Forging International Partnerships in Aerospace: Insights from ICASSE 2025

The Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, led by Profs. Khoo Boo Cheong, Zhu Lailai, Chng Tat Loon and Spot Srigrarom, hosted the 9th International Conference on Aerospace System Science and Engineering (ICASSE 2025), on 29-31 July 2025. This event was jointly organised with Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the Technical University of Munich Asia Campus, bringing together global wisdom to discuss Frontiers in Aerospace. ICASSE, organised annually since 2017, provides a forum that brings together experts in aeronautics and astronautics to share new ideas and findings.

This year’s ICASSE gathered more than 180 scholars from 12 countries and regions including China, Germany, Russia, Japan, Canada, and Singapore. The conference focused on cutting-edge technologies in the aerospace field, conducting in-depth discussions on topics such as overall design of aircraft, navigation guidance and control, electric aviation, structures and safety, propulsion technology, and the application of AI in aerospace. It featured 3 keynote lectures, 9 invited talks, and 61 thematic reports, establishing a platform for academic exchange and cooperation in the global aerospace field.

At the opening ceremony, Prof. Poh Seng Lee, the head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the National University of Singapore, Dr.Markus Wächter, the Vice President and head of the Asia campus of the Technical University of Munich, and Prof. Liu Fucheng, the Dean of the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, each delivered a speech. Prof. PS Lee welcomed the delegates to ICASSE and Singapore. He also introduced the Department of Mechanical Engineering and NUS, as well as the Master of Science in Robotics and Aeronautical Engineering specialisation programmes.

 

Prof. Liu Fucheng of SJTU reviewed the development of ICASSE since its inception in 2017 and emphasised the importance of holding this conference in Singapore. He stated that Singapore is a major hub for global technological innovation, and ICASSE 2025 provides an exchange platform for global aerospace scholars, hoping to promote more international cooperation and breakthroughs in cutting-edge technology through this conference.

The academic exchange segment was vivid and exciting, with scholars from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Moscow State Technical University of Civil Aviation, University of Toronto, National University of Singapore, Technical University of Munich, Bundeswehr University Munich, York University, Brno University of Technology, Samara National Research University, Chiang Mai University, University of Tokyo, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China sharing their latest research findings, fully showcasing the hot topics and development trends in the field.

Highlights of the keynote reports: Professor George Zhu from York University shared a new framework for computational control of spatial cable systems, stating that its methodology can be applied to fields such as robotics and mechanical systems, demonstrating breakthroughs in spatial flexible structure control technology. Professor Kimiya Komurasaki from the University of Tokyo explored the application of lunar aluminum ore mining in Martian rocket fuel, providing new ideas for deep space exploration. Professor Florian Holzapfel from the Technical University of Munich analyzed the control and dynamics challenges of electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOL), looking forward to the development of urban air mobility in the future.

In addition, the conference featured a special “Academic Achievement Poster Exhibition” and a “Meet the Editor” session. The poster sections displayed 30+ posters from students.

More than 20 students from Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s “Sailing Plan” engaged in in-depth discussions with global experts. PhD student Chen Xuanyu expressed, “The ‘Meet the Editor’ session was incredibly beneficial, allowing him to hear from the editors of top journals in the aerospace field. He now has a clearer plan for my future research direction.”

On July 31, the conference closed. Xu Wu, Vice Dean of the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, delivered the closing remarks, expressing gratitude for the enthusiastic participation and high-quality academic sharing from attendees, and announced the three best paper awards, three best paper nominations, and four best poster awards, which were selected through strict review processes. Prof. Xu Wu stated that the successful organisation of ICASSE 2025 is the result of joint efforts, and he looks forward to continuing to deepen international cooperation to jointly promote innovation in aerospace technology.

Prof. Wu and all the organising committees thank the Department of Mechanical Engineering and NUS and all organisers for hosting the event and providing exceptional welcome and hospitality to everyone. All the delegates had excellent impressions of NUS and Singapore and expressed their thanks and gratitudes. The conference concluded with the sumptuous and memorable dinner reception at the Princess Terrace restaurant, Copthorne King Hotel.  The dinner was filled with friendships, congeniality, cooperations and bonding among old and new friends across the world. With this, ICASSE 2025 conference concluded successfully.