University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies

Institute for Aerospace Studies
Established 1949 (1949)
Parent institution Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering
Academic affiliation University of Toronto
Location Downsview, Ontario, Canada

The University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies (UTIAS, /juːˈtaɪəs/ yoo-TY-əs) is an advanced research facility for aeronautics and aerospace engineering, located in the Downsview district of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Established in 1949 by founding Director Gordon N. Patterson, the institute is managed by the University of Toronto Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering and mainly receives funding from governmental agencies such as the National Research Council, the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Space Agency. Notable international sponsors include the European Space Agency, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik, NASA Ames Research Center and the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority.

History

In 1970, the institute was involved in the emergency rescue of the Apollo 13 astronauts, after the mission was aborted by a major accident en route to the Moon. UTIAS was contacted for assistance due to its expertise in shockwaves and aerospace dynamics.[1] Engineers and scientists at UTIAS calculated the amount of pressure needed to separate the Lunar Module from the Command/Service Module without damaging the hatch, allowing the crew to survive the re-entry to Earth.[2] Observing the 40th anniversary of the incident in 2010, lunar module pilot Fred Haise wrote a letter thanking the UTIAS team for its contribution.[3]

In recent years, the institute has produced the world's first microwave-powered aircraft, the world's first engine-powered ornithopter (both inventions of James DeLaurier), and Canada's first space telescope, MOST. The major expertise areas represented are aircraft design, particularly at subsonic speeds, flight simulation, space mechatronics and robotics, microsatellite technology, computational fluid dynamics and nuclear fusion. The institute's partners in the aerospace industry include Bombardier Aerospace, MD Robotics (formerly Spar Aerospace) and General Atomics. It operates the Canadian Advanced Nanospace eXperiment Program for the study and testing of nanosatellite technology.

Past Faculty

The following professors have been granted Professor Emeritus status at UTIAS:

NameDegreesFromToResearch AreaNotable PublicationsNotes
J. D. DeLaurierB.S. (Illin.), M.S., Ph.D. (Stanford)1974Low-speed Aerodynamics
Jaap H. de LeeuwDipl. Eng (Delft), M.S (Georgia Tech), Ph.D.1958UTIAS Director 1975-1985, died 2012
Bernard "Ben" EtkinB.A.Sc., M.A.Sc., Ph.D. (Toronto)1942Flight DynamicsDynamics of Atmospheric Flight, Dynamics of Flight: Stability and ControlMember, Order of Canada; died 2014 (see also U of T In Memoriam)
John Barry FrenchB.A.Sc. (Toronto), M.Sc.(Manch.), Ph.D.1961Rarefied Gasdynamics, Mass SpectrometryMember, Order of Canada, co-founder of Sciex, Limited and Gedex Systems Inc.
Irvine Israel GlassPh.D.1950Shock WavesProf. Glass's personal records in the University of Toronto archive, Professor I. I. Glass: A Tribute and MemorialDied 1994
James J. GottliebB.Sc., M.Sc. (Sask), Ph.D.Computational Fluid Dynamics, Shock Waves
Anthony A. HaaszB.A.Sc., M.A.Sc., Ph.D.1972Fusion MaterialsUTIAS Director 1995-2005
Jorn S. HansenB.A.Sc., M.A.Sc., Ph.D. (Waterloo)Solid Mechanics, Aircraft Structures
Peter C. HughesB.A.Sc., M.A.Sc., Ph.D. (UTIAS), MBA (York,1996)1966Spacecraft Dynamics and ControlSpacecraft Attitude Dynamics, So You Want To Be A Professor?Founder of Dynacon Enterprises Limited
Gordon W. JohnstonB.A.Sc., M.A.Sc., Ph.D. (1953)1970Aeroacoustics
Gordon N. PattersonPathway to excellence: UTIAS, the first twenty-five yearsFounding UTIAS Director 1949-1974, died 1990
Lloyd D. ReidB.A.Sc., M.A.Sc., Ph.D.1965Aircraft Stability and Control, Piloted Aircraft PerformanceDynamics of Flight: Stability and Control
Herbert Spencer RibnerB.S. (Caltech.), M.S. & Ph.D. (Washington University in St. Louis, 1939)1955Aeroacousticsdied 2005
J. P. SislianM.Sc. (Yerevan), Cand. Phys. & Math. Sci. (Moscow), Ph.D.Died 5 May 2015
P. C. StangebyB.Sc., M.Sc., Dipl.Sci., D.Phil.(Oxon)1972Fusion Energy Technology
Philip A. SullivanB.E., M.E. (N.S.W.), D.I.C., Ph.D.(London)1965Air Cushion Vehicles
Roderick C. TennysonB.A.Sc., M.A.Sc., Ph.D.1965Aerospace Structures and MaterialsSo You Want To Be A Professor?UTIAS Director 1985-1995

Past Professors

NameDegreesFromToResearch Area
Joaquim R. R. A. MartinsM.Eng. (Imperial College), M.Sc. (Stanford), Ph.D. (Stanford)20022009Multi-Disciplinary Optimization
Raymond MeasuresPh.D. (Imperial College London)19641991Lasers, Plasmas, Optical Fibres and Structural Sensing
Werner G. RicharzB.A.Sc., M.A.Sc., Ph.D. (UTIAS)19781989Aeroacoustics

Notable alumni

  • Gerald Bull (Ph.D., 1950) One of the world's leading experts in ballistics, developer of advanced artillery, assassinated in 1990.
  • Thomas Siddon (M.A.Sc. & Ph.D., 1968) Served as Canadian federal Secretary of State for Science and Technology, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, and Minister of National Defence.

Aircraft

Rockets

UTIAS-Developed Satellites Launched

  • MOST, launched 30 June 2003 (Structure, Thermal, On-Board Computer and Communications subsystems, also ground station)
  • CanX-1, launched with MOST
  • CanX-2, launched 28 April 2008
  • NTS (Nanosatellite Tracking Ships), launched 28 April 2008 (build for ComDev)
  • AISSat-1, launched 12 July 2010 (built for Norwegian Defense Research Establishment)
  • CanX-3 satellites --- TUGSat-1 and UniBRITE-1 launched 25 February 2013

References

  1. ↑ Sullivan, Phil. "An Account of UTIAS Involvement in the Rescue of Apollo 13". University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies.
  2. ↑ "Canadians celebrate Canada's contribution to the safe return of the Apollo 13 astronauts on 40th anniversary of original space mission" (PDF). Canadian Air and Space Museum.
  3. ↑ "UTIAS - Bringing Apollo 13 Home". Aerospace Industries Association of Canada. Archived from the original on 2010-05-23.
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