University of Michigan Aerospace Engineering

10/23/2026

At Michigan Aerospace’s 2026 Homecoming event, various students were presented with awards and scholarships, honoring their academic achievements and excellence in the aerospace engineering industry. Thanks to our generous donors, alumni and supporters of the U-M Aerospace Engineering Department, we were proud to recognize these students for their hard work and dedication.

Aerospace Engineering Centennial Scholarship:
- Vikram Pradeep
- A***n Mane
- Ian Cox
- Julia Miller
- Alexander Kripfgans
- Brendan Goll
- Max DeMarco
- Sujood Abdelhameed
- Tate Machado

The Martin & Anne Sichel Award:
- Tony Jannette and Marloes Van Der Zwart

The Luis Bernal Award:
- Ashley Aronson

The Isaac, Vera, Gayle, Karen, and Carol Bagley Award:
- Aditi Kamath

The William W. Willmarth Prize:
- William Hurley

The Karen Anne Bagley Albrecht Scholarship Award:
- Ethan King

Congratulations again to all of these students! Read more about each of these awards here: https://aero.engin.umich.edu/2026/10/20/students-recognized-with-scholarship-awards-for-academic-excellence/

Homecoming event celebrates students and their academic achievements

10/22/2026

Congratulations to Mitchell L.R. Walker II, a three-time U-M Aerospace Engineering graduate and dean and Southern Company Chair of the College of Engineering at Georgia Tech, on receiving the U-M Aerospace Engineering Department’s 2026 Alumni Merit Award!

Since joining Georgia Tech in 2005, Walker has built a distinguished career in space propulsion research, education, and academic leadership. From directing advanced propulsion research to leading Georgia Tech’s College of Engineering, his career reflects the impact of a strong engineering foundation and a commitment to helping others succeed.

Read more about Walker’s journey and the people who helped shape his career here: https://aero.engin.umich.edu/2026/10/21/aerospace-engineerings-2026-alumni-merit-award-recipient-mitchell-l-r-walker-ii-ph-d/

Three-time U-M Aerospace Engineering graduate and Georgia Tech College of Engineering Dean recognized at U-M Homecoming event

10/19/2026

For this week's Chairs Distinguished Lecture, we are thrilled to welcome Aaron Tucker from the Air Force Research Laboratory, who will present his talk, "Win the Future in Air, Space, and Cyberspace."

📅 Thursday, October 22, 2026
⏰ 3:00 p.m.
💻 Zoom: https://umich.zoom.us/j/93590071072
🔑 Email [email protected] for meeting passcode

10/19/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us in the FXB Atrium last Friday for our Homecoming celebration! It was a pleasure to welcome our students, faculty, staff, and alumni as we celebrated the University of Michigan Aerospace Engineering community and the people who continue to shape its impact, both on campus and beyond.

10/15/2026

This year, the U-M Department of Aerospace Engineering is proud to celebrate Kiko Dontchev, the Vice President of Launch at SpaceX, as the 2026 Alumni Medal Award recipient.

Each year, the College of Engineering recognizes one outstanding alumnus with this award to celebrate extraordinary professional achievement and contributions that bring distinction to Michigan Engineering.

Throughout his career, Dontchev has combined technical expertise with operational leadership, helping shape some of the most significant advancements in modern spaceflight while remaining deeply connected to the Michigan Aerospace community.

Read more about his work and his time at the University of Michigan here: https://aero.engin.umich.edu/2026/10/14/kiko-dontchev-honored-with-college-of-engineering-alumni-medal-award/

SpaceX Vice President of Launch and U-M Aerospace Engineering alumnus receives highest alumni honor

10/15/2026

Congratulations to U-M Aerospace Associate Professor Ricardo Vinuesa, who is helping lead a new $20 million NSF-funded effort through the AI Institute in Dynamic Systems. The national collaboration brings together academic and industry partners to advance AI-driven engineering and develop new ways to model and simulate complex systems.

Read more: https://aero.engin.umich.edu/2026/10/13/ricardo-vinuesa-co-leads-a-20m-nsf-funded-ai-research-initiative/

The UW-led, NSF-funded AI Institute in Dynamic Systems discovers new ways to model and simulate complex, real-world problems.

10/15/2026

Homecoming is just a day away! Join the U-M Aerospace Engineering community for coffee and dessert in the FXB Atrium following the College of Engineering's annual Homecoming Luncheon.

The reception will feature light refreshments, as well as the chance to mingle and hear remarks from department faculty. Festivities will start at 2 with coffee and dessert available for attendees. Don’t miss the opportunity to mingle with alumni, connect with peers and enjoy the homecoming festivities!

We can't wait to see you there!

RSVP here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdvXa4bJEc6JH4La2liAKjoUU-UbeIKbPM2bXkOv8aZHjbmuQ/viewform?usp=dialog

10/14/2026

This year's edition of Advancing Aerospace at Michigan, the U-M Department of Aerospace Engineering’s annual magazine, highlights the people and ideas advancing aerospace engineering.

From groundbreaking research and major awards to student accomplishments and faculty achievements, the 2025-26 report takes you inside how the U-M community is shaping the future of aerospace engineering. Explore the latest edition: https://aero.engin.umich.edu/about/department-publications/

10/13/2026

University of Michigan Aerospace Engineering Associate Professor Ricardo Vinuesa is one of the leaders of a new $20 million National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to support the AI Institute in Dynamic Systems. Led by the University of Washington, the institute brings together academic and industry partners to develop new ways to model and simulate complex systems.

Congratulations to everyone involved, and we are eager to watch all of the outstanding work that will come out of this institute in the future!

Read more from U-M Aerospace Engineering here: https://aero.engin.umich.edu/2026/10/13/ricardo-vinuesa-co-leads-a-20m-nsf-funded-ai-research-initiative/

New funding will support the AI Institute in Dynamic Systems to develop new ways to model and simulate complex systems.

10/12/2026

Congratulations again to Professor Oliver Jia-Richards and Professor Max Z. Li on being selected as recipients of the inaugural AIAA 30/30 Recognition Program.

This esteemed honor reflects Professor Jia-Richards continued work at the intersection of spacecraft propulsion and astrodynamics across various ongoing projects within the U-M Department of Aerospace Engineering and beyond. Similarly, Professor Li's recognition within the Aircraft Technology, Integration, and Operations division showcases his ongoing contributions towards air traffic control, air traffic management, and strengthening the resilience of the U.S. National Airspace System (NAS).

Please join us in congratulating Professor Jia-Richards and Professor Li, and learn more about their research here: https://aero.engin.umich.edu/2026/09/28/oliver-jia-richards-and-max-z-li-selected-for-aiaa-30-30-recognition-program/

Introducing the inaugural recipients of the AIAA 30/30 Program! 🎉

We're proud to recognize 30 outstanding young professionals across aerospace design, propulsion, space systems, business, and beyond. Engineers, researchers, and innovators shaping the future of flight and space exploration.

These honorees were selected by AIAA's technical community for the rigor and impact of their work. They are the next generation of aerospace leadership.

Congratulations to AIAA's 2026 30/30 recipients! 🏆: https://bit.ly/4xTeqoK