From September 20 to 25, 2026, the 27th Conference of the International Society for Air Breathing Engines (ISABE) took place in Mumbai, India. Under the theme “Propelling the Future: Air-Breathing Propulsion and the Next Generation of Aerospace Engineers,” international experts from research, industry, and government research institutions gathered.

ISABE provided a broad forum for current developments and future prospects in aerospace propulsion. The focus included advanced concepts such as open-fan architectures, SOFC systems, and other alternative, hybrid, and electrified propulsion concepts. These topics were complemented by presentations on sustainability in fuel use, hydrogen, combustion, turbomachinery, supersonic and hypersonic propulsion, as well as the integration and testing of new systems.

In addition to invited presentations and scientific sessions, the conference provided opportunities for thematically focused sessions and personal exchanges between academia and industry. A highlight of the program was a visit to Godrej Aerospace, where participants gained insights into the manufacturing facilities and production processes.

The KIT Institute for Thermal Turbomachinery was represented in the “Rotor Dynamics, Seals, and Losses” session with the presentation “Commissioning of a test rig for axial rub investigations of adaptive face seals.” The presentation covered the test rig concept, a failure analysis, and initial aerodynamic investigations and rubbing tests.

Participation in ISABE 2026 underscores the importance of international exchange for the further development of efficient, reliable, and sustainable aviation propulsion systems.