Discovery Canyon Student Shines at Regional Aerospace Symposium

Aryan Tuteja

Most competitors in a regional aerospace conference poster contest were undergraduate and graduate students from top institutions such as the U.S. Air Force Academy, CU Boulder, UCCS, Pikes Peak State College, Colorado State University, Colorado School of Mines, and Louisiana Tech. However, among the 24 entrants at the AIAA Annual Technical Symposium hosted at UCCS on Friday 9/12, one student stood out in a special way.

Aryan Tuteja, a senior at Discovery Canyon Campus High School and the only high school student in the competition, earned 2nd place for his research poster, “The Feasibility of Crewed Mars Mission Landing with Aerobraking.” His achievement is especially remarkable given the level of competition from seasoned college researchers.

Tuteja has been conducting research for the past two summers in the Space Systems Laboratory at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs under the mentorship of Dr. Lynnane George and UCCS aerospace engineering student Josh Pappas. His work focuses on aerobraking maneuvers for future human missions to Mars. He mastered NASA’s Mars-GRAM atmospheric modeling software to simulate and analyze the Martian atmosphere, producing accurate and innovative results that have contributed to ongoing research discussions.

In addition to his technical skills, Tuteja’s drive and professionalism shine through his outreach and service. He volunteers with nonprofits such as Cool Science and the Space Foundation, mentors students through Schoolhouse.world, and even founded his own nonprofit, Topicly, which connects underprivileged students with research opportunities around the world. His environmental leadership through the Stanford Climate Leaders Fellowship has led to multi-year projects addressing waste management with AI-driven solutions.

Dr. George describes him as “one of the most driven and talented high school students I have ever mentored—he brings the curiosity, creativity, and discipline I typically see in advanced college students.”

Aryan’s 2nd-place finish at the AIAA Symposium is a testament not only to his research abilities but also to his potential as a future leader in aerospace engineering and beyond.

Submitted by Dr. Lynnane George, UCCS