The Future Takes Flight at Maryland

In 2025, students and faculty earned national recognition, advanced NASA- and DARPA-supported research, and translated innovation into real-world solutions, from hydrogen-powered VTOL design and space-habitat systems to medical drone delivery in remote communities.

With major faculty honors, student achievement, and the Glenn L. Martin Wind Tunnel designated a Vertical Flight Heritage Site, the year reflects both a legacy of excellence and a future in motion.

These highlights represent just a few of the many achievements that defined UMD Aerospace in 2025.

Students Sweep 2025 VFS Student Design Competition

Both graduate and undergraduate teams earned top honors in the 2025 Vertical Flight Society Student Design Competition for advancing zero-emission vertical flight. Read more.

Two Teams Among Twelve Selected for NASA’s M2M X-Hab Challenge

Two student-led UMD teams earned selection for NASA’s M2M X-Hab Challenge, tackling critical challenges in spacesuit life support and planetary habitats. Read more.

Akin Receives 2025 ICES Award for Technical Excellence

Professor David Akin received the 2025 Technical Excellence Award from the International Conference on Environmental Systems for a lifetime of contributions advancing technologies that make human life in space possible. Read more.

Robot-Assisted Triage: UMD Team Answers the Challenge

Through DARPA’s Triage Challenge, UMD’s RoboScout team is refining how autonomous robots and humans work together to improve emergency response. Read more.

Nguyen Lands DARPA Young Faculty Award

Award support advances Tam Nguyen’s research that could speed detection of faint objects in space. Read more.

Seven Students Receive 2025 Vertical Flight Foundation Scholarships

Vertical Flight Foundation awards recognize the world’s most talented engineering students pursuing careers in vertical flight. Read more.

Medical Drone Delivery

A pilot program led by UMD’s UAS Research and Operations Center could improve access to critical medicines in remote communities. Read more.

Four Aerospace Engineering Faculty Named AIAA Associate Fellows

Faculty members Brent Barbee, Liam Healy, Michael Otte, and Umberto Saetti were named to the AIAA class of 2026 Associate Fellows. Read more.

Pines Named to National Academy of Inventors

UMD President and Glenn L. Martin Professor of Aerospace Engineering Darryll J. Pines was named a 2025 NAI Fellow for advancing aerospace technologies from lab to application. Read more.

Glenn L. Martin Wind Tunnel Designated a Vertical Flight Heritage Site

The Vertical Flight Society designation recognizes the Glenn L. Martin Wind Tunnel’s many contributions to the evolution of vertical flight. Read more.

Published January 27, 2026