70th Anniversary of the von Karman Institute
Celebrating 70 Years of Excellence, Innovation and Global Impact!
On 18 and 19 September, the von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics (VKI) marked a major milestone: its 70th Anniversary. The celebration brought together a remarkable international community of partners, alumni, researchers, industry leaders, policymakers, universities, research organizations, and institutional stakeholders. Over two inspiring days, participants reflected on VKI’s outstanding legacy of scientific excellence, innovation, and collaboration, while exploring its pivotal role in addressing the aerospace and engineering challenges of the future.
This milestone celebration was a powerful demonstration of the impact VKI has had over the past seven decades and an affirmation of its vital role in advancing science, aerospace, defence, environmental science and engineering. VKI partners delivered a clear and unanimous message: VKI is a unique and strategic institution whose scientific excellence and educational mission continue to create value for industry, academia, government agencies and defence organizations worldwide.
A significant moment was the announcement by the Belgian Defence (Ministry of Defence), reaffirming its confidence in VKI through a sustained commitment of €10 million per year. This strong endorsement was complemented by the renewed support of the BELSPO (Belgian Science Policy Office), reaffirming its ongoing support to advancing VKI’s research activities and future growth.
Another landmark moment of the celebration was the signing of a collaboration agreement between VKI and Sonaca, formalized by Mr. Yves Delatte, CEO of SONACA, and Mr. Peter Grognard, Managing Director of VKI, paving the way for strengthened cooperation in the years ahead.
The ceremony was honored by the presence of HRH Princess Léa de Belgique and enriched by contributions from an outstanding group of speakers, including: Dr. Bryan Wells, Chair of the VKI Board of Directors, H.E. Ambassador Willem van de Voorde (Permanent Representation of Belgium to NATO), Major General An-Roos De Potter (RMA), Dr. Marius Gilbert (ULB), Dr. Christophe Bruggeman (SCK CEN), Dr. Tommaso Ghidini, Ph. D. (ESA), Dr. Rupak Biswas (NASA), Mr. Luca Bedon (AVIO AERO), Dr. Jan Danckaert (VUB), François Lepot (SAB), Major General Harold Van Pee (Belgian Defence) and Antoine de Borman (BELSPO). All these partners reaffirmed their commitment to continuing a strong collaboration with VKI over the coming decades.
During their presentations, Dr. Tommaso Ghidini (ESA) and Dr. Rupak Biswas (NASA) underscored the strategic importance of VKI to the future of space exploration. They noted that VKI's world-class infrastructure, ranging from the Plasmatron and advanced hypersonic test facilities to cryogenic testing capabilities and the DRAG-ON VLEO facility, enables groundbreaking research in atmospheric re-entry and space debris mitigation. Both speakers also recognized VKI as a key engineering partner whose expertise contributes significantly to the design, development, and validation of critical flight systems.
The ceremony concluded with the presentation of a letter of congratulations and a commemorative statuette to Mr. Peter Gorgnard on behalf of Professor Szczepański, Director of the Łukasiewicz, Institute of Aviation.
The celebrations continued on Saturday with the Alumni Day, bringing together VKI graduates, faculty members, researchers, and friends of the Institute. The event provided a unique opportunity to reflect on VKI's remarkable achievements over the past decades, celebrate the contributions of its global alumni community, and discuss the Institute's vision and ambitions for the future.
Programme
Friday, 18 September 2026
This day will be dedicated to highlighting the strong partnerships the Institute has built over the years.
10:00 – 10:30 Registration for the visit of the laboratories (outdoor area)
10:30 – 12:15 Visit of the laboratories (starting point outdoor area)
12:30 – 13:30 Sandwich lunch for the participants of the visit of the laboratories (outdoor area)
13:15 – 13:45 Registration (outdoor area)
14:00 – 16:40 Plenary Session featuring long-term VKI partners from industry, politics, universities, research centers, and governmental agencies: preliminary programme (auditorium)
Welcome
Prof. Dr. Cind du Bois, Full Professor at Royal Military Academy and Moderator of the Plenary Session
Opening Words
Dr. Bryan Wells, Chair of the Board of Directors, von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics
Welcome Address and VKI in the Future
Mr. Peter Grognard, Managing Director, von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics
Message from
His Excellency Ambassador Willem van de Voorde, Permanent Representative of Belgium to NATO
Seventy Years, One Mission: Research, Defense, and a Strong VKI–KMS Alliance
Major General An-Roos De Potter, Director of Royal Military Academy
Cultivating Talent Together: VKI-ULB Joint PhD and Academic Collaboration
Dr. Marius Gilbert, Vice-Rector for Research, Université libre de Bruxelles
A Longstanding Partnership: VKI and SCK CEN from MYRRHA to Small Modular Reactors
Dr. Christophe Bruggeman, Deputy Director-General of SCK CEN
Seventy Years of VKI: Enabling Europe’s Exploration of Space
Dr. Tommaso Ghidini, Head of the Mechanical Department, European Space Agency
Congratulatory Video Message
Dr. Josef Aschbacher, Director General, ESA
VKI and NASA: A Longstanding Partnership Advancing Fundamental Research
Dr. Rupak Biswas, Director, Exploration Technology Directorate, NASA Ames Research Center
Innovation in Motion: How VKI and Avio Aero Are Shaping the Future
Mr. Luca Bedon, Advanced Technology & Defense Engineering Leader, Avio Aero
An Alliance for Knowledge: VKI and VUB’s Academic and Scientific Collaboration
Dr. Jan Danckaert, Rector, Vrije Universiteit Brussel
VKI, Privileged Partners of Safran since Decades
Mr. François Lepot, Chief Executive Officer, Safran Aero Boosters
Message from Minister for Public Action and Modernization, in charge of Science Policy, Belgium
Mr. Antoin de de Borman, Couselor, Minister for Public Action and Modernization, in charge of Science Policy, Belgium
Message from Belgian Ministry of Defense
Major General Harold van Pee, Director Strategy, Minister of Defense, Belgium
Signature of a Collaboration Agreement with SONACA
Mr. Yves Delatte, CEO, SONACA and Mr. Peter Grognard, Managing Director, von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics
Closing Word
Mr. Peter Grognard, Managing Director, VKI
16:40 Reception (outdoor area)
Saturday, 19 September 2026 - Alumni Day
08:45 – 09:15 Registration and welcome for the morning’s visit of the laboratories (outdoor area)
09:15 – 11:00 VKI Alumni Association Board of Directors (for members of the Board only, invitation will be sent later by the VKI Alumni Association) (Navier room)
09:30 – 10:45 Visit of the laboratories (starting point outdoor area)
10:00 – 10:45 Registration and Welcome (outdoor area)
11:00 – 12:00 Academic Session : Past Foundations, Future Directions (auditorium)
Welcome Address
Mr. Peter Grognard, Managing Director, von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics
Word from the VKI Alumni Association
Dr. Cis De Maesschalck, President of the VKI Alumni Association and Capability Lead - Fluid Mechanics, Rolls-Royce
Shaping the Next 70 Years: VKI’s Strategy for the Future
Mr. Peter Grognard, Managing Director, von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics
Educating the Next Generation: The Strategic Evolution of VKI’s Academic Programmes
Prof. Jeroen van Beeck, Dean of the Faculty, von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics
Inspiring the Next Generation: Women Driving Innovation in Fluid Dynamics
Prof. Delphine Laboureur, Associate Professor and President of BeWise, von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics
Fluid Dynamics in the Age of AI: How Can VKI Lead?
Prof. Miguel Mendez, Associate Professor, von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics
12:00 – 12:15 Group picture (in front of the main building)
12:00 – 13:00 Sandwich Lunch
13:00 – 14:00 Alumni Session: The VKI Community - Alumni Speeches (auditorium)
Chair: Mr. Philippe Planquart, CPMO, voon Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics
Prof. Dr. Filippo Coletti
Full Professor, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zürich
Dr. George Symeonidis
Scientific Officer, European Commission
Prof. Clara García-Sánchez
Associate Professor, Department of Architecture and Built Environment, TU Delft
Dr. Jérôme Anthoine
Director of DMPE, Multi-Physics for Energetics Department, ONERA
Dr. Stefan Zemsch
Project Leader, HVAC-Sytstem Engineering and Simulation, BMW Group
14:00 – 15:00 Roundtable: the Future of VKI (auditorium)
Chair: Mr. Philippe Planquart, CPMO, voon Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics
15:00 – 15:30 Coffee break
15:30 – 15:50 Conclusion of the Roundtable (auditorium)
Chair: Mr. Philippe Planquart, CPMO, voon Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics
16:00 - 16:30 VKI Alumni Association General Assembly (auditorium)
Chair: Dr. Cis De Maesschalck, President of the VKI Alumni Association and Capability Lead - Fluid Mechanics, Rolls-Royce
Spouses and children are welcome to attend the following part of the programme:
16:45 – 18:15 Visit of the laboratories (starting point outdoor area)
18:30 Bus Departure from VKI to Hotel Van Der Valk Nivelles Sud (meeting point, in front of the main building outside the fence)
19:00 – 22:00 Alumni Dinner at Hotel Van Der Valk Nivelles Sud
The Alumni Dinner consists of a cocktail reception followed by a three-course dinner, drinks included. The children's menu is composed of one meal and one dessert, drinks included. You will receive several menu options to choose from at a later stage.
22:00 Bus Departure Back to Brussels (Stop at Waterloo, VKI, Brussels Centre). The last bus stop is avenue Louise in Brussels near the IBIS Brussels Centre Châtelain.