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CATER named an official University of Central Florida research center

The Center for Advanced Turbomachinery and Energy Research (CATER) is expanding its mission and reach as an official university center. CATER will focus on areas like hypersonics, national security, energy and sustainability, advanced air mobility, and space power and propulsion.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida College of Engineering and Computer Science·DateJun 25, 2026
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Ohio State scientists advance focus on nuclear propulsion

Researchers at Ohio State University are developing a new nuclear thermal propulsion system, called the centrifugal nuclear thermal rocket (CNTR), which could potentially double an engine's efficiency. The CNTR concept aims to improve rocket performance while minimizing risk and enabling faster travel times to distant destinations.

SourceOhio State University·JournalActa Astronautica·DateSep 11, 2025

Novel machine learning model can predict material failure before it happens

A Lehigh University team developed a novel machine learning method to predict abnormal grain growth in materials, enabling the creation of stronger, more reliable materials. The model successfully predicted abnormal grain growth in 86% of cases, with predictions made up to 20% of the material's lifetime.

SourceLehigh University·Journalnpj Computational Materials·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 16, 2025

Program’s expansion boosts student research opportunities

UTA's expansion of its undergraduate research program has enabled students to present their work at major symposiums, including the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics conference. The program has strengthened students' commitment to pursuing graduate studies in various fields.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·DateFeb 26, 2025
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

MIT engineers develop a fully 3D-printed electrospray engine

MIT engineers have developed a fully 3D-printed electrospray engine that can be produced rapidly and at a lower cost than traditional thrusters. The device generates stable and uniform flow of propellant, producing as much or more thrust than existing droplet-emitting electrospray engines.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalAdvanced Science·DateFeb 13, 2025

KAIST develops AI-driven performance prediction model to advance space electric propulsion technology​

The KAIST research team developed an AI-based technique to accurately predict Hall thruster performance, significantly reducing the time and cost associated with iterative design, fabrication, and testing. The trained neural network ensemble model offers detailed analyses of performance parameters, accounting for key design variables.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalAdvanced Intelligent Systems·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 4, 2025

New Department of Defense funding is propelling UCF hypersonic technology

The University of Central Florida is establishing itself as a leader in hypersonics and space propulsion research with substantial new funding from the US Department of Defense. The funding will support the construction of a hypersonic testing facility, flight experiments and further advancements of the technology.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·DateMay 6, 2024
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

The roar and crackle of Artemis 1

Researchers measured noise levels at locations around the launch pad, finding maximum sound levels exceeded predicted values by nearly 20 decibels. The study's findings will help validate and improve existing noise prediction models to protect equipment and surrounding environments.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJASA Express Letters·DateFeb 14, 2023

New laser-based instrument designed to boost hydrogen research

Researchers developed a new analytical instrument using an ultrafast laser to measure hydrogen concentration and temperature, advancing greener hydrogen-based fuel studies. The instrument's capabilities will help develop more environmentally friendly propulsion engines.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Express·DateSep 13, 2022
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Rocket engine exhaust pollution extends high into Earth's atmosphere

Researchers found rocket exhaust gases can remain high in altitude, producing thermal nitrogen oxides and carbon dioxide that can affect the Earth's climate. The team modeled fluid dynamics of rocket exhaust gases to understand the impact on atmospheric pollution.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateMay 17, 2022

Finding the cause of a fatal problem in rocket engine combustors

Researchers found significant periodic flow velocity fluctuations in fuel injector ignite combustion oscillations, leading to high mechanical stress on the combustion chamber. The findings provide a reasonable answer for why these oscillations occur and have significant implications for preventing fatal damage in critical engines.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalPhysics of Fluids·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 2, 2021

Fuel flow, heat fluctuations drive dangerous oscillations in rocket engines

Researchers have discovered that power source clusters near rocket engine fuel injectors can cause combustion oscillations, leading to structural damage and unsafe operating conditions. The study uses symbolic dynamics and complex networks to understand the feedback processes that give rise to these oscillations.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateJun 15, 2021
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Student research team develops hybrid rocket engine

A University of Illinois student research team successfully designed a hybrid rocket engine that uses paraffin and Nytrox, overcoming previous failures with nitrous oxide. The team's perseverance was aided by collaborations with Purdue University and Zucrow Laboratories.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·DateAug 27, 2020

Under pressure, nontoxic salt-based propellant performs well

Researchers at the University of Illinois have studied the combustion velocity of a nontoxic salt-based propellant called FAM-110A. The findings indicate that the propellant has a Goldilocks zone where its burn rate is neither too high nor too low, making it suitable for rocket engine design.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalCombustion and Flame·DateAug 18, 2020

UCF researchers develop groundbreaking new rocket-propulsion system

Researchers at the University of Central Florida have developed a rotating detonation rocket engine that can sustain continuous Mach 5 explosions, improving rocket-engine efficiency and reducing fuel consumption. This technology has the potential to increase space mission capabilities and reduce emissions.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalCombustion and Flame·DateApr 30, 2020

Scientific machine learning paves way for rapid rocket engine design

Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin are developing a new scientific machine learning method to reduce the time and cost of designing rocket engines. By creating reduced-order models that can run in seconds, rather than minutes or weeks, engineers can test performance in different conditions more quickly and safely. This br...

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalAIAA Journal·DateApr 16, 2020
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Simple, fuel-efficient rocket engine could enable cheaper, lighter spacecraft

Researchers at the University of Washington developed a mathematical model that describes how rotating detonation engines work. The model allows engineers to determine whether an engine is stable or unstable and assess its performance. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and lightweight spacecraft.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalPhysical Review E·DateFeb 18, 2020

Study tests performance of electric solid propellant

Researchers have conducted experiments to understand the behavior of a high-performance electric propellant compared to a traditional propellant. The results indicate that the electric solid propellant ablates about two times more than the traditional propellant.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalJournal of Propulsion and Power·DateSep 3, 2019

Developing a flight strategy to land heavier vehicles on Mars

Researchers have developed a new flight strategy to land heavier vehicles on Mars by eliminating parachutes and using larger rocket engines. The approach optimizes the lift vector to minimize propellant usage, enabling vehicles to carry more payload while reducing costs.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalJournal of Spacecraft and Rockets·DateFeb 11, 2019

Rocket mystery explained with new imaging technique

A new imaging technique helps demystify the cause of explosive sound waves in rockets, revealing spinning acoustic waves that gain destructive power as they rotate around the combustion chamber. The study provides a clearer understanding of this phenomenon and brings scientists closer to preventing its occurrence.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·DateApr 9, 2008
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Roger scramjet

A new kind of cruise missile engine, called a scramjet, has been tested to achieve Mach 6.5 speeds in simulated hypersonic conditions, outperforming traditional ramjets. The engine is being developed for use in the HyFly joint DARPA/ONR Flight Demo program, aiming to launch missiles at speeds up to Mach 6 and ranges of 600 nautical miles.

SourceOffice of Naval Research·DateJul 9, 2002

Marshall Center's Fastrac engine team wins technology award

The Marshall Center's Fastrac engine team has developed a 60,000-pound-thrust engine with reduced costs through innovative design and commercial off-the-shelf parts. The team achieved this feat in under three years, significantly faster than usual for rocket engines.

SourceNASA/Marshall Space Flight Center News Center·DateMay 17, 2000
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

NEAR Spacecraft Set For January 3 Main Engine Burn

The Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) spacecraft is preparing for a January 3, 1999, engine burn to rendezvous with asteroid 433 Eros. The spacecraft will increase its speed by 2,100 mph and enter orbit around Eros after catching up with the asteroid in mid-February 2000.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·DateDec 31, 1998