Purdue Aeronautics and Astronautics is proud to celebrate two distinguished faculty members — Professors Kathleen Howell and Steven Collicott, who have been selected to receive top honors from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) at the 2026 AIAA SciTech Forum in Orlando, Florida.

2026 AIAA Aerospace Guidance, Navigation, and Control Award

Kathleen Howell, Distinguished Professor –  For seminal contributions to the theory and practice of trajectory design and spacecraft operations in the Earth–Moon system. 
This award recognizes individuals who have made important and lasting contributions to the field of guidance, navigation, and control. 

2026 AIAA Microgravity and Space Processes Award

Steven Collicott, Professor - For unique leadership in research, advocacy, and education supporting spaceflight activities across the ISS, commercial suborbital rockets, parabolic flights, drop towers, and commercial satellites. This award honors significant contributions in microgravity science, space processing, or expanding microgravity’s use for space applications.