Aerospace Science and Engineering – III Aerospace PhD-Days

The Aerospace PhD Days are organized by the Italian Association of Aeronautics and Astronautics, AIDAA, and are open to PhD students working on Aerospace Science and Engineering topics. The first two editions were held in Pisa under the supervision of Professor Aldo Frediani. The event has no parallel sessions to allow students to follow all presentations; furthermore, most of the organization is carried out by graduate students. The 2023 edition had 63 presentations, with students from more than ten institutions, including delegates from China, France, and Spain. Many aerospace disciplines and topics were covered, i.e., dynamics and control, navigation, aeroacoustics, fluid dynamics, human-machine interaction, structures, maintenance and operations, sustainability of aeronautics and space, space economy, propulsion, additive manufacturing, sensors, aerospace systems, aeroelasticity, artificial intelligence, and UAV. Four invited speakers delivered lectures on opportunities, challenges, and perspectives of the aerospace field: Angelo D’Agostino (Head of Research career and NCPs coordination Unit, APRE), ERC Starting Grant & MSCA-Postdoctordal Fellowships opportunities; Franco Ongaro (Chief Technology and Innovation Officer – Leonardo), Aerospace perspectives of Leonardo Company; Tatjana Bolić (Chair of the SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking’s Scientific Committee - University of Westminster), Innovations in ATM; Maria Antonietta Perino (Director Space Economy Exploration and International Network - Thales Alenia Space), Exploration: from LEO to Moon and Mars. The closing ceremony included a speech from Anthea Comellini, a Member of the ESA astronaut reserve.