Research centers and laboratories in the Texas A&M University Department of Aerospace Engineering are considered among the best in the nation and support the research encompassing all the major aerospace disciplines.
Among the facilities available to researchers, undergraduate and graduate students are a variety of wind tunnels, a flight simulator, a virtual reality lab, as well as the National Aerothermochemistry and Hypersonics Lab.
Advanced Vertical Flight Laboratory
Advanced Vertical Flight Laboratory conducts interdisciplinary fundamental research in next-generation vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) concepts, novel aircraft concepts for planetary exploration, energy efficient green aviation, and high-efficiency vertical axis wind turbines. Faculty supervisor:
Aero and Fluid Dynamics Lab
Many pressure- and velocity-measuring devices are available, including manometers, pressure transducers, and laser Doppler anemometers. Smoke and helium bubble generators are used for flow visualization. In addition, various data acquisition and signal conditioning instruments are included in this lab.
Aerospace Human Systems Laboratory (AHSL)
The AHSL aims to research and develop the capabilities to design and model space life support systems. These life support systems will be anthropometrically engineered spacesuits for microgravity operations and fractional-g planetary surface exploration. These goals will be achieved through digital (static and dynamic) human modeling, variable-g fluid physics modeling, advanced materials selection, and rapid prototyping and manufacturing research. By using a systems approach, the AHSL aims to design spacesuits and environmental controls with the human at the center of the design consideration. Faculty supervisor: Bonnie J. Dunbar
The ALLEMO is located next to the National Aerothermodynamics and Hypersonics Laboratory (NAL) to rapidly implement new diagnostics funded by the Chancellor's Research Initiative with matching funds from the Texas Governor’s University Research Initiative (GURI). Research conducted at the ALLEMO focuses on new diagnostic capabilities for hypersonics and combustion, aerodynamic control, and stand-off detection of hazardous gases and atmospheric properties. The facility includes a LIDAR lab with an observatory dome, an ultrafast nonlinear optics lab, a diagnostics development laboratory and a 120-foot lab with a subscale atmospheric facility. Faculty supervisor: Richard Miles
Aerospace, Technology Research and Operations Center
The Aerospace, Technology Research and Operations Center helps researchers get their advanced engineering concepts to technology readiness levels suitable for adoption by government and commercial users, and helps infuse those customers’ needs into the Texas A&M research and education process. The ASTRO center pursues research, engineering and testing activities in the areas of power systems, thermal management, space sensors, and other electronics systems. It pursues programs that provide valuable applied research and training opportunities for professors, students
Aerospace Vehicle Systems Institute
The Aerospace Vehicle Systems Institute addresses issues that impact the aerospace community through international cooperative research and collaboration conducted by industry, government
AggieSat Laboratory
The AggieSat Laboratory is a student-led program with the mission of developing and demonstrating modern technologies for space-based systems while educating students in systems engineering and enriching the university experience. Our lab takes an integrated approach to small spacecraft research, design-build-fly, and education for multidisciplinary teams of freshmen through graduate students, with support from industry and government affiliates. Students are responsible for the whole design process, from concept proposal to end-of-mission operations. Members of the AggieSat Laboratory work with real-world deliverables, quality-assurance checks, documentation, design and safety reviews, and organization. The goal is for our students to gain hands-on mastery in current tools and industry practices related to specification, design, analysis, fabrication, and testing of space systems while actively applying and extending complementary concepts taught in classes and making critical decisions. The context for this program is in the design and development of small space systems, such as satellites and rovers, but the skill set acquired is applicable to a wide variety of disciplines and industries. Faculty supervisor: Dr. Helen Reed
Bioastronautics and Human Performance
The Bioastronautics and Human Performance research group
Detonation Physics Laboratory
The Detonation Physics Laboratory specializes in the study of detonation physics, high-speed combustion phenomena and energetic material performance. Applications involve propulsion, power generation, explosion hazard analysis, defense and mining. Faculty Supervisor: Scott Jackson
Immersive Mechanics Visualization Lab
The Immersive Mechanics Visualization Lab (MAESTRO VR Annex) is a lab space fully dedicated to the tasks and goals of the Immersive and Intuitive Data Environments project. It is a 14x17 foot secure room with an HTC Vive VR system and associated computer with exceptional graphics card capability. A screen share and projection system allow visitors and collaborators to share the VR experience with the individual directly using the HTC Vive. Legacy dark room lighting (red and amber) allow for a comfortable work environment during in situ investigations.
Current research involves the development of robust methods for translating solid models (e.g., SolidWorks files) and finite element models (e.g., Abaqus models) into the VR environment and for interacting with such models in an intuitive manner. Faculty supervisor: Darren Hartl
Intelligent Multifunctional Materials and Structures
Intelligent Multifunctional Materials and Structures consists of some of the top researchers in Texas and the world, including a Nobel Laureate and several members of the National Academies, in biotechnology, nanotechnology, biomaterials and aerospace engineering to develop the next generation of bio-nano materials and structures for aerospace vehicles.
Intelligent Systems Research Laboratory
The Intelligent Systems Research Laboratory focuses developing advanced algorithms and analytical methods for designing
Klebanoff-Saric Unsteady/Quiet Wind Tunnel
The Klebanoff-Saric Wind Tunnel (KSWT) is a low-disturbance, closed-loop wind tunnel designed for boundary layer stability and transition experiments. Faculty supervisor: Ed White
Laboratory of Space Systems and Optomechanics (LASSO)
LASSO focuses on designing and developing inertial sensors with applications in distinct fields such as gravitational-wave astronomy and space geodesy. The group's research centers on novel optomechanical inertial sensing technologies, optical precision measurements and system characterization and signal processing. LASSO members are also part of international collaborations such as the Laser Interferometer Space Antena, LISA Consortium and the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory, and LIGO Scientific Collaboration. Members contribute to the characterization and development of ground and space-based observatories. Faculty supervisor: Felipe Guzman
Land Air & Space Robotics (LASR) Laboratory
The LASR Laboratory is a robotics facility operated by the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Texas A&M. The lab conducts research in robotic sensing and control with an aim to enhance the fields of proximity operations, human-robot interaction, stereo vision, swarm robotics and autonomous aerial vehicles. Faculty supervisor: Manoranjan Majji
Laser Diagnostics and High-Speed Combustion
The lab is a graduate research facility dedicated to the study of high-speed combustion for propulsion applications. Laser diagnostics like spontaneous Raman, Rayleigh scattering, and Laser-Induced Fluorescence are used to study the fundamentals of supersonic flows with or without reactions. The lab is one of the few facilities worldwide capable of producing multiscalar measurements in supersonic flames; the pressure, temperature, density and major species concentrations, i.e., the full thermochemistry, of a supersonic flow can be characterized using the techniques developed here. Reduced-chemistry CFD and detailed-chemistry calculations are also used to complement the experimental effort. High-energy Nd:YAG and dye lasers, and a host of high technology detectors, from high-fidelity scientific CCD and EMCCD to high-speed cameras, intensified systems and long-wave infrared detectors form the core of the experimental facilities. Faculty supervisor:
Materials and Testing Lab
The Materials and Testing Lab is primarily used for processing and evaluating high-temperature metal matrix composite (MMC) materials, but the lab can be used to evaluate and process a wide range of materials. Three hydraulically-based MTS load frames are available for uniaxial mechanical testing. Each load frame can be equipped with one of five furnaces used in high-temperature material evaluation. A hot isostatic press (HIP) and various furnaces are available to process metal matrix composites. This lab also includes various temperature-measuring devices. Faculty supervisor: Amine Benzerga
Multifunctional Materials and Aerospace Structures Optimization (M2AESTRO) Lab
The M2AESTRO Lab focuses on the development of novel aerospace material and structural concepts that provide
Nanostructured Materials Lab
The Nanostructured Materials Lab takes challenges from aerospace engineering and applies material science principles to address them. Our curiosity to understand the processing-microstructure relationships in promising nano-structured materials drives us toward developing lightweight materials, whether it is for structural light-weighting, enhanced energy storage or smart textiles. Faculty supervisor: Mohammad Naraghi
National Aerothermochemistry and Hypersonics Laboratory (NAL)
The Texas A&M University NAL is a graduate research facility founded by Professor R. Bowersox to perform leading research and to house unique facilities in support of National interests in high-speed gas dynamics, unsteady flows, and flows with thermal and chemical non-equilibrium effects. Primary sponsorship is provided by the U.S. Air Force, Army and NASA. The laboratory is a true multidisciplinary research resource, with significant faculty involvement from both Aerospace Engineering and Chemistry. The laboratory is currently considered a National Resource by the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research. Faculty supervisor: Rodney Bowersox
Oran W. Nicks Low Speed Wind Tunnel
The Oran W. Nicks Low Speed Wind Tunnel is a self-contained research facility located near Texas A&M. It is a closed-circuit, single-return type tunnel, with a rectangular test section 10 feet wide and 7 feet high and housed in a two-story building. The administrative building, tunnel and test section, external balance and drive motor all have independent foundations to reduce the transmission of vibrations among them. A wide variety of tests are conducted at the wind tunnel for industry, governmental agencies, educational institutions and private individuals. Tests at the tunnel have dealt with, but are not limited to aircraft, space vehicles, ground vehicles, buildings and offshore structures. The wind tunnel can provide many different types of information during a test. It is used for both basic and applied airflow research and development and also provides instructional aid for students of various departments. Faculty supervisor: Ed White
Plasma Simulation Laboratory
Research conducted in the Plasma Simulation Laboratory is focused on modeling of plasma influence on ignition, combustion and turbulent flows. Main problems we are working on include: controllable ignition by discharges plasma; combustion processes control and stabilization by plasma; deflagration to detonation transition control by plasma; laser and microwave discharge dynamics; flow control by plasma discharges; and nanosecond pulsed discharge igniters. Faculty supervisor: Albina Tropina
Propulsion Lab
This lab contains a fully instrumented and working turbine engine originally designed for cruise missiles. Inlet and nozzle configurations can be changed to vary engine inlet and back pressure. Faculty supervisor: Paul Cizmas
Systems Engineering, Architecture and Knowledge (SEAK) Lab
The SEAK Lab is devoted to research at the intersection of space systems, systems engineering and design, and artificial intelligence. Lab members (
Turbulence and Advanced Computations Lab (TACL)
The TACL conducts research on fundamental understanding of turbulent flows and turbulent mixing using state-of-the-art simulations at massive scales. While turbulence is the most common state of fluid motion in natural and engineering systems, its complexity has made the topic extraordinarily difficult. At TACL we develop and use the most advanced computational tools on the largest supercomputers available combined with theory and analysis to understand a number of aspects of turbulent flows. Some of the current interest include turbulent simulations at extreme scales, universality of turbulent flows, intermittency and anomalous scaling, turbulence mixing at low and high Schmidt numbers, compressible turbulence, shock-turbulence interactions, and turbulence in thermal non-equilibrium. Faculty supervisor: Diego Donzis
Vehicle Systems & Control Laboratory
The Vehicle Systems & Control Laboratory houses experimental research, flight demonstrations, and FAA certification of small to