Spotlight: Jeanne Longlune Aviation Week's 20 Twenties Winner 2026

Jeanne Longlune is a 2026 20 Twenties winner and a graduate student at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), where she earned her B.S. in Engineering Sciences from the Free University of Brussels, Class of 2023, and is pursuing her M.S. in Earth and Space Physics and Engineering, Class of 2025. Her pioneering research focuses on enhancing space safety through advanced computational methods for satellite reentry prediction.

Longlune addresses the growing challenge of orbital debris management by developing sophisticated machine-learning models that dramatically accelerate satellite reentry prediction while maintaining rigorous physical accuracy. Working collaboratively across DTU, Aalto University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, she created innovative surrogate models that enable rapid assessment of thousands of reentry scenarios, supporting design-for-demise strategies that minimize debris risks. Her advanced visualization tools translate complex reentry dynamics into actionable insights, directly informing engineering design decisions and regulatory frameworks for orbital debris mitigation.

A first-generation college student from a farming family in Belgium, Longlune brings a grounded, pragmatic perspective to her research spanning multiple nations and institutions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she cofounded two nonprofit initiatives in Belgium, coordinating the provision of protective materials to hospitals and care centers.

She is committed to continuing her work advancing space safety and sustainability and aims to develop solutions that ensure the long-term viability of space operations for future generations.