PROFESSOR Russell Boyce, the director of UNSW Canberra Space, has become the third person in Australia to be named a fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA).

Over the past 20 years, the AIAA Foundation has awarded 1300 scholarships and graduate awards to students, with only three of them awarded to Australians, one of which being Prof Boyce.

“This award is a huge honour and privilege, not just for myself, but because it effectively recognises the amazing talents and efforts of many, many Australians with whom I have worked over the years, in hypersonics and in space research,” Prof Boyce says.

“Australia has a bright future in aerospace, and I’m looking forward to more and more AIAA fellows from our country in the years ahead. It’s exciting times.”

Fellowships are awarded to members of the Institute who have made notable and valuable contributions in the field of aeronautics or astronautics.

Prof Boyce’s contribution to the field includes his significant leadership role in Australia’s rapidly developing space sector, his technical contributions to hypersonic flight and his education and service contribution.

For many years he has been a partner for government, industry and academia, in particular, for Australian organisations within Defence, national security, the Australian Space Agency and other civil agencies, for both “voice of reason” advice and technical solutions in space and hypersonics.

Prof Boyce led the development of UNSW Canberra Space, Australia’s largest and leading space research and education team.

The team includes about 50 space engineers, scientists and educators, end-to-end in-house space capability, multiple satellites in orbit or under development, and extensive space research, innovation and engagement activities.