Research
Internationally renowned, Aerospace Engineering at Illinois scientists and engineers have contributed ground-breaking research in the fields of aerodynamics, fluid mechanics, combustion, propulsion, astrodynamics, controls and dynamical systems, and structural mechanics and materials.
Our researchers are well-known for their work in autonomous-healing materials, robotics and uncrewed aerial vehicles, simulations, modeling and design. Explore all of our areas of research below.
Aeroelasticity
Aerospace Materials
Aerospace Structures
Aerospace Systems Design and Simulation
Applied Aerodynamics
Astrodynamics
Combustion and Propulsion
Computational Fluid Dynamics
Controls, Dynamical Systems and Estimation
Experimental Fluid Mechanics
Flow Control
Hypersonics
Laser and Optical Diagnostics
Satellite Design and Manufacturing
Space Systems
Research Facilities
A wide range of major research resources are available for aerospace engineering research, including high-speed wind tunnels, laser diagnostics, high-speed imaging, atomic force microscopes, confocal microscopes, and more.
Interdisciplinary Centers
Our partnerships with interdisciplinary centers allow for advanced research collaborations across many fields, with academic, governmental, and industrial research partners.
Departmental Facilities
Aerospace Engineering Research Machine Shop and Testing facility serves faculty, staff, and students throughout the College of Engineering and across the UIUC campus with machining, fabrication and testing for research and student projects.