Munich Aerospace, represented by Dr. Peter Hülse (Head of Strategy and Projects) and Sonali Rani (Ph.D. candidate and Munich Aerospace scholarship holder), participated in the RLS-Sciences Overall Conference 2024 in Québec City. The conference brought together international researchers from the Digital Health, Energy Network, Global Aerospace Campus, and Small Satellites groups.
In the Global Aerospace Campus group, key topics in the advanced air mobility sector took center stage. International participants from Bavaria, Georgia, Québec, São Paulo and Western Cape shared their latest advancements during the thematic sessions “Decarbonization: More Efficient Vehicles, Lighter Structures, and Less Polluting Systems” and “Autonomy and Safety of Aircraft Using Intelligent Technologies, Communication, Remote Control, and Cybersecurity”.
Munich Aerospace made significant contributions to the conference. Dr. Hülse moderated the Global Aerospace Campus thematic sessions and a workshop to discuss the way forward in the working group. He also showcased Munich Aerospace’s pivotal role within the Bavarian aerospace landscape in a cross-topic panel discussion on Promoting the Intersectoriality of Research Teams and Strengthening Industry Linkages. Ms. Rani, presented her cutting-edge work on Real-Time Optimal Control using Imitation Learning for Autonomous Flying Vehicles showcasing Munich Aerospace’s research prowess.
A major highlight was the introduction of Québec’s Aerospace Innovation Zone, Espace Aéro. This initiative aims to enhance global collaboration, attract talent, and drive sustainable, intelligent air mobility. It also offers exciting opportunities for researchers and students from Bavaria, supported by potential mobility funding.
Participants also visited the Longueuil Aerospace Innovation Hub, connecting with leaders from Québec’s aerospace sector, including CRIAQ (Consortium for Aerospace Research and Innovation in Québec), LIA (Living Lab for Innovation in Aerospace), ENA (École Nationale D’Aéronautique), ETS (École de Technologie Supérieure), CTA (Aerospace Technology Centre), Concordia University, Polytechnique Montréal, and more.
Following the conference, Dr. Hülse and Ms. Rani joined the Bavarian delegation for a bilateral networking mission, which included visits to key AI and aerospace institutions like MILA (Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Deep Learning), IVADO (Consortium for AI Research and Training), and CRIAQ. The mission concluded with a meeting at the State of Bavaria Office in Montréal.
We encourage Bavarian aerospace researchers and students to engage with future RLS-Sciences activities. RLS-Sciences events offer unique opportunities to discover global aerospace initiatives, meet potential partners, and explore funding possibilities. The new Espace Aéro innovation zone, along with the funding opportunities for Bavarian and Québec researchers and students, offers tremendous potential for fostering international collaboration and student exchanges. For more information please contact Peter Hülse and visit the RLS-Sciences homepage.
Finally, we would like to extend our gratitude to the RLS-Sciences teams in Bavaria (BayFor), Québec, and the State of Bavaria Office in Montréal for organizing such an enriching and enjoyable trip. Special thanks to all our hosts during the site visits. These networking events are invaluable for enhancing the international visibility of the Bavarian aerospace community.
