Department of Aerospace Engineering

#GINNing Podcast: There's Something About Mary

Jeremy D Henderson | 03/17/25

A word of advice to the Louisiana State University: Make your campus a little more walk-able, or continue losing out to the best student-centered — and pedestrian-centered — engineering education experience in America, like you did with aerospace engineering undergraduate researcher extraordinaire Mary Ferguson.

External NewFueled by curiosity: Auburn engineering student uses Makerspace to design, test jet engines

02/18/25

Brandon Barnett, a senior in aerospace engineering, used his skills and classroom knowledge to build a functional jet engine in the Makerspace on campus.

New Engineering Global Programs opportunity takes students to New Zealand

Dustin Duncan | 02/17/25

A new study abroad program through Engineering Global Programs will take Auburn Engineering students to the South Pacific, immersing them in the environmental landscapes of New Zealand.

Members of the The Auburn University Rocketry Association (AURA) talk with NASA Astronaut Jessica Wittner at an airshow in Pensacola, Florida.

The Auburn University Rocketry Association prepares competition rocket for success

Olivia Ballard | 02/13/25

The Auburn University Rocketry Association (AURA) aims for new heights this year as it launches into competition season with newly designed rockets.

#GINNing Podcast: Korac on the Track

Jeremy D Henderson | 02/06/25

Auburn Creed? More like Auburn Speed.

Jonathan Pettus has been named executive director of the Auburn University Applied Research Institute. [Credit: UAH]

Pettus named executive director of Auburn University Applied Research Institute in Huntsville

Jeremy D Henderson | 01/28/25

Auburn University’s Office of the Senior Vice President for Research and Economic Development has hired Jonathan Pettus as executive director of the Auburn University Applied Research Institute (AUARI) in Huntsville, effective February 1.

The new rankings mark five consecutive years in the Top 20 and nine consecutive years in the Top 25.

Auburn Engineering ranks No. 20 in U.S. News online graduate program rankings, online computer science program moves up 10 spots

Karen Hunley | 01/21/25

The new rankings mark five consecutive years in the Top 20 and nine consecutive years in the Top 25.

David Scarborough, an associate professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Auburn University (middle) stands with graduate students Daniel Stubbs (left) and Trevor Crane (right).

Auburn rocket plume research to aid future spacecraft landings

Mike Jernigan | 01/15/25

David Scarborough, an associate professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Auburn University is working to reduce stress of spacecraft landings by studying thruster-induced plume-surface interactions (PSI) to better predict their outcomes.

Ruha Tacey, a 2012 Auburn chemical engineering graduate who has gone viral on social media as a STEM advocating influencer, served as the keynote speaker for this year's MADE@AU event.

Auburn MADE event prepares students for an engineering experience

Austin Phillips | 12/06/24

Auburn MADE event prepares students for an engineering experience

Cutline: Auburn University’s Advanced Propulsion research team stands near a cryogenic RL10 liquid rocket engine. The team is tasked with developing analytical models for cyclonic flows, constructing computational models and studying the stability of different vortex engines. Pictured from left to right are Roy Hartfield, Daniel Little, Emma Signor, Anthony Marcello and Joe Majdalani.

Auburn’s Advanced Propulsion Research Lab and Altair acquire $1.25M AFWERX contract to advance vortex rocket engines

Dustin Duncan | 11/25/24

Auburn’s Advanced Propulsion Research Lab is teaming up with Research in Flight to improve the performance of cyclonic vortex engines that are being developed for use by the U.S. Air Force and commercial space companies such as Sierra Space.

Joe Majdalani, the Hugh and Loeda Francis Chair of Excellence in the Department of Aerospace Engineering, receives a commemorative plaque as part of his induction as an AIAA Fellow on May 14 in Washington, D.C.

Aerospace engineering professor named AIAA Fellow

Dustin Duncan | 11/22/24

Joseph C. (“Joe”) Majdalani, the Hugh and Loeda Francis Chair of Excellence in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Auburn University, was named an American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Fellow.

Auburn Engineering has now increased its annual new research awards and contracts by more than 300% since 2018, when the college brought in $29 million.

Auburn University’s Samuel Ginn College of Engineering has set a college record for new research awards and contracts for a fiscal year, closing FY24 with $117.7 million.

Austin Phillips | 11/11/24

The Samuel Ginn College of Engineering has set a college record for new research awards and contracts for a fiscal year, closing FY24 with $117.7 million.

JD McFarlan, ’84, mechanical engineering (left) and Mark Miller, ’84 and ’85 aerospace engineering (right).

Auburn alumni shine at AIAA Gala

Dustin Duncan | 11/06/24

Two alumni from Auburn Engineering were recognized earlier this year by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA).

#GINNing Podcast: Boom

Jeremy Henderson | 10/18/24

Word to your moms — Ben Bauldree came to drop bombs. Check out an explosive interview with the Auburn aerospace engineering alumnus and pickle pro on the latest episode of the best podcast in higher education.

Auburn Makersfest 2024 is offering $2,000 in prize money to any Auburn student who has developed a product, written a song, or composed a poem – anything that was created – during a competition meant to stimulate creative thinking.

Auburn Makersfest submissions due Oct. 18

Dustin Duncan | 10/08/24

Auburn Makersfest 2024 is offering $2,000 in prize money to any Auburn student who has developed a product, written a song, or composed a poem – anything that was created – during a competition meant to stimulate creative thinking.

Justin Littlefield, a senior in the Department of Aerospace Engineering, has been awarded the 2024 Astronaut Scholarship Foundation award.

Senior aerospace engineering student awarded the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation’s 2024 scholarship 

Olivia Ballard | 09/25/24

Justin Littlefield, a senior in the Department of Aerospace Engineering, has been awarded the 2024 Astronaut Scholarship Foundation award.  

Auburn Engineering’s Career Development and Corporate Relations (CDCR) office will host Aerospace Industry Day on Oct. 1 and Biotechnology Industry Day on Oct. 16. Both will take place from noon to 3 p.m. at the Brown-Kopel Center Grand Hall.

CDCR to host Aerospace and Biotechnology Industry Days in October

Olivia Ballard | 09/25/24

Auburn Engineering’s Career Development and Corporate Relations (CDCR) office will host Aerospace Industry Day on Oct. 1 and Biotechnology Industry Day on Oct. 16. Both will take place from noon to 3 p.m. at the Brown-Kopel Center Grand Hall.

Auburn Engineering’s undergraduate program also ranked fourth among the 13 public institutions in the Southeastern Conference and — again — No. 1 in the state.

Auburn Engineering undergraduate program ranked No. 30 among public institutions nationwide

Joe McAdory | 09/24/24

Auburn Engineering’s undergraduate program also ranked fourth among the 13 public institutions in the Southeastern Conference and — again — No. 1 in the state.

The 2024 Auburn Alumni Engineering Council award winners included Distinguished Auburn Engineers Maury Gaston, ’82 mechanical engineering; Chris Kramer, ’94 civil engineering; Shirley Boulware, ’91 chemical engineering; Art Slotkin, ’68 aerospace engineering; Outstanding Young Auburn Engineer Jordan Watkins, ’12 civil engineering; and Superior Service Sushil Bhavnani, professor emeritus.

Auburn Alumni Engineering Council honors 6 with college’s highest awards

Austin Phillips | 09/17/24

Five outstanding engineering alumni and one longtime faculty member of the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering were honored by the Auburn Alumni Engineering Council during a ceremony Friday, Sept. 13, for their distinguished professional careers. These alumni include four who were recognized as Distinguished Auburn Engineers, one as an Outstanding Young Auburn Engineer and a mechanical engineering professor emeritus for Superior Service. The council also honored alumnus Charles Gavin, ’59 textile engineering, who will receive an honorary doctorate of science at the December commencement ceremonies.

Phoebe Judkins, a student in civil and environmental engineering, talks with employers during a career fair hosted by the College of Engineering’s Career Development and Corporate Relations office in October 2023.

CDCR to host engineering career fair in September

Olivia Ballard | 09/16/24

The Career Development and Corporate Relations (CDCR) office will host an annual engineering career fair Sept. 23 and 26 in Brown-Kopel Grand Hall from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Daniel Little, a doctoral student in aerospace engineering, (middle) was named Graduate Student of the Year by AIAA Greater Huntsville Section. He stands next to Joe Majdalani (left), the Hugh and Loeda Francis Chair of Excellence in aerospace engineering at Auburn and Andrew Keys (right), Section vice chair.

Auburn Engineering students shine at AIAA Greater Huntsville Section awards dinner

Dustin Duncan | 09/05/24

A pair of Auburn Engineering students were recently honored by the AIAA Greater Huntsville Section for their academic achievements in aerospace engineering.

From left: Sathya Aakur, Brendon Allen, Davide Guzzetti and Tin Nguyen.

Four Auburn Engineering faculty members named Ginn Faculty Achievement Fellows

Joe McAdory | 09/03/24

The Ginn Faculty Achievement Fellowship recognizes and rewards junior faculty who receive prestigious young investigator awards, including the National Science Foundation CAREER, Department of Defense, Department of Energy or National Institute of Health Young Investigator awards.

Dean Hendrix assumes the position of associate dean for undergraduate studies and program assessment effective Aug. 1.

Hendrix named associate dean for undergraduate studies and program assessment

Austin Phillips | 07/17/24

Dean Hendrix has been named associate dean for undergraduate studies and program assessment for Auburn University’s Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, according to an announcement by Mario Eden, dean of engineering.

Aerospace engineering student earns Department of Defense fellowship

Dustin Duncan | 07/11/24

Matthew Hooks, a master's student in the Department of Aerospace Engineering, was recently awarded a National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship sponsored by the Department of Defense (DOD).