Aerospace innovation for a safe and sustainable world

Read more Aerospace innovation for a safe and sustainable world

The women of Aerospace Engineering

Read more The women of Aerospace Engineering

We have to fly less. And make flying climate-neutral.

Read more We have to fly less. And make flying climate-neutral.

Watch our Sustainable Aviation virtual lab tour video

Read more Watch our Sustainable Aviation virtual lab tour video

Faculty of Aerospace Engineering

Faculty of Aerospace Engineering

News

Jeroen Wink Named TU Delft Alumnus of the Year 2026

Alumnus Jeroen Wink, co-founder and Chief Revenue Officer of Dawn Aerospace. Through his pioneering work in sustainable space technology and his role in building a globally recognised aerospace company, Wink is helping to create a future in which spaceflight becomes more accessible, sustainable, and economically viable.

The Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets have lost over 11 trillion tonnes of ice since 1979

Three scientists from Delft are taking part in the global research collaboration involving polar researchers: Pavel Ditmar, Ernst Schrama and Bert Wouters contributed to determining the total mass loss of Greenland and Antarctica using satellite data. On 16 September, the consortium published the research findings in the Nature journal Scientific Data.

Bio-inspired whiskers enable tiny drones to navigate in darkness using touch

Tiny autonomous drones could soon navigate through darkness, dust and smoke using artificial whiskers inspired by animals. Their small size limits the use of large or heavy sensors for navigation. That's why researchers from TU Delft have developed a lightweight whisker-based tactile sensor that enables drones to navigate and explore their surroundings through gentle touch. The study was recently published in Nature Communications.

De PRISM-payload met de fotonische chip (voorzien van een asymmetrische Mach-Zehnder-interferometer), laser en fotodiode, samen met het Delfi-Connect-satellietplatform waarop deze zal vliegen.

From lab to space: TU Delft-led mission to test photonic chip in orbit

The Netherlands is a leader in both photonic chips and space technology. Now these two worlds meet, as two teams at TU Delft’s Faculty of Aerospace Engineering are joining forces. One develops miniature satellites, the other uses advanced photonic chips to search for signs of life. Together, they will bring a photonic sensing system from the lab to a TU Delft-built satellite.

Drones navigating by touch: ERC Starting Grant for Salua Hamaza

Dr. Salua Hamaza, Associate Professor Aerial Physical Interaction & Embodied Intelligence in Aerial robots, has been awarded an ERC Starting Grant of €1.62 million to develop a game changer. She will pioneer tactile perception as a new sensing modality for autonomous flight, allowing drones to use touch for navigation in a five-year research programme.

Onderzoeker houdt een drone vast die met uitgestrekte grijper naar een tak tast voor landing

Like a bird, this drone feels its way to a safe landing

A drone monitoring a rainforest could last much longer by landing on a branch and switching off its motors instead of continuously hovering. But reliable landings are difficult: as the drone approaches a branch, its own gripper can block the camera’s view. Researchers at TU Delft have developed a drone that does something more like a bird: it feels for a branch before landing.

Windturbine op een rots, symbool voor duurzame energie en kleine aanpassingen voor grotere impact

Small-scale design changes, big improvements in wind turbine sustainability

Modern wind turbine blades must become more sustainable and circular but still have to be able to withstand decades of massive (wind) loads. In two recent research papers in Advanced Science and Advanced Materials researchers at TU Delft show that changes to the architecture of wind turbine materials at microscopic scale can successfully lengthen the durability and improve the sustainability of wind turbines. The two research projects, both part of the NWO-funded LICHEN BLADES project, investigate how to decrease rain erosion of turbine tips and how adding minerals can strengthen flax fibres.

Prof. Eberhard Gill passed away

It is with disbelief and great sadness that we have been informed that Prof. Eberhard Gill passed away last Thursday, July 16, 2026. In January of this year, Eberhard retired somewhat early, but full of energy and plans for the future. He spoke with love about the opportunity to spend more time with his wife Margit, children, and grandchildren. It is very sad that this is not to be.

Delft researchers receive NWO grant under the KIC Space technology programme

The Dutch Research Council (NWO) has awarded over 5.3 million euros in funding within the KIC call ‘Robust and resilient space infrastructure for a safe Netherlands’.
Through co-funding, a further 1.5 million will be contributed by companies and other organisations.

> More news

Stories of Aerospace Engineering

Cardiologist applies aviation models to healthcare

Modern aircraft automatically remain within their safety limits whilst in flight. The boundaries of an aircraft’s safe ‘flight envelope’ are continuously calculated using complex and changing data on factors such as the aircraft’s current speed, altitude, load and weight. Cardiologist and intensivist Christiaan Meuwese of Erasmus MC drew inspiration from aviation safety models. Together with aviation expert Joris Melkert of Delft University of Technology, he developed a new concept to calculate personal safety margins for patients as well.

Looking beyond the end of the wind turbine blade

The tips of wind turbine blades sometimes rotate at speeds of several hundred kilometres per hour. At such high speeds, precipitation can cause considerable damage to the coating of a blade, resulting in loss of energy production. Using rain experiments, Structures and Materials researcher Julie Teuwen mapped out the impact of precipitation on wind turbine blades.

Open Your Ears: Building a sounder future through open science

Noise pollution is one of the most pressing environmental health challenges across Europe. Often overlooked in the design of modern products and infrastructure, sound plays a vital role in both human well-being and technological progress. In response to this need, Open Your Ears, a collaborative project at TU Delft led by Assistant Professor Roberto Merino Martinez, is developing open-source tools to transform the way we assess and design sound—making it more accessible, realistic, and meaningful.

Using quantum technology to find the strongest and lightest composite for aeroplanes

How do you find the most optimal combination when there are countless options? Using a quantum algorithm, Associate Professor Boyang Chen is searching for the best stacking sequence of fibres in composites to create the lightest and strongest material for aircraft. The QAIMS Lab that Chen founded at TU Delft, is the first research team in the world to use quantum computing for this application. In the coming years, Chen hopes to work with aircraft manufacturer Airbus to discover the possibilities of the quantum algorithm for the industry: how much profit can be made from it and of course how can it contribute to cleaner aviation?

The world of gas dynamics turned upside down

It’s 1942, and astrophysicist Hans Bethe, who would later win the Nobel Prize, describes a revolutionary theory. If correct, it will overturn some of the principles of gas dynamics. However, it would take more than 80 years for this to happen. It wasn’t until 2024 that thermodynamicist Piero Colonna and his team at TU Delft found proof of non-classical gas dynamics. ‘As a researcher, you need to give yourself the freedom to pursue your curiosity.’

Discover how Delft’s start-up Dawn Aerospace is revolutionizing spaceflight by creating reusable rockets and eco-friendly propulsion systems. Co-founder Jeroen Wink shares insights on their journey from a student project to a global player, and discusses how Europe can enhance its strategic position in space technology.

Delft’s rocket dreamers building reusable spaceflight

Discover how Delft’s start-up Dawn Aerospace is revolutionizing spaceflight by creating reusable rockets and eco-friendly propulsion systems. Co-founder Jeroen Wink shares insights on their journey from a student project to a global player, and discusses how Europe can enhance its strategic position in space technology.

Supercomputer helps to decrease sound pollution: turn that noise down!

Together with his team of researchers in Delft, Frits de Prenter studies the sound caused by airflows when they come into contact with objects. This research, which requires considerable computing power, is contributing to the development of quieter aircraft, drones, and wind turbines.

A new air traffic puzzle: autonomous drones in the sky

Fast package deliveries to your doorstep, providing medical aid to remote areas, or monitoring large crowds from above—these are all potential applications for autonomous drones. But can this be done safely? Joost Ellerbroek, Assistant Professor of Control & Operations at the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, is exploring how to design Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM). He is working on developing smart algorithms to ensure autonomous drones fly optimal routes without colliding.

The ground truth: airport operations for hydrogen-powered aviation

It is not only aircraft that must be prepared for flying on hydrogen, ground operations at the airport need to run very smoothly too. Quite a challenge when considering the fuelling, space, and safety requirements. The models and simulations developed by Alexei Sharpanskykh, Assistant Professor Operations & Environment, help shape this future.

Mastering fuel flow in hydrogen-powered airplanes

Airplanes powered by liquid hydrogen are expected to play a key role in creating low-emission aviation. But once safely stored on board, an even greater challenge is to control the hydrogen flow and have it reach the engines at the required temperature and pressure. Chiara Falsetti, Assistant Professor in Heat Transfer and Thermal Management for Sustainable Aviation, wants to fully understand how hydrogen flows through airplane fuel pipes.

Cracking and tracking – ultrasonics for hydrogen-powered aviation

Monitoring and ensuring the safety of hydrogen storage tanks over tens of thousands of airplane refuellings presents a unique challenge on the road towards low-emission aviation. Nan Yue, Assistant Professor in the Aerospace Structures and Materials Department, develops ultrasonic technology for detecting the very early signs of cracks appearing in the tank hull.

Flame on for hydrogen-powered aircraft propulsion

Flying on hydrogen eliminates CO2 emissions but comes with challenges in flame stability, NOx emissions and reliability, especially given the strict aviation standards. Francesca De Domenico, Assistant Professor in Sustainable Aircraft Propulsion, sees this as an opportunity to radically re-think and innovate combustion systems for aviation. Her experimental research lays the groundwork for addressing these issues and advancing sustainable flight.

> All Stories of AE

Join us for a lab tour

Join us on a virtual lab tour to get to know some of our people and experience the labs they work in.

Faster to carbon-free aviation

Technological roadmap: how to accelerate the path towards carbon-free aviation

August

Theory in practice: the Ariane rocket motor

September

Doctoral defence M.H.I. Elalfy

AI Augmented Engineering Education Symposium 2026

October

Doctoral defence A. Lecardonnel

Calendar

Jeroen Wink Named TU Delft Alumnus of the Year 2026

Alumnus Jeroen Wink, co-founder and Chief Revenue Officer of Dawn Aerospace. Through his pioneering work in sustainable space technology and his role in building a globally recognised aerospace company, Wink is helping to create a future in which spaceflight becomes more accessible, sustainable, and economically viable.

The Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets have lost over 11 trillion tonnes of ice since 1979

Three scientists from Delft are taking part in the global research collaboration involving polar researchers: Pavel Ditmar, Ernst Schrama and Bert Wouters contributed to determining the total mass loss of Greenland and Antarctica using satellite data. On 16 September, the consortium published the research findings in the Nature journal Scientific Data.

Bio-inspired whiskers enable tiny drones to navigate in darkness using touch

Tiny autonomous drones could soon navigate through darkness, dust and smoke using artificial whiskers inspired by animals. Their small size limits the use of large or heavy sensors for navigation. That's why researchers from TU Delft have developed a lightweight whisker-based tactile sensor that enables drones to navigate and explore their surroundings through gentle touch. The study was recently published in Nature Communications.

De PRISM-payload met de fotonische chip (voorzien van een asymmetrische Mach-Zehnder-interferometer), laser en fotodiode, samen met het Delfi-Connect-satellietplatform waarop deze zal vliegen.

From lab to space: TU Delft-led mission to test photonic chip in orbit

The Netherlands is a leader in both photonic chips and space technology. Now these two worlds meet, as two teams at TU Delft’s Faculty of Aerospace Engineering are joining forces. One develops miniature satellites, the other uses advanced photonic chips to search for signs of life. Together, they will bring a photonic sensing system from the lab to a TU Delft-built satellite.

More news

Join us for a lab tour

Join us on a virtual lab tour to get to know some of our people and experience the labs they work in.

Stories of Aerospace Engineering

Cardiologist applies aviation models to healthcare

Modern aircraft automatically remain within their safety limits whilst in flight. The boundaries of an aircraft’s safe ‘flight envelope’ are continuously calculated using complex and changing data on factors such as the aircraft’s current speed, altitude, load and weight. Cardiologist and intensivist Christiaan Meuwese of Erasmus MC drew inspiration from aviation safety models. Together with aviation expert Joris Melkert of Delft University of Technology, he developed a new concept to calculate personal safety margins for patients as well.

Looking beyond the end of the wind turbine blade

The tips of wind turbine blades sometimes rotate at speeds of several hundred kilometres per hour. At such high speeds, precipitation can cause considerable damage to the coating of a blade, resulting in loss of energy production. Using rain experiments, Structures and Materials researcher Julie Teuwen mapped out the impact of precipitation on wind turbine blades.

Open Your Ears: Building a sounder future through open science

Noise pollution is one of the most pressing environmental health challenges across Europe. Often overlooked in the design of modern products and infrastructure, sound plays a vital role in both human well-being and technological progress. In response to this need, Open Your Ears, a collaborative project at TU Delft led by Assistant Professor Roberto Merino Martinez, is developing open-source tools to transform the way we assess and design sound—making it more accessible, realistic, and meaningful.

Using quantum technology to find the strongest and lightest composite for aeroplanes

How do you find the most optimal combination when there are countless options? Using a quantum algorithm, Associate Professor Boyang Chen is searching for the best stacking sequence of fibres in composites to create the lightest and strongest material for aircraft. The QAIMS Lab that Chen founded at TU Delft, is the first research team in the world to use quantum computing for this application. In the coming years, Chen hopes to work with aircraft manufacturer Airbus to discover the possibilities of the quantum algorithm for the industry: how much profit can be made from it and of course how can it contribute to cleaner aviation?

The world of gas dynamics turned upside down

It’s 1942, and astrophysicist Hans Bethe, who would later win the Nobel Prize, describes a revolutionary theory. If correct, it will overturn some of the principles of gas dynamics. However, it would take more than 80 years for this to happen. It wasn’t until 2024 that thermodynamicist Piero Colonna and his team at TU Delft found proof of non-classical gas dynamics. ‘As a researcher, you need to give yourself the freedom to pursue your curiosity.’

Discover how Delft’s start-up Dawn Aerospace is revolutionizing spaceflight by creating reusable rockets and eco-friendly propulsion systems. Co-founder Jeroen Wink shares insights on their journey from a student project to a global player, and discusses how Europe can enhance its strategic position in space technology.

Delft’s rocket dreamers building reusable spaceflight

Discover how Delft’s start-up Dawn Aerospace is revolutionizing spaceflight by creating reusable rockets and eco-friendly propulsion systems. Co-founder Jeroen Wink shares insights on their journey from a student project to a global player, and discusses how Europe can enhance its strategic position in space technology.

Supercomputer helps to decrease sound pollution: turn that noise down!

Together with his team of researchers in Delft, Frits de Prenter studies the sound caused by airflows when they come into contact with objects. This research, which requires considerable computing power, is contributing to the development of quieter aircraft, drones, and wind turbines.

A new air traffic puzzle: autonomous drones in the sky

Fast package deliveries to your doorstep, providing medical aid to remote areas, or monitoring large crowds from above—these are all potential applications for autonomous drones. But can this be done safely? Joost Ellerbroek, Assistant Professor of Control & Operations at the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, is exploring how to design Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM). He is working on developing smart algorithms to ensure autonomous drones fly optimal routes without colliding.

The ground truth: airport operations for hydrogen-powered aviation

It is not only aircraft that must be prepared for flying on hydrogen, ground operations at the airport need to run very smoothly too. Quite a challenge when considering the fuelling, space, and safety requirements. The models and simulations developed by Alexei Sharpanskykh, Assistant Professor Operations & Environment, help shape this future.

Mastering fuel flow in hydrogen-powered airplanes

Airplanes powered by liquid hydrogen are expected to play a key role in creating low-emission aviation. But once safely stored on board, an even greater challenge is to control the hydrogen flow and have it reach the engines at the required temperature and pressure. Chiara Falsetti, Assistant Professor in Heat Transfer and Thermal Management for Sustainable Aviation, wants to fully understand how hydrogen flows through airplane fuel pipes.

Cracking and tracking – ultrasonics for hydrogen-powered aviation

Monitoring and ensuring the safety of hydrogen storage tanks over tens of thousands of airplane refuellings presents a unique challenge on the road towards low-emission aviation. Nan Yue, Assistant Professor in the Aerospace Structures and Materials Department, develops ultrasonic technology for detecting the very early signs of cracks appearing in the tank hull.

Flame on for hydrogen-powered aircraft propulsion

Flying on hydrogen eliminates CO2 emissions but comes with challenges in flame stability, NOx emissions and reliability, especially given the strict aviation standards. Francesca De Domenico, Assistant Professor in Sustainable Aircraft Propulsion, sees this as an opportunity to radically re-think and innovate combustion systems for aviation. Her experimental research lays the groundwork for addressing these issues and advancing sustainable flight.

> All Stories of AE

August

Theory in practice: the Ariane rocket motor

September

Doctoral defence M.H.I. Elalfy

AI Augmented Engineering Education Symposium 2026

October

Doctoral defence A. Lecardonnel

Doctoral defence M. Badas Aldecocea

Calendar

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