 2005

Mystery for aero/astro engineers - Every January for the past four years, Brian Nield (S.B. 1978) of Boeing has assembled a group of hard-working students to spend three days investigating the cause of a fictitious accident. February 2, 2005

Firing on all cylinders - Each January for an IAP activity, students design and construct rocket engines using liquid oxygen as an oxidizer and kerosene for fuel February 2, 2005

Professorship to honor Challenger astronaut - To honor the memory of MIT alumnus Ronald E. McNair, an astronaut who was killed in the tragic explosion of the Challenger space shuttle in 1986, NASA and MIT have established a teaching and research position in his name. January 27, 2005

Students await weightlessness - Four students from MIT have been chosen by NASA to conduct research while floating aboard the agency's famous "Weightless Wonder" aircraft. January 18, 2005

Quieter, cleaner airplane landings on the way - An experimental procedure designed by an MIT team that substantially reduces the noise of descending aircraft is one step closer to availability for commercial air carriers. January 13, 2005

Columbia Group dives into safety issues - A multidisciplinary MIT group formed last year to explore safety culture questions surrounding the Columbia Space Shuttle accident, has since created several related intellectual products illustrating its commitment to interdisciplinary collaborations. November 3, 2004

Plane speaking - Aeronautics researchers at MIT have developed a manned-to-unmanned aircraft guidance system that allows a pilot in one plane to guide another unmanned airplane by speaking commands in English. November 2, 2004

The Game trims fat from supply chain - MIT's Lean Aerospace Initiative members and partners huddled with Textron Systems last summer to develop a fresh approach to understanding and improving the production of Sensor Fuzed Weapons, a Textron product sold to the U.S. Air Force. October 28, 2004

Team to test interplanetary laser link - A NASA-MIT team is working to forge the first laser communication link between Mars and Earth, in an effort to benefit the transmission of data from robotic spacecraft. August 6, 2004

Hastings is new head of ESD - Daniel Hastings, professor of aeronautics and astronautics and engineering systems, has been named director of the Engineering Systems Division as of July 1. July 15, 2004

Airlines exaggerate taxes - Although recent statements by senior airline executives claim airline ticket taxes are as high as 26 percent, MIT researchers conclude that ticket taxes add about 15 percent to the average domestic airfare. June 18, 2004

Aero/astro honor society resurrected - Two seniors in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics have reactivated the Institute's chapter of Sigma Gamma Tau, the national academic honors society for students of aeronautics and astronautics. June 2, 2004

Aeronautics and astronautics - 2004 awards listings. June 2, 2004

Team cuts airplane noise - Most attempts to reduce the noise associated with landing aircraft are expensive -- but now, an MIT-developed procedure is reducing the noise while also cutting costs. May 5, 2004

Team cuts airplane noise - Most attempts to reduce the noise associated with landing aircraft are expensive -- but now, a MIT-developed procedure is reducing the noise while also cutting costs. April 30, 2004

Alumnus Fincke blasts off - Spending six months away from home is a challenge for any family man, but spending that time away from the planet is tougher yet--even for an MIT graduate. April 28, 2004

Alumnus blasts off - Spending six months away from the family is a challenge for any family man, but spending that time away from the planet is tougher yet. April 16, 2004

Consider one-way Mars mission, Gavin says - Alumnus Joe Gavin discusses his proposed one-way manned mission to Mars. April 14, 2004

Response to Bush Mars plan - President Bush's Jan. 14 announcement of a new NASA initiative for sending humans to Mars via a moon base sent reporters scurrying for experts who could comment on the feasibility of such a plan. January 28, 2004

Of Mars and men - Students and researchers at MIT are designing a space mission to learn about the effects of Mars-level gravity using pint-sized astronauts. January 14, 2004

Of Mars and men - Students and researchers at MIT are designing a space mission to learn about the effects of Mars-level gravity using pint-sized astronauts. January 9, 2004

Tragedy can teach engineers - One of the lessons from the Columbia shuttle accident last February is that engineers should take more responsibility for system-level issues, says an MIT professor. November 19, 2003

Tragedy can teach engineers - One of the lessons from the Columbia shuttle accident last February is that engineers should take more responsibility for system-level issues, says an MIT professor. November 13, 2003

Students with astronauts - Live on a big screen in Building 9, International Space Station astronauts Ed Lu and Yuri Malenchenko answered questions from MIT students. October 1, 2003

MIT leads new aviation center - MIT will lead a new partnership with members from academia, industry and government to identify solutions for present and future aircraft noise and emissions-related problems. September 25, 2003

MIT has major roles in Columbia investigation - MIT researchers played significant roles in the investigation of the space shuttle Columbia accident, by conducting research that gave insights into exactly what happened. August 29, 2003

Harris to head aero/astro - Professor Wesley L. Harris, who served as associate administrator for aeronautics at NASA, has been named head of the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics as of July 1. May 14, 2003

Competition goes to the Dogs - This year's aero/astro's unified aerial competition took place at the Johnson Athletic Center's indoor track, proving to be the perfect spot for the event. May 7, 2003

Widnall appointed to accident board - Professor Sheila E. Widnall, an expert in aerodynamics and fluid mechanics, has been appointed to NASA's Columbia Accident Investigation Board. February 18, 2003

Briefly - Hoffman anticipates delay in International Space Station; Postdoc wins '1,000th-paper sweepstakes' in Wurtman lab. February 12, 2003

Shuttle tragedy hits home -  As the nation mourned the deaths of seven astronauts in Saturday's space shuttle disaster, MIT experts reflected on the science, engineering and humanity behind the loss. February 5, 2003

Quotes - Quotes from faculty and students concerning the Columbia tragedy. February 5, 2003

Eager to fly in space - Though the Columbia tragedy hammered home the dangers of space travel, MIT students in aeronautics and astronautics remain enthusiastic about America's space program. February 5, 2003

Experts reflect on shuttle tragedy - MIT experts reflected on the science, engineering and humanity behind the loss. February 3, 2003

Thermal tiles or flight control system and shuttle disaster - An MIT professor speculated that the space shuttle Columbia broke apart upon re-entry because of a malfunction of the vehicle's flight control system or a problem with the tiles that coat the shuttle. February 1, 2003

Return to space - NASA astronaut Pamela Melroy (S.M. 1984) leads the crew of the Atlantis space shuttle mission STS-112 out to the launch pad on Oct. 7. October 30, 2002

Mars travel explored - Nearly 80 students and professionals interested in learning the latest in Mars-related research attended the fourth annualMIT Mars Week. October 9, 2002

MIT's robotic helicopter performs new stunt - A team of MIT researchers looked on recently as the pilot of their model X-Cell 60 helicopter flipped a switch on a remote control box. October 9, 2002

MIT's robotic 'copter - A team of MIT researchers looked on recently as the pilot of their model X-Cell 60 helicopter flipped a switch on a remote control box and executed a complex maneuver. October 4, 2002

Astronomers identify Apollo stage - Astronomers at MIT played a key role last week in identifying a near-Earth object as most likely the third stage of an Apollo-era moon rocket. September 25, 2002

Sally Ride at MIT event - America's first woman astronaut, Dr. Sally Ride, encouraged fifth- to eighth-grade girls and their parents to "Reach for the Stars." September 25, 2002

Aero/astro honors 23 - Twenty-three students and faculty were honored for their accomplishments in aeronautics and astronautics over the past year at a departmental dinner on May 10. June 5, 2002

Nightingale to co-direct - The new co-director of the Lean Aerospace Initiative hopes to spread lean principles and practices to the entire aerospace industry through the group's new book. May 8, 2002

Hoffman describes space flight - Jeffrey A. Hoffman, a former astronaut, described the experience of space flight to an MIT audience at last week's annual Massachusetts Space Grant Consortium lecture. May 8, 2002

Launch planned for 2004 - Several students recently vied for and won the opportunity to design and carry out a small space mission using pint-sized astronauts at a proposed price tag of $10 million. April 10, 2002

New software helps airlines save money - New scheduling software being adopted by United Airlines could save the company as much as $25 million annually, said researchers from MIT and the University of Florida. April 3, 2002

Hoffman returns to MIT - After performing five space missions as a NASA astronaut, Jeffrey A. Hoffman has returned to MIT as a senior lecturer in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics. March 13, 2002

MIT helicopter makes first acrobatic roll - MIT researchers are creating the world's first acrobatic robotic bird. February 1, 2002

MIT researcher on Pluto mission - NASA has chosen a research team that includes an MIT scientist to pursue a possible 2006 mission to Pluto and the Kuiper Belt. December 4, 2001

Aerospace corp. join Air Force-MIT - Two aerospace industry leaders have joined the Air Force-MIT LSI, a move that signals new industry commitment to streamlining the Air Force's $5.3 billion dollar MRO. November 1, 2001

Air pollution on high - MIT researchers and colleagues are developing a computer model to assess the effects of alternate technology and policy options on aviation-related emissions. August 29, 2001

Aero/astro awards 26 - Twenty-six students and faculty members were honored for their accomplishments by the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at the department's senior recognition dinner on May 14. June 6, 2001

Students vie for flight title - Student teams in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics' Introduction to Aerospace Engineering Design courses (otherwise known as Unified Engineering) recently tested their final projects. May 16, 2001

Alum completes space expedition - US Navy Captain and MIT alumnus William M. Shepherd recently completed his historical role as commander of the first International Space Station (ISS) Expedition 1 crew. May 2, 2001

Young recalls motivations - Professor Laurence Young, the Apollo Program Professor of Astronautics, described himself as "one of the first real space cadets" in his talk to a small group of students who gathered last week to mark "Yuri's Night," the 40th anniversary of the first human space flight by Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin. April 25, 2001

Engine unveiled - A donated CFM-56 airplane engine is unveiled at a March 31 ceremony in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics. April 11, 2001

Students celebrate 1st flight - Forty years ago tomorrow -- on April 12, 1961 -- Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin blasted off in Vostok 1 on a mission that would change the world. April 11, 2001