University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies

The University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies (UTIAS,  /juːˈtaɪ.əs/ yew-ty-əs) is an advanced research facility for aeronautics and aerospace engineering, located in the Downsview district of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Established in 1949, 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 and the Department of National Defence. 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.

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] 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 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 nanoscale devices.

UTIAS enrolls about 80 students in M.A.Sc., M.Eng., and Ph.D. programs. In addition, institute members work with the faculty's undergraduate engineering science division to teach courses in the program's aerospace concentration option.

In the August 2010 the landmark 40 ft steel sphere, running a blowdown supersonic wind tunnel, standing outside the entrance of UTIAS is being removed to make room for a new building.

Current Faculty

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Professors Emeriti

Adjunct Professors

References

  1. ^ Sullivan, Phil. "An Account of UTIAS Involvement in the Rescue of Apollo 13". University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies. http://www.utias.utoronto.ca/AssetFactory.aspx?did=220. 
  2. ^ "Canadians celebrate Canada's contribution to the safe return of the Apollo 13 astronauts on 40th anniversary of original space mission". Canadian Air and Space Museum. http://www.casmuseum.org/common/PDF/pressreleases/CASM_Apollo_13_Release_2010.pdf. 
  3. ^ "UTIAS - Bringing Apollo 13 Home". Aerospace Industries Association of Canada. http://www.aiac.ca/success-stories/utias-bringing-apollo-13-home.aspx. 

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