Robert Melton, professor of aerospace engineering, has been elected a corresponding member of the International Academy of Astronautics.

David B. Spencer, professor of aerospace engineering at Penn State, has been named the recipient of the 2018 International Astronautical Federation's Frank J. Malina Astronautics Medal. The Malina Medal is presented annually to an educator who has demonstrated excellence in taking the fullest advantage of the resources available to them to promote the study of astronautics and related space sciences.

Mark D. Maughmer, professor of aerospace engineering at Penn State, has been named an American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Fellow.

Puneet Singla, associate professor of aerospace engineering, has been elected an American Astronautical Society Fellow.

Alan Wagner, assistant professor of aerospace engineering, has received funding from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research to investigate the factors that cause overtrust in autonomous vehicles and robots, and develop techniques that will allow autonomous systems to recognize it and prevent it.

The Department of Aerospace Engineering has lost an alumnus, former leader and dear friend whose dedication, leadership and pioneering efforts helped shape not only Penn State Aerospace Engineering for decades, but also the aerospace industry. Barnes (Barney) W. McCormick Jr., Boeing Professor Emeritus and former department head of aerospace engineering, died on Oct. 29 at his home in State College, Pennsylvania, at the age of 91.

Eighteen graduate students from aerospace engineering and other Penn State College of Engineering programs took part in the first-ever Graduate AeroWomen Professional Development Workshop on Aug. 25 and 26 at the University Park campus.

Belen Veras-Alba, doctoral student in the Penn State Department of Aerospace Engineering, recently received a 2017 National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship.

Namiko Yamamoto, assistant professor of aerospace engineering at Penn State, was recently awarded $447,663 through the Office of Naval Research Sea-Based Aviation Airframe Structures and Materials program to study fundamental toughening mechanisms of novel ceramic composites and their use as alternative materials for high-temperature applications in the aerospace industry.

Penn State is a member of a multi-university research team that was selected by NASA to explore transformative system-level aviation innovations as part of NASA Aeronautics’ University Leadership Initiative.