2025-08-04: Trip Report: 2025 AIAA SciTech Forum
The 2025 AIAA SciTech Forum in Orlando served as a seminal meeting point for researchers, practitioners, and policy influencers from across the aerospace spectrum. Throughout the week, a series of plenaries, panel discussions, and technical sessions provided a multifaceted view of contemporary challenges and future directions in aerospace research and development. This report will review key themes—from resilient space systems and exascale computing to transformative applications of artificial intelligence (AI) and NASA’s evolving strategies for continuous human presence in low Earth orbit (LEO) and my own personal takeaways from the various talks I attended.
I. Opening Plenary and Community Building
In his opening address, Clay Mowry, the newly appointed CEO of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), set the stage by emphasizing the forum’s role in fostering technical exchange and innovation. Speaking to an audience exceeding 6,000 attendees, including over 2,000 students and young professionals, Mowry underscored the Institute’s dual commitment to honoring its long-standing heritage and charting a forward-looking course for aerospace. He highlighted several strategic priorities:
Community Engagement and Mentorship: Mowry’s remarks stressed the importance of intergenerational knowledge transfer, noting the active participation of first-generation college students and international members within AIAA’s volunteer base. This is, to me, a key benefit to attending these types of conferences.
Institutional Growth: With AIAA approaching its centennial in 2031, the organization is actively seeking to expand its membership base and enhance its member services, thereby reinforcing its role as a thought leader in aerospace.
Inspiration for Innovation: Mowry’s energetic account of his recent visits to industry sites—such as Lockheed Martin and GE Aerospace—and his personal reflections on 32 years in the field served to inspire attendees by linking historical achievement with the promise of emerging technologies. It’s easy to forget how much innovation is going on when you live in the NASA bubble despite regular industry collaborations.
JPL’s Vision and the Future of Planetary Exploration
In the opening keynote by Dr. Lori Leshin of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), the forum’s attention shifted to the challenges of planetary exploration. Dr. Leshin’s presentation covered topics such as:
Advances in Robotic Exploration: JPL’s work on Mars sample return, the deployment of sophisticated rovers, and the development of autonomous robotic systems illustrates the agency’s commitment to addressing the complex challenges of landing and operating on extraterrestrial surfaces.
Deep-Space Optical Systems: The integration of a next-generation coronagraph instrument on the Roman Space Telescope was highlighted as a transformative advance, offering the potential to detect exoplanets that are up to 100 million times fainter than their host stars.
Interdisciplinary and International Collaboration: Dr. Leshin stressed the importance of sustained partnerships—with entities such as the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and various European space agencies—to address global scientific challenges and ensure that exploration efforts yield both technological and scientific dividends.
Dr. Leshin’s keynote underscored that the future of planetary exploration will be defined by the capacity to execute “ridiculously hard” missions; an endeavor that demands the convergence of technical innovation, rigorous testing, and robust international cooperation. A focus on complex mission research and execution helps to drive home the point that we can not continue to be a leader in space exploration with commercial space alone.
II. Advancing Resilient Space Systems
A key theme at the forum was the redefinition of resiliency in space systems. In a panel discussion featuring Dr. Deborah Emmons from the Aerospace Corporation and other experts, participants examined the limitations of traditional point-to-point resiliency models and advocated for a distributed, holistic approach. The session presented a rigorous analysis of emergent threats, including:
Systemic Vulnerabilities: The increasing reliance on space assets for global communications, navigation, and defense necessitates architectures that can autonomously reassign tasks and maintain functionality despite targeted disruptions.
Technological Threats: Contemporary challenges—ranging from anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons to the potential deployment of nuclear systems in orbit—demand innovative countermeasures and collaborative research efforts.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration: The discussion reinforced that strategic partnerships among government agencies, industry leaders, and academic institutions are indispensable for advancing robust space technologies.
Such deliberations reinforce the imperative for next-generation space systems to incorporate resiliency as an emergent, distributed property — a concept that will shape both technical R&D and national security policy.
III. Exascale Computing and Its Impact on Aerospace Research
Dr. Bronson Messer’s keynote presentation on Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Frontier supercomputer provided a technical deep-dive into the transformative potential of exascale computing. Frontier, with its reported peak performance of 2.1 exaflops in double precision, exemplifies the convergence of advanced hardware, optimized interconnectivity, and innovative cooling solutions. Key points included:
Architectural Innovation: The supercomputer’s nearly 10,000-node configuration, housed in cabinet-sized racks and cooled via a state-of-the-art liquid-cooling system, enables unprecedented computational throughput essential for multi-scale, multiphysics simulations.
Scientific Applications: Frontier’s capabilities are already being leveraged for high-fidelity simulations in turbulence modeling, combustion dynamics, and retropropulsion analysis for Mars missions. These applications are critical for validating theoretical models and accelerating technology maturation.
Collaborative Synergies: Messer emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, highlighting partnerships with industry (e.g., GE Aerospace) and academic institutions to maximize the impact of exascale resources on aerospace innovation.
Dr. Messer’s presentation illustrates that advances in computational infrastructure are pivotal to solving complex aerospace problems, thereby fostering breakthroughs in both fundamental science and applied engineering.
IV. AI as a Catalyst for Transformative Aerospace Applications
The session titled “The AI Future Is Now,” led by Alexis Bonnell, CIO of the Air Force Research Lab (at the time of the presentation), offered a forward-looking perspective on the integration of AI into aerospace systems. Moderated by Dr. Karen Wilcox, Banel’s presentation addressed several critical issues:
Iterative Learning and Rapid Adaptation: Bonnell noted that the accelerated pace of AI innovation requires a “fail-fast, learn-fast” approach. This methodology is essential for refining generative AI systems and ensuring that technological developments remain relevant in rapidly changing operational contexts.
Transformation of Routine Operations: One of the most compelling insights was the potential for AI to convert mundane tasks into strategic “time,” thus enhancing operational efficiency. This shift is particularly significant in defense, where reducing cognitive load can free decision-makers to focus on high-priority challenges.
Ethical and Cultural Considerations: Bonnell’s discussion also addressed the ethical dimensions of AI deployment, arguing that AI should be viewed as an augmentation tool rather than a replacement for human judgment. This perspective is crucial for fostering a balanced relationship between technology and human expertise.
The session’s exploration of AI underscores its role as both a technical enabler and a transformative force that reshapes the dynamics of human-machine collaboration in aerospace.
V. NASA’s Evolving Vision for Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
NASA’s strategic vision for continuous human presence in LEO was articulated by Associate Administrator Jim Free in a session that presented the agency’s new LEO microgravity strategy. Free’s remarks provided a comprehensive overview of NASA’s long-term objectives, which build on the legacy of the International Space Station (ISS) while charting a course for future exploration. Salient aspects included:
Historical Continuity and Future Ambitions: Free contextualized NASA’s achievements, from Apollo and the ISS to upcoming missions, emphasizing that LEO remains a critical proving ground for sustaining human presence and advancing exploration technologies.
Consultative Strategy Development: The formulation of the Leo microgravity strategy involved extensive stakeholder consultation with industry, academia, and international partners. This collaborative process yielded a refined set of goals and objectives that emphasize a “continuous heartbeat” in LEO.
Operational and Budgetary Considerations: Free discussed the challenges of maintaining a sustainable transportation base, managing orbital debris, and balancing budgetary priorities to ensure that strategic objectives can be met.
This session not only provided a detailed roadmap for future LEO operations but also highlighted the importance of consultation and iterative strategy development in addressing the multifaceted challenges of space exploration.
VI. NASA Langley Specific Talks
The presentation by Dr. B. Danette Allen, titled "Teaming with Autonomous Systems for Persistent Human-Machine Operations in Space, on the Moon, and on to Mars," explored the critical role of autonomous systems in NASA’s long-term Moon-to-Mars strategy. The discussion emphasized the need for reliable, resilient, and responsible autonomy to support human-machine teaming in deep space exploration.
Dr. Allen framed the talk around the question of whether autonomy should be "irresponsible"—a rhetorical setup that presented the challenges of ensuring trust, safety, and effectiveness in autonomous robotic systems. The presentation aligned with NASA’s broader Moon-to-Mars architecture, which envisions integrated human and robotic operations to maximize scientific and engineering productivity. The emphasis was on creating autonomous systems that can function effectively in harsh, time-critical environments while maintaining transparency, explainability, and human oversight.
A key focus was the concept of Human-Machine Teaming (HMT) which involves the integration of human cognition with robotic efficiency to optimize exploration activities. NASA’s strategy aims to balance supervised autonomy with trusted, independent robotic operations that extend the reach of human explorers. This approach ensures that, even during uncrewed mission phases, habitation systems, construction equipment, and surface transportation can function autonomously while still allowing human intervention when necessary.
The presentation detailed how autonomous systems will contribute to NASA’s Lunar Infrastructure (LI) and Science-Enabling (SE) objectives. These include autonomous site surveying, sample stockpiling, and in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) to prepare for crewed missions. Autonomous construction techniques will be crucial for building long-term infrastructure, such as power distribution networks and surface mobility systems, while robotic assistants will help optimize astronaut time by handling routine or high-risk tasks.
One of the central challenges discussed was trust in autonomous systems. Dr. Allen highlighted that autonomy in space is not merely about function allocation but about fostering justifiable trust, which ensures that robots make decisions in a way that humans can understand and rely on — especially in safety-critical scenarios. The talk addressed different levels of autonomy, ranging from supervised to fully autonomous systems, and how human explorers will interface with these technologies through natural interaction methods such as gestures, gaze tracking, and speech.
From an in-space assembly perspective, this research is vital. As NASA moves toward constructing large-scale space infrastructure, ranging from modular lunar habitats to Martian research stations, robotic autonomy will be essential in assembling, repairing, and maintaining these structures. Autonomous systems capable of adapting to dynamic conditions will reduce reliance on Earth-based control, allowing for more resilient and self-sustaining operations.
The Moon-to-Mars strategy’s emphasis on interoperability and maintainability also ties into the need for autonomous systems that can adapt to different mission phases. Whether constructing habitats, assisting in scientific research, or supporting crew logistics, autonomy must be integrated seamlessly across NASA’s exploration objectives. By leveraging artificial intelligence and robotic automation, NASA is setting the foundation for a future where in-space assembly and long-term space habitation become feasible and sustainable.
Ultimately, the idea that autonomy in space must be trustworthy, explainable, and mission-critical is fundamental to the development of reliable human-machine teams. These teams will be a cornerstone of NASA’s efforts to establish a persistent human and robotic presence on the Moon and Mars, paving the way for deeper space exploration and long-term space infrastructure development.
The presentation by Natalia M. Alexandrov and colleagues, "MISTRAL: Concept and Analysis of Persistent Airborne Localization of GHG Emissions," explored an innovative approach to tracking and mitigating methane (CH₄) emissions using persistent airborne monitoring. Funded by NASA’s Convergent Aeronautic Solutions (CAS) initiative, the project sought to develop a scalable, low-cost solution for real-time methane detection, with a particular focus on high-emission regions like the Permian Basin.
The presentation emphasized the urgency of methane reduction by highlighting that the global temperature increase had surpassed the critical 1.5°C threshold in 2024. This warming has exacerbated environmental, economic, and health crises, with methane playing a significant role due to its potency as a greenhouse gas. The discussion also addressed the direct health effects of methane emissions, which displace oxygen and contribute to respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological conditions. Studies cited in the talk estimated that emissions from oil and gas industry operations contribute to 7,500 excess deaths and a $77 billion annual public health burden in the U.S. alone.
Initially, the research team explored airborne CO₂ removal but pivoted toward methane due to its greater short-term climate impact. The final concept emphasized persistent localization and reporting rather than scrubbing, as some experts raised concerns that removal technologies might unintentionally encourage more emissions. Instead, MISTRAL proposed a decentralized approach in which fleets of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) drones would conduct continuous monitoring and reporting of methane leaks, allowing for timely intervention and mitigation.
The design reference mission (DRM) centered on the Permian Basin, one of the largest methane super-emitters in the world. The project proposed partitioning the observation area into units, each operating a fleet of drones for continuous surveillance of emissions from production sites, pipelines, and storage facilities. The study also explored different operational strategies, such as distributed battery hot swapping and chase vehicle-based battery replacements, to maximize efficiency and minimize downtime.
A key aspect of the analysis was its feasibility assessment. The team evaluated the economic viability of the system, modeling costs under pessimistic assumptions. Even in worst-case scenarios, the study found that small municipalities could afford to implement and maintain a localized monitoring network. The project also aligned with existing Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) third-party reporting initiatives, empowering local governments, first responders, and communities to take direct action in holding polluters accountable.
From an Earth science and conservation perspective, MISTRAL represented a major step forward in environmental monitoring and climate change mitigation. Persistent airborne surveillance of greenhouse gases could provide critical data for climate researchers, regulatory agencies, and policymakers, improving the accuracy of emissions inventories and facilitating more effective enforcement of environmental regulations. The ability to track methane emissions in near-real-time also complemented broader conservation efforts by helping to identify and address sources of ecosystem degradation, such as habitat loss due to oil and gas extraction.
Furthermore, MISTRAL’s model of community-driven, low-cost, technology-enabled environmental oversight offered a scalable blueprint for other regions grappling with industrial pollution. By decentralizing environmental monitoring and making it more accessible, the project aligned with global efforts to use technology for conservation, supporting initiatives like methane reduction pledges under the Global Methane Pledge and broader climate resilience strategies.
Ultimately, the presentation concluded that the MISTRAL concept was not only technically and economically viable but also a transformative tool for conservation and environmental protection. By leveraging autonomous aerial systems for persistent methane tracking, the project offered a pragmatic, actionable solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change at a critical time for global climate action.
Dr. Javier Puig-Navarro’s talk, “Performance Evaluation of a
Cartesian Move Algorithm for the LSMS Family of Cable-Driven Cranes”, presented on the performance of a novel algorithm designed for the Lightweight Surface Manipulation System (LSMS).
The LSMS crane operates through multiple cable actuators that provide both support and control of the payload, enabling large workspaces with lightweight hardware. However, the system’s complex nonlinear dynamics, coupled actuator paths, and lack of traditional joint sensors pose significant challenges to motion planning, especially in the precise manipulation required for autonomous or teleoperated operations on the Moon or Mars.
The Cartesian Move Algorithm: A Simpler Path to Precision
Puig-Navarro’s team developed the Cartesian Move Algorithm to simplify these challenges by shifting control focus from joint space to task space. The algorithm's objective is to drive the crane’s end effector (e.g., hook or gripper) to a desired 3D location, maintaining position even in the face of actuation delays, feedback uncertainty, and mechanical compliance.
Inputs to the algorithm include:
Goal position: Supplied by a perception system (e.g., vision-based localization)
Hook position estimate: Computed from actuator encoders
Ideal motion profile: A straight-line trajectory from current position to target
Instead of prescribing precise joint motions, the algorithm computes control signals that move the end effector directly along a Cartesian path. This approach abstracts the operator or control planner away from the complexities of cable tensioning, kinematic switching, and nonlinear coupling; common obstacles in cable-driven robotic systems.
In practice, the Cartesian move operates during several key motion phases:
Capture and lift in pick-up tasks
Drop, release, and retreat during payload placement
For initial alignment (approach), a separate joint-space trajectory tracking algorithm is used, which ensures smooth transition into Cartesian control when precision is most critical.
Performance Insights from Hardware and Simulation
Puig-Navarro reported on a rigorous evaluation of the algorithm using 49 real-world trials on LSMS testbeds. The results were impressive:
46 of 49 Cartesian move executions achieved a “desired” result (minimal error at the goal)
Only 3 were classified as "minimum acceptable" or "unsatisfactory"
Moreover, the team benchmarked algorithm performance across both hardware and simulation environments. While both platforms showed excellent convergence behavior, physical hardware introduced subtle differences in path curvature and command saturation—attributable to real-world constraints like cable elasticity and latency.
Practical Implications for Planetary Robotics
The key takeaway from Puig-Navarro’s talk is that the Cartesian move algorithm is a powerful and practical solution for tasks requiring final-position accuracy in environments where traditional robot arms are impractical or infeasible. For operations where the path shape is also critical (e.g., obstacle avoidance or coordination with other manipulators), the team recommends using trajectory-tracking or path-following algorithms instead.
Dr. Joshua Moser’s talk, "Bridging the Gap Between Humans and Robotic Systems in Autonomous Task Scheduling," explored the integration of human decision-making with autonomous task scheduling to enhance operational efficiency in space environments. The core focus was on the sequencing and allocation of tasks and crucial elements in ensuring smooth execution of autonomous operations, particularly in scenarios involving data collection, mining, offloading, assembly, repair, maintenance, and outfitting.
Moser discussed various approaches to task sequencing, emphasizing the importance of dependencies and workflow constraints. He introduced Mixed Integer Programming (MIP) and Genetic Algorithms as computational techniques for optimizing task execution order, ensuring efficiency and feasibility in robotic operations. Similarly, task allocation was analyzed through the lens of an agent’s capabilities, location, and travel constraints — highlighting the necessity of considering independence, dependencies, and failure probabilities when assigning work to robotic systems.
A significant aspect of the presentation was the role of human-autonomy collaboration. Moser distinguished between "human-in-the-loop" and "human-on-the-loop" frameworks, where humans either actively direct autonomous systems or oversee their operations with minimal intervention, respectively. The key challenge lies in creating interfaces that enable intuitive human interaction with autonomy; leveraging graphical representations, large language models (LLMs), and interactive visualization tools.
Moser uses the LSMS (Lightweight Surface Manipulation System) as an example of real-world applications, illustrating how autonomous scheduling can optimize payload offloading using a cable-driven crane and rover system. The emphasis on graphical task-agent visualization and intuitive user inputs (such as click-and-drag interfaces) reflected an effort to make autonomy more interpretable and manageable by human operators.
In the broader context of NASA’s in-space assembly efforts, Moser’s work aligns with ongoing initiatives aimed at enabling autonomous robotic construction and maintenance of space infrastructure. As NASA pushes toward large-scale space structures—such as modular space habitats, solar power stations, and next-generation observatories—intelligent task scheduling and allocation mechanisms become increasingly critical. Bridging the gap between human cognition and robotic automation will be essential to achieving scalable and resilient in-space assembly systems, reducing reliance on direct human intervention while ensuring mission success in unpredictable environments.
Me:
I presented on "Trust-Informed Large Language Models via Word Embedding-Knowledge Graph Alignment," exploring innovative methods to enhance the reliability and accuracy of large language models. The central theme of my presentation was addressing the critical challenge of hallucinations,instances where LLMs generate plausible yet incorrect information, particularly problematic in high-stakes fields such as aerospace, healthcare, and financial services.
My research investigates the integration of LLMs with knowledge graphs, structured representations of real-world knowledge, to foster intrinsic evaluation of information credibility without external verification sources. Specifically, I discussed aligning word embeddings, mathematical representations of words capturing semantic relationships, with knowledge graph embeddings which encode entities and their interconnections. By merging these two types of embeddings into a unified vector space, the resultant model significantly improves its ability to evaluate the plausibility of generated content intrinsically, thus reducing its dependence on external systems and mitigating the risk of hallucinations.
During the presentation, I provided a comprehensive survey of existing alignment methods, including mapping-based approaches, joint embedding techniques, and the application of graph neural networks. Additionally, I outlined key applications where this methodology could significantly enhance trust in AI systems, particularly in safety-critical decision-making environments such as aerospace operations.
Lastly, I addressed the technical, methodological, and ethical challenges that accompany this integration, offering insights into future research directions to further develop robust, trustworthy AI. My work aims not only to advance understanding of language models but also to contribute practically to developing safer, more reliable AI systems that can independently discern truth from misinformation.
VII. Conclusion
The 2025 AIAA SciTech Forum exemplified the integration of cutting-edge technology with strategic foresight in the aerospace domain. Several overarching themes were repeated throughout the conference such as the imperative to develop space systems that are resilient by design, capable of dynamic, distributed response to emergent threats by targeted research and development in Distributed Resilience. Additionally, the transformative role of exascale computing in enabling high-fidelity simulations that drive both fundamental research and applied technology development. Finally, the promise of artificial intelligence to not only optimize operational efficiency but also fundamentally alter the relationship between human decision-making and information processing.
As I return to my work at NASA Langley, I'm reminded that innovation often happens at the boundaries between fields. The conversations in hallways, the unexpected connections between presentations, and the diverse perspectives of over 6,000 attendees all contribute to pushing aerospace forward. In an era where the challenges are "ridiculously hard" (to borrow Dr. Leshin's phrase), our solutions must be equally ambitious—and thoroughly collaborative.
The path from Earth to a sustained presence on the Moon and Mars will require not just technological breakthroughs, but a fundamental shift in how we approach complex systems. The 2025 SciTech Forum showed that the aerospace community is ready for this challenge, armed with distributed thinking, unprecedented computational tools, and a commitment to building AI systems worthy of our trust.
- Jim
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