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Special sessions

AIDAA > Hypersonics 2026 > Special sessions

Hypersonics Country Reports I
Tuesday, 9:30-11:30

Chair: Peter Montgomery, Amentum

ITALY – Prof. Raffaele Savino, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Campania, Italy

USA – Dr. Eric Marineau, Program Officer, Hypersonics, Office of Naval Research, Arlington, VA, USA

AUSTRALIA – Dr. Anand Veeraragavan, Co-Director, Centre of Hypersonics, and Associate Professor, School of Mechanical & Mining Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

BRAZIL – Lt. Col. Lucas Galembeck

Hypersonics Country Reports II
Tuesday, 1:00-3:00

Chair: Peter Montgomery, Amentum

JAPAN – Dr. Hideyuki Taguchi, Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tokyo University of Science, Tokyo, Japan

ISRAEL – Dr. Dan Michaels, Associate Professor, Undergraduate Studies Coordinator, Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa District, Israel

GERMANY – Dr. Patrick Gruhn, Team Leader, Missile Technologies, Supersonic and Hypersonic Technologies Department, Institute of Aerodynamics and Flow Technology, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany

INDIA – Prof. Srisha Rao, Associate Professor, Aerodynamics, Department of Aerospace Engineering, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, India

Experimental and Computational Approaches for Advancing Hypersonic Flow Characterization
Wednesday, 9:30-11:30

A. Ingenito (UNIROMA1), G. Pascazio (POLIBA), R. Savino (UNINA)

Wind tunnel experiments, numerical methods, and in-flight simulations of hypersonic flows must be combined and mutually validated to improve our understanding of the most challenging and complex physical phenomena associated with the extremely high energies involved in external and internal high-speed flows. The purpose of this session is to gather the most recent contributions on wind tunnel testing, high-enthalpy ground facilities, and high-fidelity computational modeling. The topic encompasses experimental diagnostics, CFD simulations , and multiscale validation strategies, unified under a cohesive framework to address key aerothermodynamic challenges, including thermochemical non-equilibrium, radiation effects, shock–boundary-layer interactions, and high-speed propulsion. By correlating experimental and numerical results across different facilities and methodologies, perspectives will be discussed on the development of reliable tools for the design, analysis, and optimization of high-speed aerodynamic and propulsion systems.

Invited Speakers:

  • Patrick Gruhn (DLR): Experiments and Numerical Simulations for Hypersonic Flow Characterization at DLR
  • Luca Maddalena (The University of Texas at Arlington): Testing Thermal Protection Systems for Hypersonic Flight: Bridging Extreme Environments and Experimental Reality

Operationalizing Very Low Earth Orbits: A European Perspective
Wednesday, 1:00-3:00

Moderator: Hicham Alkandry, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

The region below 400 km, known as Very Low Earth Orbit (vLEO), is rapidly emerging as a strategic frontier for space operations. This panel will explore the European perspective on operationalizing this unique domain, which offers transformative advantages such as unprecedented Earth observation resolution, low-latency communications, and inherent space debris mitigation due to natural atmospheric drag.

This session will delve into the significant technical and engineering challenges posed by vLEO, including the need for continuous propulsion to counteract atmospheric drag and the development of advanced materials to resist atomic oxygen erosion. We will examine Europe’s proactive role in addressing these hurdles, highlighting key initiatives from the European Space Agency (ESA), national governments, academic research and industry leaders. The discussion will cover the development of innovative technologies, such as air-breathing electric propulsion, and demonstrator missions designed to unlock the full potential of vLEO.  Europe’s strategy to harness vLEO for scientific, commercial, and strategic leadership, while simultaneously pioneering a model for sustainable and competitive space utilization, will also be discussed.

Panel Members:

  • Juan Pablo Ramos, ESA SkimSat vLEO Lead, RedWire Europe
  • Damian La Quang, Professor, Aeronautics and Aerospace Department, von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics (VKI)
  • Louis Walpot, Aerothermodynamic and Flight Vehicle Engineer, European Space Agency, The Netherlands

Hypersonic and Re-entry Missions and Systems
Thursday, 9:30-11:30

G. Rufolo (CIRA), S. Di Benedetto (CIRA), P. Roncioni (CIRA), M. Albano (ASI)

Hypersonic and re-entry space transportation systems have always been challenging for space engineering.

Over the past 15 years, many projects have been devoted to hypersonic space transportation systems, both to provide routine access to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and return capabilities and to define high-speed transportation systems capable of reducing the duration of antipodal flights to 2-4 hours.
To delve into the main technological aspects, many projects have focused on developing flight demonstrators and their flight missions, assessing dedicated computational tools and methodologies, and conducting experimental campaigns. Specific disciplines such as:
i) aerodynamics and aerothermodynamics;
ii) airbreathing propulsion (precooled turbojets, air turbo rockets, dual-mode ramjets/ scramjets);
iii) air-fuel combustion;
iv) chemical emission reduction and jet noise abatement;
v) flight mechanics, trajectory optimization and advanced GN&C architectures;
vi) avionics, on-board instrumentation, flight control system;
vii) structural airframe, Thermal Protection System development, thermal control system;
viii) Descent and Landing system performance;
ix) reusability
At the system level, the main projects developed in Europe in recent years are I-XV, Space Rider, the EFTV of the HEXAFLY-INT project, and, more recently, the scramjet demonstrator, which is currently being studied as an Italian national initiative carried out jointly by CIRA and ASI. In particular, Space Rider is an ambitious European Space Agency program designed to provide routine access to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and return capabilities, enabling a wide range of in-orbit experimentation while significantly reducing mission costs through reusability and positioning Space Rider as Europe’s next-generation reusable space transportation system.
This special session will present the status of ongoing programs on systems and technologies developments for hypersonic and re-entry applications.
Invited Speakers:
  • Kevin G. Bowcutt , Boeing – USA,  “Hypersonic Flight: How did we get here and how do we get where we want to go?”
  • Enrico Cavallini, ASI- Italy, “Italian overview of present and future hypersonic and re-entry activities”
  • Hideyuki Taguchi , JAXA – Japan, “ Research Status of Hypersonic Propulsion Technology in Japan”
  • Johan Steelant, ESA,  “Hypersonic Endeavours: Visions towards High-Cadence Space-Planes”
  • Dante Galli, ESA, “Space Rider: Europe’s Reusable Re-entry Platform for In-Orbit Demonstration and Commercial Validation”

High-Temperature Materials and Thermo-Structural Modeling for Reusable Hypersonic and Re-Entry Systems
Thursday, 1:00-3:00

Bonfiglioli (UNIBAS), M. De Stefano (CIRA), A. Pagani (POLITO), R. Paciorri (UNIROMA1), D. Sciti (CNR), E. Zappino (POLITO)

The rapid advancement of reusable hypersonic vehicles and space re-entry systems is redefining the technological boundaries of high-temperature materials and thermo-structural design. Aerospace components operating under extreme aerothermal loads must endure severe thermal gradients, oxidation, coupled thermo-mechanical stresses, and cyclic fatigue across multiple missions. Addressing these challenges requires an integrated perspective that combines advanced material development, robust hot-structure concepts, and high-fidelity computational modeling.

This special session will provide a focused overview of recent progress in high-temperature materials for rigid or inflatable aerospace structures exposed to hypersonic and re-entry environments, as well as in thermo-elastic and nonlinear thermo-mechanical behavior, and in materials for flexible thermal protection systems (F-TPS). Invited contributions will address key topics including thermal buckling and post-buckling behavior, creep and damage evolution at elevated temperatures, multiphysics interactions, composite and hybrid materials,  ultra-high-temperature systems, and multilayered materials for F-TPS. Particular attention will be devoted to reusable hot structures, thermal protection systems, and hypersonic inflatable aerodynamic decelerators, as well as to innovative lightweight and deployable concepts, enabled by advanced materials capable of withstanding combined thermal and mechanical loads during atmospheric entry and deceleration phases.

By bringing together leading experts from materials science, structural mechanics, and hypersonic system design, the session aims to foster cross-disciplinary dialogue on enabling technologies for reliable and reusable hypersonic and space transportation platforms.

Invited Speakers:

  • F. Marra, G. Pulci (Università di Roma La Sapienza): Development and testing of advanced ablative materials for re-entry at Sapienza university: from nano modified to F-TPS.
  • David Glass (NASA): Ceramic Matrix Composite (CMC) Hot Structures for Reusable Hypersonic Vehicles
  • D. Sciti (CNR): UHTCMC: Pushing the limits of ceramic composites for hypersonics