EASN Newsletter - October 2023

On behalf of the EASN Association and the University of Salerno we would like to cordially thank all the participants of the 13th EASN International Conference on Innovation in Aviation & Space for Opening New Horizons.

Special thanks are due to the prestigious Keynote Speakers, Session Chairs, Authors and Presenters, the International Scientific Committee and the Organizing Committee for making this event one more successful gathering of the European Aviation & Space Community!!!

The event included 8 Keynote Speeches, more than 380 technical presentations and feedback slots distributed in 65 sessions and workshops. 

Moreover, 65 Aviation & Space Projects disseminated their latest research results as well as the future trends in the respective technological fields. In total, 410 participants from 39 countries attended the 13th EASN International Conference.

Like its predecessors, the conference has proved to be a major European Dissemination event for research in Aviation & Space, providing a forum for EU funded project’s activities, where innovative ideas, breakthrough concepts, and disruptive technologies are presented and discussed with the aim to establish new research partnerships and possible synergies. In addition, a number of European policy development projects also found the floor to present future strategic priorities.

The Keynote Speeches given by distinguished personalities of the European Aviation& Space sector have been among the highlights of the event. The conference delegates were updated on the future Industrial trends and the European priorities with respect to the medium and long-term goals. More specifically: 

- Mr. Andreas Boschen, Executive Director of SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking, presented the topic “Delivering the Digital European Sky”.

- Dr. Stefania Cantoni, Head of Large Ground Testing Facilities, Demonstrators and Prototyping at CIRA (Italian Aerospace Research Centre), gave the speech entitled: “Space Structures: the role of new materials and innovative structures”.

- Mr. Daniel Nölke, European Commission, DG DEFIS, unit "Innovation and New Space – Space Defence", made a presentation about “EU Space Research and Innovation 2.0 - Preparing (for) the Future Space Ecosystem”.

- Prof. Sabine Klinkner, Chair of Satellite Technology, Institute of Space Systems at the University of Stuttgart, gave a keynote speech on “Enabling technologies for lunar exploration”.

- Mr. Axel Krein, Executive Director of the Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking, shared his viewpoint about “Clean Aviation: the ticket to zero-emission flight”.

- Mr. Pascal Piot, Head of EU & International Cooperation for R&T programs department at Dassault Aviation, gave a fruitful presentation entitled “Towards decarbonisation of bizjets and digital certification of disruptive technologies”.

- Dr. Marco Protti, Vice President of Advanced Research at LEONARDO, presented on “Sustainability and Digitalisation: the paradigms for a new era of aeronautics”.

- Mr. John Santurbano, Director of Maastricht Upper Area Control Centre (MUAC), spoke about “Bridging research and operations in ATM: The MUAC success stories”.

Several of the Conference's keynote Presentations are now published and can be found here.

Furthermore, significant conference highlights were:

The 5 workshops organized with the support of CINEA - European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency with the participation of 25 running aviation-related projects on: 

- Local Air Quality
- UAS Safety
- Hydrogen in Aviation
- Sustainable UAM concepts
- Digitalization of Manufacturing, Sustainable Manufacturing and MRO

The stimulating discussions and productive exchanges between the projects and the audience proved once again of the bottom-up approach of the collaborative research, the strong interaction between projects through clusters and the need of such projects to feed higher TRL projects closer to the market.

The 6 Clean Sky 2 and Clean Aviation showcases presenting the achievements made so far and the ambitious concepts and roadmaps in achieving the mid- and long-term targets set in the programme. In particular, the dedicated sessions included:

- Propelling the future with efficiency and sustainability: The promise of Distributed Electrical Propulsion for a New Era of Aviation (CS2)
- The GENESIS project (CS2)
- The T-WING project (CS2)
- Certification Aspects in Aviation (Clean Aviation)
- Ultra-Efficient Short and Medium Range (SMR) aircraft (Clean Aviation)
- The HERWINGT project (Clean Aviation)

On the fourth day of the event, conference attendees had the chance to visit the Italian Aerospace Research Center (CIRA) and gain valuable insights into the Italian research ecosystem. 

The Proceedings of the 13th EASN International Conference will be published by IOP Publishing Ltd in the respective open-access volume by the Journal of Physics: Conference Series. Proceedings are an important part of the scientific record, documenting and preserving work presented at the EASN Conferences throughout the years. 

Further to the proceedings, selected full papers will be published in three international journals, following peer review: Aerospace - Open Access Journal, Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology (AEAT) and Journal of Composite Science – MDPI.

Health, Green development and production, digitisation - these are the social issues that the European Union (EU) is addressing in the ninth research framework programme "Horizon Europe". From 2021 to 2027, the programme has a budget of 95.5 billion Euros and is intended to promote European research and economically viable innovations. Like its predecessor, Horizon Europe is structured around three priorities (Scientific Excellence, Global Challenges and Industrial Competitiveness of Europe, Innovative Europe), which are divided into different clusters.

Space Research and Innovation (R&I) is funded with 1.6 billion Euros and aims at sustaining modern EU space flagships (Galileo, Copernicus, IRIS², SSA) and at increasing European competitiveness, non-dependence and innovation in the European space sector as well as fostering science and exploration. Space R&I support the European digital and green transformation and contribute to solutions to current problems, such as the climate crisis.

Continuous efforts in Space R&I, producing cutting-edge technologies and excellent sciences, are necessary to ensure, on the one hand, that the EU space infrastructure remains resilient and continues providing state of the art services and, on the other hand, that the EU develops new, strategically relevant capabilities for future space activities.

Read the full interview on the EASN website respective page.

The DOMMINIO project – "Digital method for imprOved Manufacturing of next-generation MultIfuNctIOnal airframe parts" was launched on January 20, 2021, and our devoted researchers focus on developing an innovative data-driven methodology encompassing the design, manufacturing, maintenance, and pre-certification of multifunctional and intelligent airframe parts. Our vision is clear: to achieve cost-effective, efficient, and sustainable manufacturing of high-quality aircraft components, leveraging the following technologies: • Robotic Technologies (ATL, FFF) for precision manufacturing, • Advanced Simulation Tools for optimized performance, • Online Process & Quality Monitoring for real-time insights, • Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) with data-driven fault detection capabilities. 

DOMMINIO participated in the 13th EASN Conference and joined a session conscientiously organized by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) with the sister H2020 projects GENEX, MORPHO, CAELESTIS SUNSTAINair, and INFINITE, aiming at unveiling the boundless possibilities that lie ahead for the Digitalization of Manufacturing, Sustainable Manufacturing, and MRO. 

Furthermore, DOMMINIO partners traveled on the 18th – 19th of July upon the Auvergne Rhône Alpes, crossing unbounded sunflowers and cobs areas, and gathered at the impressive Centre Technique Industriel de la Plasturgie et des Composites  (IPC) premises in Oyonnax, France. In this two-day meeting, work package leaders presented their latest results achieved these thirty (30) months, discussed the progress made so far in the project, and arranged the next steps. On the second day, they enjoyed a guided tour of the IPC facilities, allowing all partners to see in person the equipment used and the actual DOMMINIO work in progress.

DOMMINIO  feverishly continues its dissemination activities and proudly released its 4th episode  of the video series “Ask The Researcher” and the 3rd DOMMINIO newsletter, presenting the  findings from its recent milestone - "Functional Materials Engineering and Manufacturing Systems - WP3." 

For more information and regular updates on the DOMMINIO project, visit the DOMMINIO official website and DOMMINIO social media pages: LinkedIn | Twitter | Youtube | ZENODO.

The EPIIC project (Enhanced Pilot Interfaces & Interactions for fighter Cockpit) aims to enhance air power capabilities and ensure air dominance through the development of innovative and disruptive technologies. It focuses on creating a symbiotic teaming between systems and pilots, where pilots oversee all manned and unmanned platforms under their responsibility in complex air combat scenarios. By addressing the technological challenges of future air warfare and collaborative combat, EPIIC aims to revolutionize the capabilities of fighter cockpits.

Key features of the EPIIC project include adaptive human-machine interface, innovative virtual assistant interactions, large area display curved and free form, helmet-mounted display, canopy projection, innovative interactions, and disruptive crew monitoring systems. These cutting-edge technologies enable pilots to effectively supervise and interact with various platforms, enhancing situational awareness and decision-making in the cockpit.

The EPIIC team is made up of more than twenty organizations from twelve European countries. The team encompasses major industrial tier-one companies but also University Research departments, innovative start-ups and SMEs: all the best-in-class of the European competences. EPIIC will foster European cross border cooperation to achieve European technological autonomy.

The project's physical kick-off meeting, hosted by EPIIC coordinator Thales, marked the beginning of this ambitious endeavor and was held on the 26th and 27th of January 2023 in Paris, 

Stay tuned for more updates on the EPIIC project's progress as it continues to shape the future of interactive cockpit technologies and advance air power capabilities.Follow us on social media platforms to receive regular updates, news, and insights into the project's progress.

For more information and regular updates regarding EPIIC, visit the project’s official website and social media pages: LinkedIn | Twitter.

FUTPRINT50: Pioneering Hybrid-Electric Aviation
FUTPRINT50's groundbreaking journey towards a hybrid-electric 50-seat regional aircraft has not only yielded impressive results but has also paved the way for a clear and comprehensive design process. It encompasses the development of the entire powertrain and the corresponding aircraft design. The FUTPRINT50 Roadmap serves as a vital guide, highlighting the future challenges in successfully implementing hybrid-electric propulsion in regional aviation.

Before FUTPRINT50, there was a notable gap in systematic and in-depth scientific exploration and assessment, essential for establishing a research platform for future systems. FUTPRINT50 has bridged this gap, offering meticulous scientific analyses and modeling of hybrid-electric propulsion and power generation, all integrated at the aircraft level. The project has made significant strides in advancing key technologies, ultimately reducing emissions and the aviation industry's reliance on fossil fuels, aligning with the goals of Flightpath2050.

The open-source integrated tool environment provided by FUTPRINT50 offers a structured path -from initial assumptions through preliminary sizing and subsystem development to the overarching aircraft design. This approach allows for sensitivity studies and Figures of Merit (FoM) assessments, enabling the evaluation of various powertrain architectures and aircraft designs, adaptable to different use cases.

Moreover, FUTPRINT50 has established a robust international collaboration network, fostering the creation of disruptive concepts for hybrid-electric aircraft. The FUTPRINT50 Academy has played a crucial role in preparing future professionals to tackle the upcoming challenges. FUTPRINT50's holistic approach, scientific rigor, and collaborative spirit are driving aviation towards a sustainable and electrifying future.

Explore more at http://futprint50.eu/roadmap and discover the transformational potential of hybrid-electric aviation.

The H2ELIOS team has achieved remarkable milestones in recent months, pushing the boundaries of sustainable aviation with groundbreaking progress. We're thrilled to provide you with a glimpse of our latest achievements:

The 1st Steering Committee & 2nd Technical Committee for H2ELIOS
These highly productive meetings marked an important milestone in our mission to revolutionize hydrogen storage solutions for a sustainable future in aviation.Engaging in discussions, sharing of insights, and collaborative efforts highlighted the progress made and charted the course for our next steps.

H2ELIOS at the Paris Airshow 2023 (PAS 23)
H2ELIOS has taken a momentous leap forward by participating in the prestigious Paris Air Show 2023. This significant event showcased our commitment to revolutionizing aviation with hydrogen-powered solutions. Our presence at this global stage marks a pivotal milestone in our journey towards sustainable flight.

H2ELIOS at the EASN Conference 2023
H2ELIOS reached another milestone by actively participating in the EASN Conference 2023. Our involvement in this prestigious event underscores our dedication to advancing sustainable aviation. It was an excellent opportunity to share insights and collaborate with experts in the field.

We invite you to stay connected with the H2ELIOS project by visiting our website and subscribing to our newsletter. Follow us on social media platforms to receive regular updates, news, and insights into the project's progress. Your engagement and support are crucial in shaping the future of hydrogen-based energy solutions. For more information and regular updates regarding H2ELIOS, visit the project’s official website and social media pages: LinkedIn | Twitter.

ORU-BOAS (Orbital Replacement Unit - based on Building Blocks for Advanced Assembly of Space Systems) commenced its journey, where we're reshaping space systems through an innovative concept. Our dedicated researchers are focused on an ambitious goal: enabling the assembly, repair, and deployment of space infrastructures right in orbit. With a strong focus on in-orbit services, we're striving to develop an advanced ORU-BOAS standard module, taking it up to an impressive TRL5/6 level.

This versatile plug-in module will be compatible with a wide range of payloads and will feature standard interfaces to seamlessly interact with other ORUs, satellite platforms, robotics elements, and the elements outlined in the "Plan European Roadmap and Activities for Space Exploitation of Robotics and Autonomy" (PERASPERA) roadmap.

With the project's 1st-year completion approaching, the ORU-BOAS consortium accomplished its initial milestones and released its 1st newsletter, presenting the startling findings from our Technology Review/System Requirements (SRR) and excitingly peek into the progress we've made so far. 

Last but not least, our partner SENER proudly joined the technical session "Cooperative and Robotic Space Systems" at the 74th International Astronautical Congress and introduced the work entitled "Developing Reusable Building Blocks for Satellite Modularization," Unfolding a Path toward an Autonomous Robotic Mission.

For more information and regular updates visit the ORU-BOAS official website and our social pages LinkedIn | Twitter. 

ECARE (European Clean Aviation Regional Ecosystem), a Clean Aviation project launched at the beginning of 2023, aims to develop and disseminate methodologies for creating synergy mechanisms applicable to all EU aeronautical regions and to enable the European aeronautical industry achieve the ambitious targets of the CA JU Programme, while maximising public funding impact and efficiency. To achieve these ambitious goals, during the past months, the ECARE consortium has been developing the ECARE Taxonomy, which is used as a reference measurement system throughout the different mappings of projects, funding, and stakeholders’ competences, allowing the team to analyse the funding landscape and serving as the foundation for the ECARE digital platform. The consortium has also interviewed key aeronautical stakeholders in France, Italy and Germany, through which data was collected about the interviewee’s experiences with funding, synergies, as well as feedback was obtained for the ECARE taxonomy and digital platform. Additionally, National Workshops were organized in June 2023 in all three countries, mainly with national and regional funding bodies.

Moreover, the ECARE Stakeholders Group (ESG) has been growing, currently with 19 members from 9 countries. Finally, a Transnational Workshop will be taking place on November 28th 2023 in Brussels at the CAJU premises. Further details on the upcoming ECARE Transnational Workshop, including information on how to register, can be found here.

Find out more about ECARE on the project official website and make sure to follow our social media pages on Twitter and LinkedIn, for more exciting news and updates!