The EUROAVIA Hypersonic Symposium 2025, held in Stuttgart, Germany, brought together aerospace enthusiasts from several different countries for a comprehensive four-day event focused on the future of hypersonic technology. Hosted by EUROAVIA Stuttgart, the event served as a dynamic platform for both knowledge and cultural exchange. The symposium took place from May 20 to May 23, with attendees participating in a blend of technical presentations, lab tours, and social activities designed to foster a healthy learning environment. Key sponsors for the event included Airbus and Ansys, whose support helped make this initiative possible.
Day 1 – Tuesday, May 20: Arrival and Welcome Dinner
The first day of the symposium was devoted to arrivals and introductions. Participants from multiple countries gathered in Stuttgart. After a long travel, the attendees met at the scenic Teehaus in Stuttgart-Süd for a relaxed welcome dinner.
The venue, perched on a hillside with panoramic views of the city, offered a serene atmosphere for initial interactions. Guests were served local specialties, including Maultaschen burgers-a Swabian twist on a classic dumpling-and a variety of regional beers. This culinary introduction set the stage for cultural immersion and gave international attendees their first taste of Baden-Württemberg’s traditions.
The informal setting encouraged easy dialogue among participants and organizers. For many, this was a great opportunity to connect with fellow aerospace students from other universities, and the mood was light, welcoming, and full of anticipation for the days to come.
Day 2 – Wednesday, May 21: First Day of Lectures
The academic portion of the symposium began on Wednesday, albeit with a delayed start due to last-minute changes in the schedule. Participants gathered for lunch at the university canteen, enjoying a casual atmosphere despite short but intense downpours that briefly interrupted outdoor plans.
The first technical lecture was hosted at the Institute of Space Systems (IRS) and delivered by M. Sc. Johannes Oswald. His presentation, titled “Application of Hypersonic Aerothermodynamics in Re-entry Technology,” focused on the complex interplay of heat, pressure, and materials behavior encountered during re-entry phases of spacecraft missions. Attendees gained valuable insights into thermal protection systems and high-temperature gas dynamics, making it a strong start to the technical side of the symposium.
Following the presentation, participants enjoyed free time, including a beer pong tournament with some of the organisers even joining in. This resulted in bringing the participants even closer together and let them enjoy some shared successes in the game. This would not have been possible without sponsoring by Käpsele, who fortunately supplied the beer.
The day concluded with a communal dinner featuring a vegan-friendly dish, Lentil Bolognese, granting everybody the chance to have a warm meal together.
Most of the Participants opted to go to one of the universities bars to end the night with some light-hearted fun.
Day 3 – Thursday, May 22: Technical Focus and Networking
The second day of lectures featured a more intensive schedule. The morning began with a keynote by Christoph Kirchenberger from the German Aerospace Center (DLR), who delved into advanced propulsion concepts and current DLR research in hypersonic technology.
After a lunch of Chili sin Carne, participants toured the ITLR laboratories at the University of Stuttgart. These labs play a crucial role in experimental hypersonic research, and the tour allowed attendees to engage with cutting-edge testing equipment and ongoing student-led projects.
The hands-on nature of the tour allowed attendees to directly observe tools and methods used in hypersonic research, bridging the gap between theoretical coursework and applied engineering. Students engaged with ongoing research projects and learned about the interdisciplinary nature of hypersonic system development.
Later in the day, a fourth technical session was led by John Ressel, who presented on test facilities used at the university for simulating extreme
hypersonic environments. This lecture was supported by a photo series highlighting the sophisticated infrastructure used in experimental aerospace engineering.
Group photos were taken to commemorate the day’s activities before transitioning into the evening schedule. Dinner consisted of a traditional Swabian meal-lentils with Spätzle-followed by the much-anticipated “Spirits Night” held at WuBa, a popular student bar. This social event allowed participants to unwind, strengthen connections, and reflect on the day’s experiences in a festive setting.
Day 4 – Friday, May 23: Final Program and Farewell
The final day began with a comprehensive lab tour at the IRS, offering a closer look at active research programs and a plasma wind tunnel, which can be used to simulate the behaviour of air flow in respect to thermochemical processes and reactions at a point along the trajectory of a return vehicle. Participants were guided through experimental setups and simulation suites that support ongoing EU-funded and national research efforts.
Following the lab tour, the organizers prepared a lunch for all participants, providing one last opportunity to gather in a casual, collaborative setting. The rest of the afternoon was allocated as free time, during which participants explored Stuttgart, revisited favorite spots on campus, or simply relaxed before the closing event.
The final gathering took place at “Onkel Otto”, a local restaurant. The evening was filled with laughter, shared memories, and heartfelt farewells. Photographs from the dinner captured the spirit of the event – a community brought together by a shared passion for aerospace innovation.
Conclusion
The EUROAVIA Hypersonic Symposium 2025 successfully blended academic rigor with cultural engagement, offering attendees a multidimensional experience that went beyond the classroom. Thanks to the support of sponsors such as Airbus and Ansys, the event was able to maintain a high standard of professionalism and hospitality. Through its series of expert lectures,
interactive lab tours, and social gatherings, the symposium provided a valuable platform for learning, networking, and celebrating the vibrant future of hypersonic technology.