Leah H. Jamieson, John A. Edwardson Dean of Engineering, Purdue University, announced that Tom I-P. Shih, currently Professor and Chair, Department of Aerospace Engineering at Iowa State University, will become the next head of the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics effective August 17, 2009.

Purdue alumni Mark Polansky and David Wolf, who are currently on the shuttle Endeavour's mission to the international space station, provided a video message for the NASA celebration of the Apollo program on Monday (July 20).

On July 20, 1969, Purdue alumnus Neil Armstrong took his famous "small step" into history as the first human to set foot on the moon.

On May 8 2009, the test facility for the Wave Rotor Combustor Rig (WRCR) was opened at the Maurice Zucrow Laboratories in the Annex of the High Pressure Laboratory (HPL). "We obtained valuable data from the initial test operation," says Dr. Shimo.

AAE is pleased to announce that Professor Kathleen C. Howell has agreed to serve as Interim Head of Aeronautics and Astronautics. The search committee continues to make good progress and looks forward to a successful conclusion of the search in the near future.

At the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11, Purdue researchers are focused not only on returning to the moon but also reaching beyond. Take a look at how communications support, rocket design, fuel injection, and a new drop tower bring us closer to our goals. [PDF]

Thomas N. Farris joined the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics in 1986. After 23 years of service to Purdue University, including eleven as head of the school, Farris has been named Dean of the School of Engineering at Rutgers University.

Commander Mark Polansky and mission specialist David Wolf will fly on the June 13 NASA expedition to the international space station. The shuttle Endeavour will deliver the final components of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo lab and ferry a new crew member to the station.

The School of Aeronautics and Astronautics welcomes new faculty member Dr. Dengfeng Sun. He joins the school as Assistant Professor in the Aerospace Systems and Dynamics & Control groups beginning in the fall of 2009.

The School of Aeronautics and Astronautics welcomes new faculty member Dr. Vikas Tomar. He joins the school as Assistant Professor in the structures and materials group beginning in the fall of 2009.