Spotlight: Matt Nurick Aviation Week's 20 Twenties Winner 2026

Matt Nurick is a 2026 20 Twenties winner and an undergraduate student at the University of Michigan, where he is pursuing his B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Class of 2026. His innovative work focuses on advancing avionics systems and launch vehicle technology through hands-on engineering and systems integration.

Nurick led avionics development for the University of Michigan's first successful rocket launch and recovery mission this decade, serving as the sole avionics engineer responsible for the entire system architecture. He defined comprehensive system requirements, designed a custom flight computer, and developed integrated telemetry systems that enabled real-time mission monitoring and successful vehicle recovery. His work represents a significant milestone in the university's rocketry program. As a launch engineering intern at SpaceX, he enhanced GPS calibration systems, achieving substantial reductions in cost, mass, and processing time while improving overall system performance.

Beyond his technical contributions, Nurick demonstrates exceptional leadership in fostering the next generation of aerospace engineers. As president of the university's American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics student branch, he coordinated more than 40 events for the engineering community and helped grow active membership by 1,000%, creating a vibrant ecosystem for student engagement and professional development.

He is committed to pursuing advanced research in aerospace systems engineering and aims to continue developing innovative solutions for next-generation launch and flight systems.