Special Issues

Aerospace publishes Special Issues to create collections of papers on specific topics, with the aim of building a community of authors and readers to discuss the latest research and develop new ideas and research directions. Special Issues are led by Guest Editors, who are experts on the topic and all Special Issue submissions follow MDPI's standard editorial process. The journal’s Editor-in-Chief and/or designated Editorial Board Member will oversee Guest Editor appointments and Special Issue proposals, checking their content for relevance and ensuring the suitability of the material for the journal. The papers published in a Special Issue will be collected and displayed on a dedicated page of the journal’s website. Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies and Guest Editor responsibilities can be found here. For any inquiries related to a Special Issue, please contact the Editorial Office.

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Deicing and Anti-Icing of Aircraft (Volume IV)
edited by and Xiaobin Shen
submission deadline 30 Nov 2025 | 7 articles | Viewed by 8480 | Submission Open
Keywords: deicing; anti-icing; ice accretion; ice adhesion; ice cohesion
(This special issue belongs to the Section Aeronautics)
Integrated Guidance and Control for Aerospace Vehicles
edited by , Tuo Han, and Wei Dong
submission deadline 30 Nov 2025 | 3 articles | Viewed by 4659 | Submission Open
Keywords: integrated guidance and control; guidance and control modelling; constrained guidance and control; field-of-view limit; terminal impact constraint; actuator saturation; intelligent control
Physical Interaction of Floating-Base Robotics for Advancing Aerospace Technologies
edited by Matteo Fumagalli
submission deadline 30 Nov 2025 | Viewed by 415 | Submission Open
Keywords: floating-base manipulation; aerial and space robotics; underwater; legged and humanoid robotics methods for aerospace applications; dynamics and control of floating-base systems; robot physical interaction
Aerodynamic Numerical Optimization in UAV Design (2nd Edition)
edited by Aleksandar M. Simonović
submission deadline 30 Nov 2025 | Viewed by 274 | Submission Open
Keywords: unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV); aerodynamic design optimization; aerodynamic shape optimization; optimization design; multi-objective optimization (MDO); airfoil; wing; propeller; computational fluid dynamics (CFD); aerodynamic configuration
Space Navigation and Control Technologies (2nd Edition)
edited by Xin Ma, Wei Zhang and Dongyu Li
submission deadline 30 Nov 2025 | Viewed by 238 | Submission Open
Keywords: autonomous navigation; integrated navigation; celestial navigation; pulsar navigation; optical navigation; maneuver control; networked spacecraft cooperation; adaptive systems; robotic control
Aircraft Conceptual Design: Tools, Processes and Examples
edited by
submission deadline 1 Dec 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1938 | Submission Open
Keywords: aircraft design; design engineering; systems engineering; conceptual design; certification; aerodynamics; propulsion; structures; mass properties; operations research
(This special issue belongs to the Section Aeronautics)
Innovation and Challenges in Hypersonic Propulsion
edited by Kunyuan Zhang and Yongzhou Li
submission deadline 15 Dec 2025 | 7 articles | Viewed by 12657 | Submission Open
Keywords: hypersonic propulsion; propulsion/airframe integration; combined cycle engine; inlet design; supersonic combustion; nozzle design; flame stabilization; thermal management; aerothermodynamics; wind tunnel testing; numerical simulation
(This special issue belongs to the Section Aeronautics)
Space System Design
edited by Ed Kruzins and Edwin Peters
submission deadline 15 Dec 2025 | 9 articles | Viewed by 9298 | Submission Open
Keywords: advanced mission design; spacecraft subsystem innovations; modular and scalable space architectures; AI and ML in space system design; sustainability in space; integration of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components
(This special issue belongs to the Section Astronautics & Space Science)
Application of Tether Technology in Space
edited by Gangqiang Li and Jinyu Liu
submission deadline 15 Dec 2025 | 5 articles | Viewed by 4368 | Submission Open
Keywords: space tether; modeling technique; state estimator/observer; controller designer; experiment
(This special issue belongs to the Section Astronautics & Space Science)
Advances in UAVs: Design Methods, Performance Enhancement Techniques and Technologies submission deadline 15 Dec 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1517 | Submission Open
Keywords: UAVs; design and synthesis; innovative layouts; aerodynamics; optimization; flow control; alternative energy sources; solar energy; flight planning; structures; materials; airworthiness
(This special issue belongs to the Section Aeronautics)
Advancing Fluid Dynamics in Aerospace Applications submission deadline 18 Dec 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1115 | Submission Open
Keywords: aerospace fluid dynamics; applied aerodynamics; computational and experimental aerodynamics; flow control and optimization; aero-propulsive interaction; high-speed flows; reduced-order modeling
(This special issue belongs to the Section Aeronautics)
From Satellite Systems Design, Verification and Testing to Spacecraft Operations
edited by
submission deadline 20 Dec 2025 | 6 articles | Viewed by 14074 | Submission Open
Keywords: spacecraft design; satellite systems; verification and testing; in-orbit testing; spacecraft operations; on-board software; hardware-in-the-loop testing; digital twin; operational efficiency; autonomous spacecraft; software automation; mission readiness
Innovations in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle: Design and Development
edited by Marco Ciarcià
submission deadline 30 Dec 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1267 | Submission Open
Keywords: unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs); drone technology; UAV design; UAV development; aerial robotics; flight control systems; UAV payload integration; artificial intelligence (AI) in UAVs; UAV swarming; UAV navigation and guidance; regulations and standards; future trends in UAVs
(This special issue belongs to the Section Aeronautics)
Numerical Simulations in Electric Propulsion
edited by , , and Vittorio Giannetti
submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 8 articles | Viewed by 21550 | Submission Open
Keywords: electric propulsion; plasma thrusters; plasma physics; numerical modeling; MHD; fluid methods; kinetic methods; particle-in-cell; hybrid methods
Advances in UAV Technology: Dynamics, Guidance, Navigation, and Control of Transformative Aerial Vehicles
edited by , , Daniel Neri Cardoso and Marcelo Alves Dos Santos
submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 11 articles | Viewed by 19451 | Submission Open
Keywords: unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs); innovative UAV design; UAV dynamics; guidance systems; navigation technologies; control mechanisms; convertible UAVs; bio-inspired UAVs; unmanned underwater and aerial vehicles; eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing); unmanned aircraft system traffic management (UTM); distributed UAV networks; UAV path planning; mathematical modeling in UAVs; UAV applications; localization and mapping
(This special issue belongs to the Section Aeronautics)
Operational Requirements for Urban Air Traffic Management
edited by Isabel C. Metz and
submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 4 articles | Viewed by 9948 | Submission Open
Keywords: air traffic management; airspace integration; CONOPS; operations; urban air traffic management; vertiports
(This special issue belongs to the Section Air Traffic and Transportation)
Laser Propulsion Science and Technology (2nd Edition)
edited by
submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 6 articles | Viewed by 9150 | Submission Open
Keywords: beamed energy propulsion; debris removal; directed energy propulsion; laser ablation; laser arrays; laser debris removal; laser-electric propulsion; laser launch; laser momentum coupling; laser orbital debris removal; laser propellant; laser propulsion; laser sails; laser thermal coupling; laser thermal propulsion; laser thrusters; lightsails; microwave propulsion
(This special issue belongs to the Section Astronautics & Space Science)
New Trends in Aviation Development 2024–2025 submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 4 articles | Viewed by 7825 | Submission Open
Keywords: aeronautics and aerospace technologies; dual-use applications; aircraft design; maintenance and services; certification; UAV/UAS; photogrammetry and GIS; avionics; aeronautical meteorology; aerodynamics; vibroacoustic issues; space systems; sensors; application of superconducting technology in astronautics; numerical modelling; multicriteria decision processes; big data; aeronautics education and training; human factors and performance; reliability; safety and security; risk assessment
(This special issue belongs to the Section Aeronautics)
Advanced Aircraft Structural Design and Applications
edited by Meiying Zhao, Liaojun Yao and Heyuan Huang
submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 8 articles | Viewed by 7789 | Submission Open
Keywords: advanced aircraft structures; finite element analysis (FEA); composite materials; additive manufacturing in aerospace; fatigue and damage tolerance; structural integrity; lightweight design; adaptive and active structures; structural health monitoring; multidisciplinary optimization
(This special issue belongs to the Section Aeronautics)
Advances in Landing Systems Engineering
edited by and
submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 4 articles | Viewed by 7484 | Submission Open
Keywords: landing gear systems; mechanical engineering; novel materials; optimization; multiphysics; interdisciplinary; noise; systems engineering; prognostics and health management
(This special issue belongs to the Section Aeronautics)
Aircraft Design (SI-7/2025)
edited by
submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 3 articles | Viewed by 6376 | Submission Open
Keywords: aeronautics; transportation; airplane; aircraft; design; payload; range; costs; synthesis; optimization; structure; engine; system; wing; fuselage; tail; undercarriage; education; training; case study; data set
(This special issue belongs to the Section Aeronautics)
Aircraft Thermal Management Technologies
edited by Yongqi Xie and
submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 4 articles | Viewed by 6004 | Submission Open
Keywords: thermal management; thermal transport; environmental control; active/passive cooling; thermoelectric conversion; waste heat recovery; heat exchanger; energy storage; hybrid cooling systems
(This special issue belongs to the Section Aeronautics)
Structural Dynamics Modelling, Aeroelastic Analysis and Experimental Verification Methods for Aircraft Systems
edited by Weizhe Feng, and
submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 4 articles | Viewed by 5763 | Submission Open
Keywords: structural dynamic modeling; structural dynamic optimization; aeroelastic stability; aeroservoelastic stability; computational aeroelasticity; ground vibration test; wind tunnel test; data-driven virtual test techniques
(This special issue belongs to the Section Aeronautics)
Artificial Intelligence in Aerospace Propulsion
edited by
submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 3 articles | Viewed by 5102 | Submission Open
Keywords: artificial intelligence; machine learning; data-driven; digital twin; chemical propulsion; electric propulsion; rocket engine; plasma propulsion
(This special issue belongs to the Section Astronautics & Space Science)
Flow and Heat Transfer in Solid Rocket Motors
edited by Yang Liu
submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 4 articles | Viewed by 4466 | Submission Open
Keywords: solid rocket motor; complex flow and heat transfer; ablation mechanism; insulator; multiphase flow modeling; metal droplet behavior; design of combustion chamber and nozzle; combustion modeling; prediction of performance
(This special issue belongs to the Section Astronautics & Space Science)
Environmental Influences on Aircraft Aerodynamics
edited by Zhenlong Wu
submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 3 articles | Viewed by 4208 | Submission Open
Keywords: aircraft; engine; aerodynamics; icing; heavy rain; turbulence; bird; sand and dust  
(This special issue belongs to the Section Aeronautics)
Situational Awareness Using Space-Based Sensor Networks
edited by Zengfu Wang and
submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 4009 | Submission Open
Keywords: space-based sensor networks; multi-source heterogeneous information fusion; target tracking; sensor resource management; distributed fusion; task planning; earth observation; space surveillance; satellite constellations
(This special issue belongs to the Section Astronautics & Space Science)
Next-Generation Airport Operations and Management submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 2 articles | Viewed by 3619 | Submission Open
Keywords: data-driven scheduling and gate assignment; turnaround management optimization; real-time passenger and baggage flow monitoring; collaborative decision-making; smart airport infrastructure; Internet of Things (IoT) solutions
(This special issue belongs to the Section Air Traffic and Transportation)
Lunar Construction
edited by
submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 3 articles | Viewed by 3001 | Submission Open
Keywords: lunar missions; deep space exploration; lunar construction; lunar environment
(This special issue belongs to the Section Astronautics & Space Science)
Recent Advances in Icing Studies and Energy-Efficient De-Icing/Anti-Icing Technologies
edited by , Wenqiang Zhang, Dongyu Zhu and Ningli Chen
submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 2817 | Submission Open
Keywords: icing; de-icing; anti-icing; SLD; ice crystal; icing physics; icing thermodynamics; phase change; heat/mass transfer; icing wind tunnel; icing detection; CFD
(This special issue belongs to the Section Aeronautics)
State Monitoring and Health Management of Complex Equipment (3rd Edition)
edited by
submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 3 articles | Viewed by 2517 | Submission Open
Keywords: complex equipment; state monitoring; health management; modeling techniques; fault diagnosis and prediction; operation and maintenance
AI, Machine Learning and Automation for Air Traffic Control (ATC)
edited by , Pham Duc Thinh and
submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 3 articles | Viewed by 2129 | Submission Open
Keywords: AI-based predictive analytics for traffic flow and capacity management; human-in-the-loop decision-making; real-time conflict detection and resolution algorithms; safety assurance and ethical considerations in AI-driven ATC; next-generation decision support tools
(This special issue belongs to the Section Air Traffic and Transportation)
Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma Actuator submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 2101 | Submission Open
Keywords: induced flow; flow control; flow separation; flow instability and turbulence; jet noise; shock wave– boundary layer interaction; power supply; alternative current dielectric barrier discharge; nano-second pulse dielectric barrier discharge; ozone production mechanism
(This special issue belongs to the Section Aeronautics)
Aeroelasticity, Volume V
edited by , and Markus Raimund Ritter
submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 2 articles | Viewed by 1924 | Submission Open
Keywords: innovative aircraft; aeroservoelasticity; composite structures; morphing wing; experimental tests; structural optimization
(This special issue belongs to the Section Aeronautics)
Vortex Flow Phenomena and Physics of Aerospace Engineering Applications (2nd Edition)
edited by , and
submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1650 | Submission Open
Keywords: aerodynamics; fluid dynamics; vortex dynamics; flow mechanism; flow physics; boundary layer; flow separation; viscous flow; flow transitions; flow instabilities
(This special issue belongs to the Section Aeronautics)
Aerospace Vehicles and Complex Fluid Flow Modelling
edited by László Könözsy
submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 2 articles | Viewed by 1286 | Submission Open
Keywords: computational fluid dynamics (CFD); complex fluid-flow physics; computational engineering; computational modelling; numerical analysis; experimental techniques; aerospace vehicles; rotating aerospace vehicles; aircraft icing; aircraft landing; micro- and nano-satellites; cubesats; solid rocket propulsions
Electric Power Systems and Components for All-Electric Aircraft (2nd Edition)
edited by
submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1233 | Submission Open
Keywords: all-electric aircraft; power systems; circuit breakers; power cables; motors; batteries; fuel cells; supercapacitors; converters; storage resources; low pressures; arc; arc tracking; partial discharges
(This special issue belongs to the Section Aeronautics)
Artificial Intelligence in the Design of Solid Propellants for Aerospace Applications
edited by
submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1030 | Submission Open
Keywords: artificial intelligence; aerospace applications; solid propellant; modeling; energetic materials
(This special issue belongs to the Section Astronautics & Space Science)
Aircraft Electric Power System II: Motor Drive Design and Control
edited by , , Hengliang Zhang, and
submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | Viewed by 426 | Submission Open
Keywords: aircraft electrification; electric propulsion systems; electrical machine; motor drive; wide-bandgap semiconductors; high-power-density machines; fault-tolerant design; artificial intelligence; intelligent motor control; drive system integration
Small Satellite Missions (2nd Edition)
edited by and Necmi Cihan Örger
submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | Viewed by 289 | Submission Open
Keywords: small satellites; CubeSats; nano-satellites; micro-satellites; mini-satellites; AIV; system engineering; space systems; mission analysis; space traffic management
(This special issue belongs to the Section Astronautics & Space Science)
Guidance, Navigation and Control Algorithms for Satellite Formation Flying (2nd Edition)
edited by Gabriella Gaias and Jean-Sébastien Ardaens
submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | Viewed by 283 | Submission Open
Keywords: relative navigation; relative orbit determination; spacecraft rendezvous; satellite formation flying; formation reconfiguration; active debris removal; autonomy; swarms; distributed space systems
(This special issue belongs to the Section Astronautics & Space Science)
Recent Advances in Aeroacoustics (2nd Edition) submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | Viewed by 269 | Submission Open
Keywords: aeroacoustics; airport noise; aircraft noise; engine noise; low-noise operations; rocket noise; flow acoustics; duct/nozzle acoustics; sound sources; rotor/propeller noise; sound attenuation; acoustic liners; active noise reduction; noise shielding and installation effects; noise reduction targets and certification; acoustic-emission design compromises; acoustic fatigue
Advances in Experimental and Computational Combustion
edited by Marcel Ilie
submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | Viewed by 264 | Submission Open
Keywords: aircraft engine; air-breathing propulsion; turbojet engine; turbofan engine; supersonic/hypersonic combustion; turbulence modeling; turbulent reacting flows; premixed combustion; non-premixed combustion; aeroacoustics and combustion-generated noise; large-eddy simulations (LESs); direct numerical simulations (DNSs); hybrid RANS/LES; analytical and computational combustion; numerical methods and high-order schemes
Structural Strength, Life Reliability and Design Optimization of Aircraft Engines
edited by Xi Liu and Cheng Yan
submission deadline 31 Dec 2025 | Viewed by 238 | Submission Open
Keywords: lifetime prediction; structural design; uncertainty quantification; reliability evaluation; reliability design; optimization algorithm; topology optimization; multi-disciplinary design optimization; surrogate model; correlation analysis
(This special issue belongs to the Section Aeronautics)
Asteroid Impact Avoidance
edited by Mingtao Li and Qingbo Gan
submission deadline 25 Jan 2026 | 4 articles | Viewed by 5988 | Submission Open
Keywords: near-earth asteroids; planetary defense; sky survey; asteroid characterization; orbit deflection; asteroid disruption; orbit determination; risk assessment; hazards evaluation; space debris modeling; mitigation; and remediation
(This special issue belongs to the Section Astronautics & Space Science)
Precise Orbit Determination of the Spacecraft
edited by Yong Huang and
submission deadline 30 Jan 2026 | 6 articles | Viewed by 7589 | Submission Open
Keywords: orbit determination; GNSS data; deep space exploration; cislunar navigation
(This special issue belongs to the Section Astronautics & Space Science)
15th EASN International Conference on Innovation in Aviation & Space Towards Sustainability Today and Tomorrow
edited by , and Gustavo Alonso-Rodrigo
submission deadline 30 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 432 | Submission Open
Keywords: aerostructures: materials & structures; aerostructures: manufacturing; from industry 4.0 to industry 5.0; flight physics; hydrogen in aviation; fuels & energy storage; propulsion; hybrid electric flight; avionics; systems & equipment; human factors; aircraft design and optimization; small air transport (SAT) technologies; innovative concepts & scenarios; synergies and technology transfer with other industries; air traffic management & airports; maintenance; repair & overhaul (MRO); unmanned aerial systems & scaled flight testing; space technologies; ecoDESIGN and engineering for sustainability; safety; regulation and standards; European policy actions in the field of aviation & space
Design, Characterization and Operations of Lighter-than-Air Flying Vehicles submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | 5 articles | Viewed by 6137 | Submission Open
Keywords: lighter than air; airship; design; UAV; unmanned; sizing; hydrogen; helium; energy harvesting; mission design; MDAO; dynamic modeling; buoyancy; characterization; wind tunnel; testing; simulation; control; guidance; stabilization; electronics; actuators; motors; docking; maneuvers; ground infrastructure; land infrastructure; airship operations; operation research; operation cost; cost of manufacture; production cost; profitability; cost model; air transport economics; air transport system; airspace; case study; experimental campaigns
Experimental Fluid Dynamics and Fluid-Structure Interactions
edited by
submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | 3 articles | Viewed by 5152 | Submission Open
Keywords: experimental fluid dynamics; fluid– structure interactions; flow-induced vibration; unsteady aerodynamics; flight/flow control; morphing wings; load control
(This special issue belongs to the Section Aeronautics)
Development of Novel Orbital Debris Protection Systems
edited by Igor Telichev
submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 3889 | Submission Open
Keywords: micrometeoroids and orbital debris (MMOD); hypervelocity impact testing and modelling; MMOD protection; shields; bumpers
(This special issue belongs to the Section Astronautics & Space Science)
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