U of T’s Institute for Aerospace Studies Highlighted in University Affairs Magazine
The University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies (UTIAS) was featured in the latest issue of University Affairs Magazine for its contributions to the field of space exploration. Forty-one years ago, four professors from (UTIAS) were contacted to help do the impossible: an explosion had crippled an Apollo 13 spacecraft and their expertise was needed […]
U of T Engineering Team Pedals Its Way to Five Trophies at Indianapolis Speedway
Designing a speedy aerodynamic human-powered vehicle is one thing. But, building one that will also hold the groceries, tackle speed bumps and quickly stop and start at intersections requires a whole new approach to engineering. That’s what a team of U of T Engineering students was able to accomplish in early May, earning first place […]
Mini-Satellites Paying Off for U of T Flight Lab
The University of Toronto is hoping to cash in on the growing demand for micro-space technology by selling more of the small satellites it makes at its flight laboratory. The mini-satellites – the size of a suitcase or even smaller – have already been sold to countries such as Norway, Australia and Poland. They start at […]
Space Agency, DND Seek to Launch Rockets for Canada
Canada has the technological ability to build its own rocket to launch small satellites, which is a top priority for future research at the Defence Department and a capability being studied at the Canadian Space Agency. Canada now relies on other countries—such as the United States, India and Russia—to launch its spacecraft into orbit, but […]
“Snowbird” Ornithopter is a Top 10 Toronto Viral Video of the Year
Engineering’s biggest story of 2010 may well have been that of the “Snowbird” human-powered ornithopter, piloted by EngSci alumnus and UTIAS doctoral candidate Todd Reichert, with Professor Emeritus James DeLaurier acting as faculty advisor. The aircraft with flapping wings, a project of the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies, flew for 19.3 seconds during […]
Human-powered Ornithopter Becomes First Ever to Achieve Sustained Flight
Aviation history was made when the University of Toronto’s human-powered aircraft with flapping wings became the first of its kind to fly continuously. The “Snowbird” performed its record-breaking flight on August 2 at the Great Lakes Gliding Club in Tottenham, Ont., witnessed by the vice-president (Canada) of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), the world-governing body […]
Space: A Canadian Frontier?
Freshly selected to command the International Space Station, astronaut Chris Hadfield characterized the opportunity as a coup for Canada among nations exploring space. Hadfield will lead the station and its six crew during the latter half of a six-month stay that begins in December 2012. “To be trusted with their lives and with that entire […]
Indian Rocket Hauls Five Satellites into Orbit
Automatic Identification System Satellite 1 (AISSat-1) was successfully launched on Monday, July 12 from Sriharikota, India. AISSat-1 is a ship detection satellite built by the UTIAS Space Flight Laboratory (SFL) for the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment. The satellite houses an Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiver developed by Kongsberg Seatex of Norway. The satellite is intended […]
UTIAS Students Use MathWorks Model-Based Design Tools for High-Performance
Graduate students and engineers from the Space Flight Laboratory (SFL) at the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies (UTIAS) use MathWorks tools for Model-Based Design to develop high-performance attitude control systems. “Using MathWorks tools on SFL projects equips our students with invaluable, practical space systems engineering experience,” said Dr. Robert Zee, director of the SFL. […]
