UT Aerospace Engineering & Engineering Mechanics

Join us at the Texas Innovation Center for the Launch Texas Speaker Series featuring Xiaoming Yin, Senior Investment Manager at Lockheed Martin. Open to all UT Aerospace Engineering & Engineering Mechanics students.

Thursday, Sept. 19, 9-11 AM
Texas Innovation Center, EER 2.518

Breakfast will be served. RSVP now to secure your seat! https://utexas.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5i025shqlhlqDlk

Join us tomorrow, Aug. 28 for a special seminar featuring Ben Bussey, the chief scientist at Intuitive Machines, who will discuss the Moon as a "multi-tool" when it comes to unlocking the mysteries of the Solar System.

Unlocking the Moon: Unlocking the Solar System
Ben Bussey, Ph.D.
Chief Scientist, Intuitive Machines
Wednesday, August 28, 2024
12:00 PM, ASE 1.126

Learn more: https://www.ae.utexas.edu/research/seminars/icalrepeat.detail/2024/08/28/1303/-/unlocking-the-moon-unlocking-the-solar-system

UT Center for Space Research

Happy first class day y’all! 🤘 Welcome back - we’ve missed you around ASE! Tag us in your first class day photos for a chance to be featured. We’re looking forward to another great year in UT Aerospace Engineering & Engineering Mechanics where the sky is not the limit! 🚀

Cockrell School of Engineering - UT Austin | UT Center for Space Research

We enjoyed welcoming our new graduate students at orientation this week. 🤘 We're looking forward to seeing these students working alongside our faculty to shape the future of new space and the world! 🚀



UT Center for Space Research

Join us for a special seminar featuring Ben Bussey, the chief scientist at Intuitive Machines, who will discuss the Moon as a "multi-tool" when it comes to unlocking the mysteries of the Solar System.

Unlocking the Moon: Unlocking the Solar System
Ben Bussey, Ph.D.
Chief Scientist, Intuitive Machines

Wednesday, August 28, 2024
12:00 PM, ASE 1.126

Learn more: https://www.ae.utexas.edu/research/seminars/icalrepeat.detail/2024/08/28/1303/-/unlocking-the-moon-unlocking-the-solar-system

UT Center for Space Research

✨ ASE/EM Academy of Distinguished Alumni Nomination Call✨

Do you know a graduate of the UT Aerospace Engineering & Engineering Mechanics Department who you feel deserves recognition for their distinguished career since leaving the Forty Acres? Why not nominate them for membership to the ASE/EM Academy of Distinguished Alumni?

🚀 Nominate a new member for the Class of 2025 today! https://www.ae.utexas.edu/news/nomination-call-ase-em-academy-of-distinguished-alumni-2025

🤘 Congratulations to alumnus William Hoey who recently received the NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration Early Career Achievement Medal! Hoey earned his M.S. and Ph.D. in aerospace engineering under the co-advisement of Professors Philip Varghese and David Goldstein.

🏅 Hoey received the medal for his work in the "development of analytical models and simulations of molecular contaminant transport, leading to improved flight system design solutions."

🚀 "While an engineer and technologist at JPL, I have worked to grow our analysis and simulation capabilities for multidisciplinary support to spacecraft engineering and mission science across technical disciplines including contamination control, planetary protection and propulsion. Thank you to my many colleagues and mentors here at JPL, across NASA and throughout academia who value and have enabled this work!" - William Hoey

Cockrell School of Engineering - UT Austin | UT Center for Space Research

Learn how ASE/EM professor Thomas Underwood and a group of researchers have discovered the possibility that lightning strikes on Earth may have been the catalyst for the origin of life! ⚡

A shocking new twist on how all life on Earth might have started through the power of lightning ⚡️

Texas Engineer Thomas Underwood and a group of researchers have discovered the possibility that lightning strikes on Earth may have been the catalyst for the origin of life.

The idea is that cloud-to-ground lightning strikes could have triggered chemical reactions in Earth's atmosphere, forming essential molecules like amino acids.

Lead more about this electrifying news: https://cockrell.utexas.edu/news/archive/10046-how-did-life-begin-a-shocking-new-twist
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The University of Texas at Austin | UT Aerospace Engineering & Engineering Mechanics | Harvard University | Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Please help us welcome two new faculty members to UT Aerospace Engineering & Engineering Mechanics for the 2024-25 academic year. 🤘

Thinh Doan joins us as an assistant professor and comes to us from Virginia Tech, where he served as an assistant professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. His research focuses on advancing existing control and learning algorithms that enable a team of robots, such as UAVs or ground vehicles, to help humans perform complex tasks.

Hannah Lu joins us as an assistant professor and comes to us from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Lu is working on leveraging advances in data-driven tools to improve computation efficiency, quantify the uncertainty of models, and provide scientific information to inform decision-making on climate change. She will also be a core member of the Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences.

Meet each of these new faculty members and learn more about their research, why they chose to come to UT Austin and what they enjoy doing in their free time: https://www.ae.utexas.edu/news/welcome-new-faculty-for-2024-25

Cockrell School of Engineering - UT Austin | UT Center for Space Research

We had an amazing time at Intuitive Machines (IM) this week! Our visit kicked off with a tour of the facility, followed by UT Austin presentations and a business panel of industry members who shared their engagement interests and possible collaboration opportunities. The evening closed out with a local happy hour. Thanks to IM for hosting and making this event possible. We look forward to working with industry to help shape the future of the new space era! 🤘 🚀

Cockrell School of Engineering - UT Austin | UT Center for Space Research

Texas-Soton, led by Luis Sentis, is one of 29 teams across the globe selected to advance to the next round of the XPRIZE Wildfire Autonomous Wildfire Response track.

XPRIZE Wildfire is a four-year, $11 million competition incentivizing the innovation of firefighting technologies that will end destructive wildfires so that humanity and beneficial wildfire can safely co-exist. The prize aims to transform current wildfire management approaches through the development of new technologies that can rapidly and accurately detect, characterize and respond to wildfires before they become destructive.

ASE/EM's Jayant Sirohi will work with the team to design and fabricate a mid-sized fixed-wing aircraft capable of carrying smaller rotor drones that will precisely land and suppress fires.

Learn more about the competition and watch the KXAN News story: https://www.ae.utexas.edu/news/ut-team-qualifies-for-international-xprize-wildfire-competition

Cockrell School of Engineering - UT Austin | UT Center for Space Research

“Determination of the time-variable geopotential by means of orbiting clocks“, was published in the Journal of Geodesy by the Center’s Simone Giuliani, Byron D. Tapley, and John C. Ries on June 5, 2024.

Measuring changes in gravity using highly accurate clocks in low Earth orbit is crucial for supporting research in climate change and the sustainable management of water resources. This innovative approach provides valuable data that can enhance our understanding of environmental dynamics .

Read more: https://www.csr.utexas.edu/determination-of-the-time-variable-geopotential-by-means-of-orbiting-clocks/

How Plasmas Could Help Reduce Methane Emissions Texas Engineers have developed the most efficient method yet to convert methane to methanol over the distributed scales where it is produced.

It's and there's still time to share your summer internship experience! If you're a UT Aerospace Engineering & Engineering Mechanics student and interning this summer, tag us in your posts or complete this online form for a chance to be featured on our channels: https://bit.ly/3VvRivp 🤘 🚀

Cockrell School of Engineering - UT Austin | UT Center for Space Research

Just a little more than a month away until we see our students (both new and returning) roaming the halls of the ASE Building! Thanks to our orientation advisors, Ethan Nguyen and Denys Klymenko, for welcoming our new incoming students during this summer. We're looking forward to another amazing year at UT Aerospace Engineering & Engineering Mechanics, where ! 🚀 🤘

Cockrell School of Engineering - UT Austin | UT Center for Space Research

E-skins and E-tattoos: Your Cybernetic Future

In this TEDxUTAustin talk, Nanshu Lu explains why rigid electronics don’t work well with our soft, pliable skin – and how her flexible, tattoo-like sensors are changing the future of at-home healthcare.

https://www.ted.com/talks/nanshu_lu_e_skins_and_e_tattoos_your_cybernetic_future?subtitle=en

Cockrell School of Engineering - UT Austin

E-skins and e-tattoos: Your cybernetic future Smartwatches are powerful computers, but too imprecise for medical use; doctors still need to spend valuable time taking measurements with specialized equipment. Biomechnical engineer Nanshu Lu explains why rigid electronics just don’t work well with our soft, pliable skin–and how her flexible, ...

🤘 Summer Internship Spotlight!

🚁 Meet Mizan Mohammed, Class of 2027, who is majoring aerospace engineering and music & media. This summer, he is interning at Bell Flight/Hurst as a stress engineer to analyze various stress conditions applied to the V280 Valor Tiltrotor.

🌟 What inspired you to pursue your current academic path?

I have always loved the mindset and thought process that engineering brings. Being able to help others, create, develop and change various aspects of the world through engineering is incredible and unique. I hope to make a strong impact in this world by elevating the quality of life for all humanity, and using the values of my faith, including volunteerism, pluralism, and civic engagement to continue to make the world a better place.

🌟 How is this experience helping you prepare for your career?

My time at Bell Flight has been exceedingly helpful. From learning stress analysis, to understanding fundamental concepts surrounding engineering, I have learned a great deal about the engineering industry, the various components needed to execute successful projects, and the skills needed to be successful at any job.

Cockrell School of Engineering - UT Austin | UT Center for Space Research

Texas Engineers are participating in a groundbreaking United States Space Force operation that will propel innovative technologies for in-space operations. The project is part of the Space Strategic Technical Institute for In-Space Operations (SSTI-ISO), a collaborative effort involving several leading academic units and industry partners.

Cockrell School of Engineering - UT Austin researchers will contribute major advances for space robotics, mobility, motion-planning, and high-performance actuator development for rendezvous, proximity maneuvers, in-space repair, refueling, and assembly operations.

The project has been awarded $37.6M over five years, with UT’s portion totaling approximately $5.8M. Maruthi Akella, an ASE/EM professor, will lead UT’s efforts, with Texas A&M University at the helm.

Other Texas Engineering faculty involved in the project include ASE/EM professor Luis Sentis and Mitch Pryor, a research professor in the J. Mike Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering, UT Austin.

Learn more about the new institute: https://ae.utexas.edu/news/texas-engineers-join-space-force-operation-bringing-robots-to-space

UT Center for Space Research

Learn how are making their mark on the Moon and how they plan to make spaceflight operations safer and more accessible in this Alcalde piece that features alumnus Tim Crain and several UT Aerospace Engineering & Engineering Mechanics faculty, including Maruthi Akella, Brandon Jones and Renato Zanetti: https://alcalde.texasexes.org/2024/06/longhorns-lunar-technology/ 🌘🤘

Cockrell School of Engineering - UT Austin | UT Center for Space Research

Longhorns Helm Cutting-Edge Lunar Technologies It was a mild evening in late February, and Tim Crain, BS ’95, MS ’99, PhD ’00, Life Member, was driving home from the headquarters of Intuitive Machines, a space exploration company he co-founded a decade earlier, when he glanced up and saw a full moon glowing brightly over Houston. It was a ...

Happy as we wrap up another week of ! We look forward to seeing these new students roaming the halls of ASE this fall. 🚀 🤘

We still want to hear what you're up to this summer UT Aerospace Engineering & Engineering Mechanics students! Internship? Study abroad? Tag us in your posts or upload your photo and details here: https://utexas.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bghkB8EqkziPxGd 🤘

Are you interning this summer? We want to hear what you're doing!

If you're a student in UT Aerospace Engineering & Engineering Mechanics, please tag us in your internship posts, comment in this post, or send your photo and details for an opportunity to be featured on our channels: https://bit.ly/3VvRivp 🤘

Happy AND from our amazing UT Aerospace Engineering & Engineering Mechanics staff team! Tag us in your posts and let us know what you’re up to this summer.

The UT Aerospace Engineering & Engineering Mechanics' aerospace engineering graduate program has once again been ranked among the top ten in the U.S.! 🚀 According to U.S. News & World Report's 2024-2025 graduate engineering program rankings released today, our program ranks No. 9 in the nation, with the Cockrell School of Engineering - UT Austin ranking No. 8 overall. 🤘



https://cockrell.utexas.edu/news/archive/10019-cockrell-school-ranked-among-top-u-s-engineering-graduate-programs-2

🚀 Summer Internship Spotlight

Meet Haia Abdallah, ASE Class of 2026, who is working as an aerospace engineering intern this summer and Dilynn Derden, ASE Class of 2027, who is working as a quality intern, both on the Virgin Galactic team at Bell Flight. 🤘

Are you a UT Aerospace Engineering & Engineering Mechanics student interning this summer? Complete this online form for a chance to be featured on our channels! https://bit.ly/3VvRivp

Another is upon us. And there's no better day to tell us what you're up to, UT Aerospace Engineering & Engineering Mechanics alumni! 🚀🤘 Update your contact info to stay informed and share your good news with us:
https://ae.utexas.edu/alumni/stay-engaged/keep-in-touch

Whether you've just graduated, or are an alum in years past, we want to hear from you! Complete our alumni update form and tell us what you're up to while also staying informed about all the great happenings at UT Aerospace Engineering & Engineering Mechanics. We can't wait to see how y'all are changing the world! 🤘 (Opportunities to be featured in Longhorn Liftoff and on our social channels as well).

Keep in Touch: bit.ly/alumni-utaerospace

We're in full swing with for the Class of 2028 this summer. A warm welcome to all of our new incoming students. We can't wait to see y'all back on the Forty Acres and in the ASE Building this fall! 🤘

Cockrell School of Engineering - UT Austin | UT Center for Space Research

By harnessing the power of plasma, a special type of energy created by adding electricity to gases, Texas Engineer Thomas Underwood is confronting challenges in space travel, manufacturing and clean energy 🤘

Underwood's research focuses on spacecraft that don't need to carry fuel and can instead run on molecules they pluck out of the atmosphere, making space missions more efficient.

But it doesn't stop there! Underwood's research also aims to reduce harmful emissions from semiconductor manufacturing, which is crucial for making electronic devices. The goal is to capture and neutralize these emissions before they reach the atmosphere.

Find out what else this UT Aerospace Engineering & Engineering Mechanics engineer plans to work on with the power of plasma (by the way, this photo is very real and not altered, just some light edits on Photoshop 😉). https://ae.utexas.edu/news/self-propelling-satellites-and-reentry-shields-among-new-projects-for-tom-underwood