ISABELLA RIECO IS A VARANASI FELLOW

We address key challenges to achieve off-planet activities that require vast increases in current technology to operate long-term in space and support biological life.

PLASMA SCIENCE

Stable fusion

We are working toward stable fusion reactions for future applications in energy and deep space propulsion.

Man in a wind tunnel lab, sitting in front of a computer observing data

INTEGRATED FLIGHT SCIENCES & CONTROL

Aerospace Systems

We research composite materials, flexible structures, load alleviation, hypersonics and more to understand comprehensive flight systems.

FLUIDS

Efficiency

We research fluids to boost aero- and hydro-dynamic efficiency for energy savings and higher stability.

A researcher holding a chain composed of origami cells

STRUCTURES

Innovative forms

We develop structures and composites that are stronger, lighter, and adaptable for efficiency and safety.

Two researchers putting together an aerial vehicle outdoors

CONTROLS

Remote control

We refine guidance, navigation, and control of unmanned systems as well as optimization of networked systems.

STUDENT EXPERIENCE

DESIGN BUILD FLY CHARTS A NEW COURSE

Expanded membership and a reimagined organizational structure delivered a successful plane and groundwork for more.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Sarah is a researcher in the Autonomous Controls Lab, she works on predicting and regulating the system-level behavior of competing autonomous agents. We can apply her research to lower earth orbit satellite networks, UAV swarms, or upcoming delivery vehicles on our roads. By modeling these systems as dynamic games, Sarah's research proposes methods to design optimal incentives for individual agents to make decisions that benefit the entire system.

Sarah Li awarded Condit Fellowship

Sarah Li was chosen as the 2022 Condit Dissertation Year Fellow, which is awarded to an A&A doctoral student to support early-career scholars in the aerospace field.