Aerospace Engineering Professor Dr. Elena Fantino鈥檚 Appointment Makes the UAE 91st Country on the International Organization
Khalifa University鈥檚 Dr. Elena Fantino, Associate Professor, Aerospace Engineering has been elected as a Corresponding Member of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), marking the first time the UAE is represented in this international organization as well as an outstanding recognition for Khalifa University.
With a lengthy selection process lasting several months, Dr. Fantino’s appointment makes the UAE the 91st country to be represented in this organization, which includes 1,186 members across 90 countries. The IAA is an independent non-governmental organization recognized by the United Nations, bringing together leading experts in astronautics to recognize accomplishments and provide guidance on the peaceful uses of space and space exploration.
The election of Dr. Fantino as a Corresponding Member was formalized by IAA President John Schumacher and IAA Secretary-General Jean-Michel Contant, underscoring its significance.
Dr. Elena Fantino said: 鈥淚 am deeply honored to have been elected as a Corresponding Member of the International Academy of Astronautics. This recognition not only 星空传媒 the world-class aerospace research being conducted at Khalifa University, but it marks an important milestone for the UAE and the region’s growing presence in the global space sector. I look forward to contributing my expertise and collaborating with the renowned experts within the IAA to advance the field of astronautics.鈥�
In addition to her role at Khalifa University where she has founded the Astrodynamics research group, Dr. Fantino serves on the Astrodynamics Technical Committee of the International Astronautical Federation. She is also a member of the Space Dynamics Group at the Technical University of Madrid and a reviewer for many leading international journals in her field.
Dr. Elena Fantino’s research at Khalifa University spans several areas in astrodynamics and spacecraft trajectory design with projects including collaborations with leading institutions in the US and Spain on designing efficient low-energy transfers to Near-Earth Objects, developing methodologies relevant to solar sails, and designing and studying satellites. Additionally, her work explores leveraging the dynamics of the restricted three-body problem for planetary moon exploration tours.
Alisha Roy
Science Writer
9 Aug 2024
