National Institute of Aerospace

AIAA Foundation, Six Major Universities Win Contract

September 26, 2002 - AIAA Foundation and six major universities today received a landmark NASA contract to create a new world-class research institute in Hampton, Va.

The AIAA Foundation and the six universities Georgia Institute of Technology, North Carolina A&T State University, North Carolina State University, University of Maryland, University of Virginia, and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University are the founding members of the National Institute of Aerospace Associates (NIAA), which was awarded the contract. NIAA was formed specifically to create a science and research organization called the National Institute of Aerospace (NIA).

To say we are pleased would be an understatement, said Cort Durocher, AIAA Foundation president. Our university partners are world-class, and we expect to be able to do some great things. The creation of NIA is going to do a lot for the aerospace industry, and will demonstrate a fresh new model for scientific research and industry-university-government partnership.

Once fully operational, the NIA will become a strategic partner working with NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) to enhance its world-class aerospace and atmospheric research capability. The Institute will complement Langleys research creativity and expand research and technology development opportunities. In addition, the NIA will be a significant new research and education asset for the nation.

The purpose of the NIA will be to: Conduct leading edge aerospace and atmospheric sciences research and develop revolutionary new technologies by creating innovative, collaborative, synergistic partnerships among LaRC, academia, and industry Provide comprehensive graduate and continuing education in science and engineering by using both a local campus and exploiting innovative distance-learning concepts Incubate and stimulate the commercialization of new intellectual property developed through the Institutes activities, including radical ideas and disruptive technologies Promote aerospace science and engineering and provide outreach to the region and nation

The technical scope of the research to be performed by NIA encompasses: (1) revolutionary aerospace systems, concepts, and analysis; (2) planetary capture and entry technology; (3) aerodynamics, aerothermodynamics, and acoustics; (4) structures and materials; (5) airborne systems; (6) atmospheric and vehicle sensor system technology; and (7) atmospheric chemistry and radiation sciences.

The NIA, through its partner universities, will also offer masters and doctoral degrees in science and engineering using both a local campus and the latest innovations in distance learning. The local campus will be located near the NASA LaRC.

This innovative partnership is comprised of a cost reimbursable, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract and a cooperative agreement. The maximum value of the contract for a five-year base period is $49 million. The value of the basic five-year cooperative agreement is $69 million. If the three five-year options are exercised under the cooperative agreement, the combined potential total value would be $379 million.