Many extensive biographies of Dr. von Karman have been written. The present biographical sketch intends to give the highlights of the more international aspects of his carreer, of which the VKI itself is an outstanding example.
Theodore von Karman was born in the year 1881 in Budapest, the son of a noted Hungarian educator and philosopher, Professor Maurice von Karman. His father had great vision and saw the necessity of developing common understanding among scientists and professionals of similar interests from many nations. His mother, Helen, was a gifted lady who contributed greatly to the same goals, through a broad intellectual home life. As a result, Theodore oriented his own life to help make his father’s vision come true. He grad- uated with highest honours from the Royal Institute of Technology in Budapest where he showed a pronounced ability in the field of applied mechanics. Recognizing these talents, his father encouraged him to study in other countries to broaden his background from an international and human, as well as scientific, point of view. As a result, Theodore von Karman went to Göttingen and became assis- tant to the great Ludwig Prandtl.
During this period he displayed his marked aptitude to simplify complex problems by identifying and concen- trating on the essential physical phenomena, neglecting sec- ond order effects. A typical example is his analysis of the well known Karman vortex street. In 1912 Dr. von Karman became Director of the Aerodynamics Institute of the Technische Hochschule, Aachen. Under his leadership the Institute gained world- wide recognition, especially for its international flavour, since he actively encouraged the participation of scientists of different nationalities in his Institute. He travelled exten- sively, lectured in many countries, and his home in Vaals was an open-house for visiting scientists. In 1930 he accepted the directorship of the Guggenheim Aeronautical Laboratory, California Institute of Technology (U.S.A.), which he rapidly built into a world- recognized Institute with pronounced international aspects. At the same time he became increasingly active in international scientific societies.
At the end of World War II, Dr. von Karman was deeply grieved at the drastic set-back to international science, especially that scientists of many nations had been working in isolation from each other. He felt strongly that the impressive technological advances during the war could become, if put on a collaborative basis, of use to the good of all.
During the post-war period, Dr. von Karman envisaged broad goals for international scientific collaboration. In his typical fashion, he broke down complex problems into separate manageable tasks. In this step-by-step approach, one of his major concepts, namely that of a multi-national scientific advisory group, took the form of the Advisory Group for Aeronautical Research and Development (AGARD) in 1952.
An equally important goal in Dr. von Karman’s vision was that of a multinational aeronautics research Institute. This eventually developed into what is now known as the von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, object of the present publication on the occasion of its fiftieth anniversary.
From Bruxelles-Brussel-National Airport - Your route plan Those arriving by air are warned that the taxi fare from the airport to Central Brussels is rather high. A train service links the airport with the three main railway stations (gare du Midi (Brussel-Zuid Station), Gare centrale (Brussel-Centraal Station) and gare du Nord (Brussel-Noord Station), the journey taking about 20 minutes. Participants will effect a considerable saving of money if they take this train and complete their journey to the hotel by taxi or on foot from the stations.
Near "the Gare du Midi", you can take busses 136 (recommended), 137 (recommended), W or 365a to VKI (Rhode-Saint-Genèse or Sint-Genesius-Rode) and alight at the "Espinette Centrale" or "Middenhut". (map of Gare du Midi)
Eurostar and Thalys stop at the Gare du Midi.
A train also links the three main railway stations with the station at Rhode-Saint-Genèse or Sint-Genesius-Rode, which is about 2,5 km from the VKI.
By car: From center of Brussels Those arriving by car should follow signs indicating the center of Brussels ("Centrum") and enquire about the location of their hotel when they are in the central area.
By car: From Bruxelles-Brussel-National Airport - Your route plan - the map Airport Bruxelles-Brussel-National Take Direction "Bruxelles Sud, Leuven" Continue on the R0 (Ring)/ E40 You will pass close to Tervuren Continue R0 (Ring) Take the exit 27 (WATERLOO-LASNE) Continue along "Drêve de Richelle" Turn right on "Chaussée de Bruxelles" (N5)
By car: From France - Your route plan - the map Take E19 Direction "Bruxelles, Liège, Mons" Close to Bruxelles, take the R0 (Ring) Take the exit 27 (WATERLOO-LASNE) Continue along "Drêve de Richelle" Turn right on "Chaussée de Bruxelles" (N5)
By bus: From Charleroi Brussels South Airport, Charleroi to the von Karman Institute
Take bus A direction CHARLEROI Sud. Stop at CHARLEROI Sud quai 03 (18 min) Then take the bus 365a direction BRUXELLES. The bus stops in front of the von Karman institute (Ch.Grande Espinette - 70 min.)
Let me take this opportunity to welcome you to the website of the von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics. I would like to share some insights about the VKI with you.
Green technologies such as noise reduction, reduction of pollution (NOX releases) as well as global warming (CO2 release) are the drivers for revolutionary changes in century old industries like aerospace, car industry or energy conversion. New ideas like using micro satellites for in orbit technology demonstration and debris mitigation, advances in new propulsion concepts and qualification of new reusable materials will make future high speed travel affordable.
These are some of the topics that bring young engineers and scientists from all over the world to the von Karman Institute to study, improve their skills and perform their research. Located in Sint-Genesius-Rode near Brussels, this non-profit international educational and scientific organization is specialized in fluid dynamics (flows of liquids, gases and plasmas) in the area of Aeronautics and Aerospace, Environmental and Applied Fluid Dynamics, and Turbomachinery and Propulsion. The von Karman Institute prides itself in providing "advanced training in research through research".
The VKI acknowledges the sustained support from BELSPO, the Belgian Defence and its international consortium of member states, which has allowed the VKI to reach the present level of competence and its worldwide recognition as a true center of excellence in fluid dynamics.
Peter Grognard Managing Director of the von Karman Institute
About VKI
VKI is a non-profit international educational and scientific organisation, hosting three departments (aeronautics and aerospace, environmental and applied fluid dynamics, and turbomachinery & propulsion). It provides post-graduate education in fluid dynamics (Research Master in Fluid Dynamics (Master-after-master level), former "VKI Diploma Course", Doctoral Programme, Short Training Program and lecture series) and encourages "training in research through research". The von Karman Institute undertakes and promotes research in the field of fluid dynamics. Extensive research on experimental, computational and theoretical aspects of gas and liquid flows is carried out at the VKI under the direction of the faculty and research engineers, sponsored mainly by governmental and international agencies as well as industries.
The von Karman Institute organizes each year 8 to 12 one-week Lecture Series on specialized topics in the field of aerodynamics, fluid mechanics and heat transfer with application to aeronautics, space, turbomachinery, the environment and industrial fluid dynamics. These courses have gained over the years world wide recognition for their high quality which is the result of a careful choice of subjects of current interest and lecturers known for their excellency in that field and willing to co-operate in building up well-structured courses.
VKI has a permanent staff of approximately 165 persons. Besides the permanent staff about 300 students and temporary researchers are involved in the different academic programmes. Students involved in these programmes have been recently awarded numerous prestigious grants such as those provided by the Belgian agencies FNRS, FRIA, FWO and the European Union ERC and Marie-Curie.
Furthermore, this Center of Excellence operates about fifty different wind tunnels, turbomachinery and other specialized test facilities; some of them being unique. The facilities of the Institute are renowned and VKI is recognized as a world-class research center of excellence by its peers.
On Thursday 25 August 2023, at the von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics (VKI), a cooperation agreement was signed between ESA and VKI for cooperation in the field of space technology and engineering. This agreement has been signed by Mr. Peter Grognard, Managing Director of VKI and Mr. Torben Henriksen, director of technology, engineering, and quality of ESA in the presence of Mr. Frank Monteny, Director of the General Research and Space at Belgian Science Policy (BELSPO). Following some long-standing and successful cooperation and mutually beneficial relationship, this agreement establishes the arrangement for cooperation between ESA and VKI to strengthen their reciprocal experience and knowledge in the field of space research. VKI, with the support of ESA, is interested in expanding the scientific research activities in Belgian companies and universities, in particular those related to space.
The von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics (VKI) has signed on Wednesday June 8th, 2022 in New York a Space Act Agreement for structural cooperation with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). VKI researchers will help their American colleagues to ensure that spacecraft withstand their dangerous reentry into the Earth’s atmosphere.
The VKI acknowledges the sustained support from BELSPO, the Belgian Defence and its international consortium of member states, which has allowed the VKI to reach the present level of competence and its worldwide recognition as a true center of excellence in fluid dynamics.
Sixteen NATO countries among thirty-two contribute to the financing of the von Karman Institute. Those countries are actually represented at several levels in the governance bodies of the von Karman Institute: Board of Directors, General Assembly, Scientific Advisory Committee and NATO Working Group on the Financing of the von Karman Institute.
BELGIUM
BULGARIA
CZECH REPUBLIC
FRANCE
GERMANY
GREECE
HUNGARY
ICELAND
ITALY
LUXEMBURG
NORWAY
PORTUGAL
ROMANIA
TÜRKIYE
THE NETHERLANDS
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (pending)
Organization Chart
Board of directors
Dr. Bryan WELLS, Chair, United Kingdom
Major General Philippe WAEYTENS, Vice Chair, Belgian Defense
Peter GROGNARD, Managing Director, von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, Belgium
Baron Derrick-Philippe GOSSELIN, Chairman SCK CEN, Vice Chair and Director at the Royal Higher Institute for Defence, Emeritus Professor at UGent, Belgium
Adm. Michel HOFMAN (ret.), Belgium (*)
Hervé LAURENT, Defence Innovation Agency, France
Thomas PARDOEN, Professor, Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium
H.E. Willem VAN DE VOORDE, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Belgium to NATO, Belgium
Tudor PRISECARU, Professor, Politechnica University Bucharest, Romania
Steen SØNDERGAARD, NATO Chief Scientist, Chair of the Science and Technology Board at NATO, Denmark (*)
Sven VAN LOO, Institutional and Infrastructure Development, von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, Belgium
(*) nomination to the Board of Directors pending, to be confirmed in Decembre 2025
Previous Chairmen of the Board of Directors
Mr. Sven Van Loo November 2017 - Mai 2025
Professor Jean-Jacques Dordain April 2016 - November 2017
Dr. Hervé Consigny Vice-chairman ad interim November 2015 until April 2016
Many extensive biographies of Dr. von Karman have been written. The present biographical sketch intends to give the highlights of the more international aspects of his carreer, of which the VKI itself is an outstanding example.
During the post-war period, Dr. von Karman envisaged broad goals for international scientific collaboration. In his typical fashion, he broke down complex problems into separate manageable tasks. In this step-by-step approach, one of his major concepts, namely that of a multi-national scientific advisory group, took the form of the Advisory Group for Aeronautical Research and Development (AGARD) in 1952.
Download the access map in pdf
John Wendt, Director from 1990-1999
Jean Smolderen, Director from 1970-1976
Robert Dietz, Director from 1965-1970
William F. Campbell, Director from 1962-1965
L. Sterne, Director from 1958-1962
R.P. Harrington, Director from 1956 -1958