The National Institute of Aerospace (NIA) is a non-profit research and graduate education institute created to conduct innovative aerospace and atmospheric research, develop new technologies for the nation and help inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers. NIA serves as a strategic partner with NASA Langley Research Center and the aerospace community to enable research creativity and expand technology development opportunities. The Institute integrates research and graduate education while creating new government, academia, and industry partnerships to solve tomorrow’s problems today.

The 2050s aviation landscape will incorporate new technologies and designs, enabling new aircraft to fly safer, faster, cleaner, and quieter. This future landscape includes the use of alternative fuels (electric, hydrogen, ammonia, sustainable aviation fuel, etc.), increased efficiency in the use of existing fuels, and changes to the shapes and designs of commercial aircraft. These advancements will require infrastructure updates or design overhauls to existing or new airports. Blue Skies challenges teams to evaluate the future landscape and propose designs to accommodate new climate-friendly aviation technologies in an “airports of tomorrow” concept.

Requirements:

• Teams of 2 - 6 undergraduate and/or graduate students at an accredited US-based college

• One US citizen faculty advisor with a university affiliation at a U.S.-based institution

• 2 U.S. citizen students from a U.S. based university who work on the project and present at the Blue Skies Forum

• 6 student team maximum

Submission deadline is March 3, 2022 with the winners announced April 7, 2022