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DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20230913T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20230913T193000
DTSTAMP:20260421T012502
CREATED:20230829T063313Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230829T072449Z
UID:2481-1694628000-1694633400@aiaa-sf.org
SUMMARY:Tech Talk: 196 Days Off the Planet
DESCRIPTION:196 Days Off the Planet with Astronaut Dan Bursch\nDan Bursch will discuss the adventure of living in space during his stay on the International Space Station from December 2001 until June 2002. Through pictures and stories\, he will discuss the challenges of working on an international program\, and show just a few of the beautiful views of our spaceship Earth. \nSelected by NASA in January 1990\, Bursch became an astronaut in July 1991. His technical assignments included: Astronaut Office Operations Development Branch\, working on controls and displays for the Space Shuttle and Space Station; Chief of Astronaut Appearances; spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) in mission control. A veteran of four space flights\, Bursch has logged over 227 days in space. He was a mission specialist on STS-51 (1993)\, STS-68 (1994) and STS-77 (1996) and served as flight engineer on the International Space Station (ISS) Expedition-Four (2001-2002). Dan Bursch and fellow astronaut Carl Walz have one of the longest single flights for US astronauts: 196 days in space. In January 2003\, Bursch reported to the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey\, CA for a two-year assignment as an instructor in the Space Systems Academic Group.  In June 2004 he was appointed Associate Dean of the Graduate School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.  Bursch retired from the Navy in July 2005 after 26 years of service.  He then joined the Aerospace Corporation and served as the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) Advisor at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey until his retirement in 2019. \n  \n  \nDoors open: 6:00pm \nFood: 6:15pm \nPresentation: 6:30pm \nAdvance registration required! Refreshments (pizza\, sandwiches\, drinks) will be served at the presentation for pre-paid attendees only. \n  \nhttps://aiaa-sf.org/registration/ \nShare this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)
URL:https://aiaa-sf.org/event/tech-talk-196-days-off-the-planet/
LOCATION:Santa Clara University\, 500 El Camino Real\, Santa Clara\, CA\, 95053\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://aiaa-sf.org/wp-content/uploads/ISS.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20231209T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20231209T140000
DTSTAMP:20260421T012502
CREATED:20231122T214913Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231208T082950Z
UID:2555-1702123200-1702130400@aiaa-sf.org
SUMMARY:AIAA Banquet 2023
DESCRIPTION:Registration: https://aiaa-sf.org/registration/ \n  \nCome join AIAA-SF for food and fun at our 2023 Annual Banquet on December 9th. Help us celebrate with this year’s Section Awards winners. Your ticket includes lunch\, admission to the Oakland Aviation Museum and its exhibits\, and a presentation from our special guest Shannah Withrow-Maser about the Mars Helicopter. \nIngenuity has shown that flying in the Martian atmosphere is possible\, and that helicopters can provide critical insight and support to ground-based assets. Though Ingenuity was designed for five flights\, to date\, 66 flights have been completed with ~119 min of flight time and ~9 miles flown. What would it take for an Ingenuity-class helicopter to help return the first samples from Mars to Earth? The smallest robotic arm ever flown on Mars\, more capable rotors\, a driving system\, and flight software upgrades to start. The Mars Sample Recovery Helicopters are in development to provide back up to the Perseverance rover as part of the Mars Sample Return mission concept. Come hear about the work required to quickly transition a helicopter design from a technology demonstrator to a flying\, driving\, sample collecting capable vehicle and the potential future of rotorcraft on Mars! \nShannah Withrow-Maser is an Aerospace Engineer at NASA Ames Research Center. She is the Aeronautics System Lead for the Mars Sample Recovery Helicopter and the Vehicle Systems Lead for the Mars Science Helicopter\, the next generation of Mars rotorcraft which will enable exploration of previously inaccessible regions of Mars for science and human exploration. \nShannah joined the NASA Ames community in 2014 as a first-generation college student in the Aeromechanics Internship Program and converted to full-time civil service in 2019 after completing the Pathways Program. Outside of the Mars rotorcraft program\, Shannah has supported handling qualities work in the Vertical Motion Simulator\, mentored ~160 high school\, undergraduate\, and graduate college students\, and is currently working on adapting rotorcraft tools from urban air mobility and Mars applications to the extreme environments on natural disasters. She was also a founding member of the first ever Ames Early Career Advisory Group and agency-wide NASA United Early Career Group. \nShannah is a member of the 2023 Forbes 30 Under 30 class\, and seeks to embody the quote from Ayesha Siddiqi\, “Be the person you needed when you were younger.” \n  \n  \nOnline registration is required. Tickets will not be sold at the event. \nRegister here: \nhttps://aiaa-sf.org/registration/ \nShare this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)
URL:https://aiaa-sf.org/event/aiaa-banquet-2023/
LOCATION:Oakland Aviation Museum\, 8252 Earhart Rd\, Oakland\, 94621\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://aiaa-sf.org/wp-content/uploads/mars-helicopter.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240208T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240208T203000
DTSTAMP:20260421T012502
CREATED:20240123T113034Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240123T113706Z
UID:2639-1707417000-1707424200@aiaa-sf.org
SUMMARY:Tech Talk: Defects in Aircraft Design
DESCRIPTION:Registration: https://aiaa-sf.org/registration/ \nDefects in Aircraft Design & Materials: Engineering Lessons Learned\nWhy have preventable mishaps in aircraft occurred (which are not the fault of pilots)\, resulting in loss of life and property? How are aircraft put into service with potentially fatal control and stability issues? Many of these incidents are directly attributed to human error and negligence in aircraft design as well as processing of materials (manufacturing issues). How can engineers prevent or at least minimize such unpleasant events\, thus improving aircraft safety? What lessons can we learn from historical mishaps\, so that they might be avoided in the future? \nAnswers to these questions will be addressed\, in the course of exploring a series of famous case studies\, involving both civil and military aircraft. We will see in these cases how engineers recovered from hidden defects (discovered downstream via aircraft mishaps)\, and developed workable solutions. \nLarry Rinek\, a Senior Consultant in the Automotive & Transportation practice at Frost & Sullivan in Palo Alto (as well as an aviation historian\, former USAF officer\, former student pilot\, trained engineer\, veteran of the U.S. aerospace industry\, active member of both AIAA and SAE technical societies) will present an interesting and educational PowerPoint slide show on this topic. \nDespite lessons learned (presumably) and continual upgrades of engineering methods/tools as well as manufacturing processes over time\, unfortunate things still manage to happen to aircraft that are avoidable. Views on future solutions for this challenge will be discussed. Larry will include a dramatic video clip of a defective aircraft suffering the consequences. \n  \n  \nAdvance registration required! Tickets will not be sold at the event. Refreshments (pizza\, sandwiches\, drinks) will be served at the presentation for paid attendees only. \n  \nhttps://aiaa-sf.org/registration/ \nShare this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)
URL:https://aiaa-sf.org/event/tech-talk-defects-in-aircraft-design/
LOCATION:Hacker Dojo\, 855 Maude Avenue\, Mountain View\, CA\, 94043\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://aiaa-sf.org/wp-content/uploads/UA-232.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240306T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240306T200000
DTSTAMP:20260421T012502
CREATED:20240218T040806Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240305T122550Z
UID:2727-1709749800-1709755200@aiaa-sf.org
SUMMARY:Tech Talk: Rotorcraft Flight Control Technology
DESCRIPTION:Registration required: https://aiaa-sf.org/registration/ \n  \nRotorcraft Flight Control Technology – Advancements and Future Challenges\nwith Dr. Mark B. Tischler\nat Santa Clara University\, Daly Science Building\, Room 207 \n\n  \nSpecial joint event with the Santa Clara University student branch of AIAA\, and the IEEE Control Systems Society in Silicon Valley!\nIn his updated Nikolsky Lecture “Rotorcraft flight control technology advancements and future challenges\,” Dr. Tischler first summarizes the key flight control design drivers that distinguish rotorcraft from their fixed-wing counterparts. The second part of his presentation reviews the key advancements in flight control technology over the past 50 years. Dr. Tischler researched the literature extensively to ensure that his presentation would cover both the activities of Army and their research partners as well the contributions of the many other research organizations world-wide that together have affected a “sea change” in how flight control systems for rotorcraft are developed. \nIn the next part of his lecture\, Dr. Tischler considers the flight control challenges for future rotorcraft concepts\, include the Army’s Future Vertical Lift\, autonomous air systems (UAS) based on existing piloted rotorcraft\, and eVTOL multicopter configurations (often referred to as drones in the popular media) for package delivery and air taxi (UAM — Urban Air Mobility). This section proposes how the flight control technologies of the past 50 years will be key to address the challenges of these new configurations. Finally\, Dr. Tischler present his own personal thoughts on some keys to flight control research advancements and some broader thoughts on lessons learned as a career long flight control engineer and senior technologist. Key messages of this last section are the importance of collaboration\, technology transfer\, and mentors throughout one’s career. \n  \n \nDr. Mark Tischler heads “Tischler Aeronautics\,” with a focus on providing Engineering Support in Rotorcraft and Aircraft Flight Dynamics and Control. He retired in January 2021 after a 38-year career as a US Army Senior Technologist and Senior Scientist at Moffett Field\, CA. For over 25 years\, he led the Flight Control Technology group that conducts handling qualities\, flight dynamics and control research on a wide range of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft and unmanned air vehicles (UAVs). Dr. Tischler has been involved in numerous flight-test projects in both his industry and government career. \nDr. Tischler has published extensively in this field having authored or co-authored over 200 research publications. He is the author of three widely-used books Aircraft and Rotorcraft System Identification: Engineering Methods with Flight Test Examples (AIAA 2006\, 2012); Practical Methods for Aircraft and Rotorcraft Flight Control Design: An Optimization-Based Approach (AIAA 2017); and Advances in Aircraft Flight Control (Ed) (AIAA and Taylor & Francis\, 1996). \nDr. Tischler has received many major awards for his work over the years\, including named American Helicopter Society’s Technical Fellow (2007) and Nikolsky Honorary Lectureship (2020) for life-time career achievements in rotorcraft flight control. He has the rare distinction of twice receiving the Presidential Rank Award for Distinguished Senior Professional (2009\, 2018)\, the highest recognition presented to public officials. Dr. Tischler received the Department of the Army Distinguished Civilian Service Medal in 2020\, the highest award that may be bestowed by the Secretary of the Army for extraordinary contributions as a Senior Research Scientist. \nHe received his BS and MS in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Maryland\, and his PhD in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Stanford University. \n  \nAdvance registration required! Tickets will not be sold at the event. Refreshments (pizza\, sandwiches\, drinks) will be served at the presentation for paid attendees only. \nIt will also be streamed over Zoom for those who wish to join remotely. \nhttps://aiaa-sf.org/registration/ \nShare this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)
URL:https://aiaa-sf.org/event/tech-talk-rotorcraft-flight-control-technology/
LOCATION:Santa Clara University\, 500 El Camino Real\, Santa Clara\, CA\, 95053\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://aiaa-sf.org/wp-content/uploads/XV-15-Tiltrotor-Cropped.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240430
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240501
DTSTAMP:20260421T012502
CREATED:20240411T112650Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240418T013409Z
UID:2934-1714435200-1714521599@aiaa-sf.org
SUMMARY:2024 SSTC Essay Contest
DESCRIPTION:Theme\nExplore the profound effects of space observation on a particular industry of your choice. Investigate how advancements in satellite technology have revolutionized this industry’s practices\, strategies\, and overall impact. Consider the differences in data resolution (spatial\, temporal\, spectral) obtained on the ground\, from an airplane or space. Discuss how space observation has either complemented or replaced the other observation methods of the chosen industry. \n  \nEligibility\nAny 7th or 8th grader \nDeadline\nApril 30\, 2024 \nThe AIAA-SF section is participating in the contest\, so if you would like to participate\, please email your submission to:\nchair@aiaa-sf.org (not the emails in the flyer). \n  \nMore info about the judging criteria and prizes can be found on the official flyer below\n\n \nShare this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)
URL:https://aiaa-sf.org/event/2024-sstc-essay-contest/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240523T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240523T210000
DTSTAMP:20260421T012502
CREATED:20240323T015628Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240504T003031Z
UID:2912-1716489000-1716498000@aiaa-sf.org
SUMMARY:Tech Talk: Psyche
DESCRIPTION:https://aiaa-sf.org/registration/ \nNOTE: The event has been rescheduled to May 23. If you registered before\, you don’t need to register again. \nPsyche: Adapting a Comm Spacecraft to Explore a Metal-Rich Asteroid\nThe Psyche spacecraft\, built by Maxar in partnership with NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Arizona State University\, is flying to 16-Psyche\, an all-metal asteroid orbiting between Mars and Jupiter. Humanity has never before explored a world like it. But terrestrial planets like Earth are presumed to have metallic cores beneath their crusts. Psyche will hopefully help us learn more about planet cores: how planets are formed or how they get ripped apart. If it could be mined\, 16-Psyche could be worth $10\,000 quadrillion (that’s 19 zeros). \nThe program was first proposed in 2011\, NASA put out the initial proposal in 2014\, and JPL\, ASU\, and Maxar were awarded the contract in 2017.  It was launched on October (Friday the) 13th\, 2023\, and left the Earth on a Falcon Heavy. At 5 months into the mission\, the spacecraft is healthy. It is expected to reach 16-Psyche in August 2029. \nPsyche is adapted from the Maxar 1300 series bus\, which was designed as a geostationary (GEO) communications and remote sensing platform. It has 4 highly efficient electric propulsion thrusters and 12 “simple” cold gas thrusters. The electric propulsion produces about as much force as getting hit in the head with a piece of paper. With no atmospheric drag these thrusters can accelerate objects to incredibly high speeds\, but also be used to get into orbit around the asteroid and spiral down to low altitudes.  Between the thrusters and a Mars flyby\, it will reach 124\,000mph relative to Earth before orbiting the asteroid. For comparison\, the Lucy mission (launched in 2021) with a chemical propulsion system will visit multiple asteroids via short duration flybys. \nIn addition to the primary asteroid mission\, Psyche also hosts the laser-based DSOC (Deep Space Optical Communications) technology demonstration\, which is breaking records on how much data can be transferred from deep space. \nDr. Ian Johnson a Principal Engineer at Maxar Space Systems\, where he leads propulsion work for several bipropellant and electric spacecraft\, including Psyche. He received his Ph.D. in aerospace engineering from University of Washington in 2015\, where his research focused on integrating an alternative propellant Pulsed Plasma Thruster into the High-Power Helicon Thruster Experiment. He joins Santa Clara University this year as a lecturer in the Mechanical Engineering Department. \n  \n  \nAdvance registration required! Tickets will not be sold at the event. Refreshments (pizza\, sandwiches\, drinks) will be served at the presentation for paid attendees only. \nhttps://aiaa-sf.org/registration/ \n  \n  \nNASA’s Psyche Mission to an Asteroid: Official NASA Trailer \n\nShare this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)
URL:https://aiaa-sf.org/event/tech-talk-psyche/
LOCATION:Hacker Dojo\, 855 Maude Avenue\, Mountain View\, CA\, 94043\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://aiaa-sf.org/wp-content/uploads/Psyche-PIA21499.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240530T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240530T200000
DTSTAMP:20260421T012502
CREATED:20240521T051700Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240521T234813Z
UID:3013-1717093800-1717099200@aiaa-sf.org
SUMMARY:Tech Talk: Enabling the Future Space Economy
DESCRIPTION:How will artificial intelligence and microgravity revolutionize the future space economy? Impacts are anticipated from machine vision and navigation\, to medical advances and additive manufacturing. Al Tadros\, CTO of Redwire\, now a major aerospace manufacturer\, will discuss these technological implications as well as some regulatory and policy hurdles ahead of us. \nSpecial thanks to Santa Clara University for providing space for this talk. \n \n  \n  \nAl Tadros is the Chief Technology Officer of Redwire. In this role\, he is focused on making strategic investments that support Redwire’s customers\, advancing technology development and commercialization\, and maintaining a nimble and collaborative technical culture. With nearly three decades of experience as an aerospace executive\, Al is a thought leader in in-space servicing\, assembly and manufacturing with a proven track record in maturing satellite and space systems programs for exploration\, national security\, and commercial innovation.\nPreviously\, Al was Chief Growth Officer and Executive Vice President of Space Infrastructure at Redwire. In this role\, he oversaw the company’s long-term growth strategy and business development activities\, and was responsible for advancing development\, increasing adoption\, and building momentum for Redwire’s mission-enabling capabilities within the civil\, defense\, and commercial space sectors.\nPrior to Redwire\, he served as Vice President of Space Infrastructure and Civil Space at Maxar Technologies\, where he led significant innovation in next-generation spacecraft design and space infrastructure\, integrating robotics and in-space satellite manufacturing\, servicing\, and assembly capabilities. Over the course of his career at Maxar\, Al contributed to 13 missions and launch campaigns\, many of which deployed cutting-edge communications and remote sensing systems. Al has worked with both commercial enterprises and government agencies to develop space systems for communications\, satellite servicing\, remote sensing\, and exploration.\nAn authority in in-space servicing\, assembly\, and manufacturing\, Al holds patents in the field of attitude control systems and was responsible for early telerobotics research for the International Space Station.\nHe holds a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). \n  \nSchedule: \nDoors open: 6:15pm\nPresentation: 6:30pm \nDaly Science Building\, Room 207\nParking available in the main garage structure or north parking garage \nAdvance registration required! Tickets will not be sold at the event. Refreshments (pizza\, sandwiches\, drinks) will be served at the presentation for paid attendees only. \nhttps://aiaa-sf.org/registration/ \nShare this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)
URL:https://aiaa-sf.org/event/tech-talk-future-space-economy/
LOCATION:Santa Clara University\, 500 El Camino Real\, Santa Clara\, CA\, 95053\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://aiaa-sf.org/wp-content/uploads/MainPic_Cropped_withAttribute.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240917T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240917T203000
DTSTAMP:20260421T012502
CREATED:20240813T023522Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240916T090023Z
UID:3118-1726596000-1726605000@aiaa-sf.org
SUMMARY:Tech Talk: Human Spaceflight
DESCRIPTION:Human Spaceflight: An Evolving Process\nFrom very early times\, individuals and cultures dreamt first of human flight\, and then space flight\, which ultimately contributed to the Apollo 11 Moon landing. The Apollo landings\, in turn\, were inspirational for many\, including some who ended up becoming astronauts. Human spaceflight further evolved during the Space Shuttle\, Mir\, and ISS programs. More recently\, the development of commercial spacecraft led to the rise of Commercial Astronauts\, Research Astronauts\, and Scientist Astronauts. Human spaceflight has evolved\, and is currently evolving\, in ways that will expand human presence in space and afford scientific\, research\, engineering\, and commercial opportunities. \nJoin our special guest\, Commercial Astronaut Richard Blakeman\, as he takes us through a journey from human’s early flight aspirations\, through the more “traditional” routes to space\, (such as the typical NASA astronaut selection process\,) and finally to the latest developments in the area of human spaceflight. \n  \nOriginally from Denver\, Colorado\, Richard Blakeman is a professional Airline Captain (retired)\, Flight Systems Instructor\, Aerospace Research Pilot\, Scientist\, Engineer\, Spaceflight Researcher\, and AIAA member. He holds a B.S. in Aerospace Science\, turbojet systems engineering/meteorology minor; an M.S. in Aeronautical Sciences\, and is currently working on a Ph.D. in Human Spaceflight Engineering/Human Factors. He has completed the FAA-approved Suborbital Scientist Astronaut Training Program at the National Aerospace Training and Research Center (NASTAR). Additionally\, he has completed the Scientist Astronaut Training Program through the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences (IIAS) and has been active in human spaceflight research\, development\, testing\, and mission operations since the organization’s founding in 2015. Captain Blakeman served as the Executive Officer and Crew Engineer of the Crew 192 Mars analog mission at the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS). Captain Blakeman is a rated Command Pilot with nearly 19\,000 hours of flight experience\, Airline Transport Pilot\, Flight Engineer\, Military Aviator\, and Military Parachutist. Operational experience includes: search and rescue\, reconnaissance\, survey\, experimental research and test missions flown for numerous military and government agencies. Professional interests include: Aerospace sciences/engineering; astronaut/pilot crew operations and training; and STEAM education programs. \n  \n6:00 Doors open\, networking\n6:15 Food arrives\n6:30 Presentation begins\n7:15 Q&A\n7:30 Event ends\n(All times approximate) \nAdvance registration required! Refreshments (pizza\, sandwiches\, drinks) will be served at the presentation for paid attendees only. Food tickets must be purchased before noon on the event day. \nhttps://aiaa-sf.org/registration/ \nShare this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)
URL:https://aiaa-sf.org/event/tech-talk-human-spaceflight/
LOCATION:Hacker Dojo\, 855 Maude Avenue\, Mountain View\, CA\, 94043\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://aiaa-sf.org/wp-content/uploads/spaceflight.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20241022T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20241022T203000
DTSTAMP:20260421T012502
CREATED:20241003T065619Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241017T070050Z
UID:3199-1729620000-1729629000@aiaa-sf.org
SUMMARY:Tech Talk: Leadership\, Technology\, and Innovation
DESCRIPTION:Image Credit: NASA / Joel Kowsky \nLeadership\, Technology\, and Innovation\nIn the high-technology world\, organizations innovate or die. Standing still is not an option. Too often\, team leaders are selected for their technical expertise; the best contributor gets selected to lead. Unfortunately\, this often leads to disaster. Leadership requires a particular set of soft skills\, and\, too often\, companies promote individuals to leadership positions without providing them the opportunity to acquire leadership skills. Recent research indicates that while technical expertise is necessary\, it is not sufficient. Leading for success and innovation requires skills not often included within STEM curricula. Here we will define what leadership is; why it is needed; the connection to innovation; and how leadership is developed and applied. In particular\, we will discuss the special challenges\, inevitable in the tech leader’s career\, that arise when he or she is called upon to lead teams comprised of high-performance individuals whose technical skills exceed one’s own. \nGene Hudson\, BSEECS\, MBA (matriculation Dec. 24). Gene is a leadership and management consultant and trainer. He has expertise in organizational culture\, leadership\, and management for safety and innovation. He has held leadership positions and/or taught leadership in government\, industry\, and academia. He currently serves as an Assistant Chief Instructor at an industry school. He is a pilot\, and a flight instructor\, with over 20\,000 hours of flight time in more than 100 aircraft types. \n  \n6:00 Doors open\, networking\n6:15 Food arrives\n6:30 Presentation begins\n7:15 Q&A\n7:30 Event ends\n(All times approximate) \nAdvance registration required! Refreshments (pizza\, sandwiches\, drinks) will be served at the presentation for paid attendees only. Food tickets must be purchased before noon on the event day. Remote only tickets are also available. \nhttps://aiaa-sf.org/registration/ \nShare this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)
URL:https://aiaa-sf.org/event/tech-talk-leadership/
LOCATION:Hacker Dojo\, 855 Maude Avenue\, Mountain View\, CA\, 94043\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://aiaa-sf.org/wp-content/uploads/leadership.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20241123T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20241123T140000
DTSTAMP:20260421T012502
CREATED:20241107T113527Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241121T102259Z
UID:3239-1732363200-1732370400@aiaa-sf.org
SUMMARY:AIAA Banquet 2024
DESCRIPTION:Voyager Spacecraft\nSpecial discount for students. Please see registration page for details. \nCome join AIAA-SF for food and fun at our 2024 Annual Banquet on November 23rd. Help us celebrate with this year’s Section Awards winners. Your ticket includes lunch\, admission to the Chabot Space & Science Center and its exhibits\, including the NASA Ames visitor center (https://chabotspace.org/)\, and a presentation from our special guest Todd Barber about the long history\, and ongoing travels\, of the Voyager 1 & 2 spacecraft. \nVoyagers 1 and 2 started off on an ambitious journey to explore the outer planets in our solar system\, including two that had not been visited before. Along the way\, they made many incredible discoveries. Now\, more than 47 years later\, they continue to perform an important role in interplanetary science. But their explorations have not been without challenges; in recent months\, there have been issues that threatened the continuation of their mission. Come hear an overview of the Voyager program\, and the ingenious ways that NASA overcomes obstacles to keep the spacecraft running. \n \nTodd J. Barber is a JPL senior propulsion engineer\, spending two decades as lead propulsion engineer on the Cassini mission to Saturn\, following part-time work on the Mars Exploration Rover (MER) mission\, Deep Impact mission\, and the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission\, which landed the large rover Curiosity on the red planet on August 5th\, 2012.  Cassini was launched on October 15\, 1997 on its two-billion-mile\, seven-year journey to the ringed planet.  It “took the plunge” into Saturn’s atmosphere in 2017 after thirteen years in orbit around Saturn.  The MER team launched twin rovers to the red planet in June and July of 2003\, and Spirit and Opportunity lasted six years and fourteen years\, respectively\, into their three-month missions.  Todd also worked as the lead impactor propulsion engineer on Deep Impact\, which successfully crashed into Comet Tempel-1 on Independence Day\, 2005\, at twenty-three-thousand miles per hour.  Todd recently completed working on the Dawn mission\, an ion propulsion mission to the two largest main-belt asteroids\, Vesta and Ceres.  He also recently began supporting the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission and was the Mars2020 propulsion lead engineer for operations.  Much to Todd’s delight\, he is now supporting the Voyager mission as well\, more than forty years after launch\, along with the recently launched Europa Clipper mission. \n  \nMr. Barber worked on the Galileo project for over seven years and his primary responsibility was getting Galileo into Jupiter orbit on December 7\, 1995.  Todd also worked part-time on the Space Infra-Red Telescope Facility (SIRTF) mission and on the Stardust mission\, as well as the Mars Sample Return mission and a Mars airplane study.  Todd received NASA’s Exceptional Achievement Award in 1996 for his work on Galileo.  In 2018\, Mr. Barber was also honored to receive NASA’s Exceptional Public Service Medal for heading up Cassini’s propulsion team for nearly two decades. \n  \nMr. Barber is a native of Wichita\, Kansas\, and attended MIT between 1984 and 1990\, obtaining B.S. and M.S. degrees in aerospace engineering\, with a humanities concentration in music.  He is also a composer of church choral music\, with two pieces published to date.  His hobbies include singing charitably and professionally\, playing the piano\, snagging degree confluences (exact integer latitude/longitude intersections)\, visiting all the U.S. tri-state corners and national parks\, playing basketball (though it’s been a while)\, and amateur astronomy. \n  \nSchedule (approximate): \n10:00 Museum opens\n12:00 Room opens\, lunch begins\n12:30 Awards presentation\n1:00 Guest speaker\n1:45 Q&A\n2:00 Networking\n2:30 Room closes\n5:00 Museum closes \n  \nCome as early as 10:00 am\, or stay as late as 5:00 pm\, to explore Chabot \n  \nOnline registration is required. Tickets include lunch and admission to Chabot Space & Science Center as well as the NASA Ames Visitor Center. Tickets will not be sold at the event. \nRegister here: \nhttps://aiaa-sf.org/registration/ \n  \nShare this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)
URL:https://aiaa-sf.org/event/aiaa-banquet-2024/
LOCATION:Chabot Space & Science Center\, 10000 Skyline Blvd\, Oakland\, 94619\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://aiaa-sf.org/wp-content/uploads/Voyager.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250130T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250130T200000
DTSTAMP:20260421T012502
CREATED:20241229T115722Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241229T115847Z
UID:3283-1738261800-1738267200@aiaa-sf.org
SUMMARY:Tech Talk: Space Bridge Partners
DESCRIPTION:Space Bridge Partners: Connecting Funders and Space Missions\nEvery year around the world\, dozens of universities\, civil space agencies\, and nonprofit organizations plan crucial space missions focused on exploration\, science\, and education objectives\, and then they struggle to get the funding needed to turn their dreams into reality. Ironically\, at the same time\, there are hundreds of family offices\, corporate brands\, media producers\, and commercial banks that have funds available to support space projects. Unfortunately\, they struggle to find the best way to connect with any space missions and structure a mutually beneficial relationship. Space Bridge Partners fills this gap in order to help humanity broaden its knowledge of the Earth and the universe in which we exist. \nCome join our guest\, CEO Sarah Pousho\, as she talks about what Space Bridge Partners does\, and what their mission is. She’ll also give some anonymized examples of the missions currently in their pipeline. \n \nAs Co-Founder and CEO of Space Bridge Partners\, Sarah Pousho spearhead a pioneering advisory firm\, the first with the goal of seamlessly connecting private funding and space missions focused on exploration\, science\, and education. Her role encompasses new business development\, relationship building\, strategic thinking\, and sales strategy\, contributing to their unique position in the industry. With a robust global network and expertise in securing strategic sales and licensing partnerships\, Sarah’s journey includes building international teams to launch and grow consumer product lines with best-in-class retailers and licensors across North America\, Europe and the Pacific. She’s also passionate about girls and women in STEM fields\, and helping to encourage getting more females in the space sector. \n  \n6:00 Doors open\, networking\n6:15 Food arrives\n6:30 Presentation begins\n7:15 Q&A\n7:30 Event ends\n(All times approximate) \nAdvance registration required! Refreshments (pizza\, sandwiches\, drinks) will be served at the presentation for paid attendees only. Food tickets must be purchased before noon on the event day. \nhttps://aiaa-sf.org/registration/ \nShare this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)
URL:https://aiaa-sf.org/event/tech-talk-space-bridge-partners/
LOCATION:Hacker Dojo\, 855 Maude Avenue\, Mountain View\, CA\, 94043\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://aiaa-sf.org/wp-content/uploads/Space-Bridge-Partners.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250225T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250225T193000
DTSTAMP:20260421T012502
CREATED:20250129T033219Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250223T193320Z
UID:3310-1740506400-1740511800@aiaa-sf.org
SUMMARY:Tech Talk: Dragonfly
DESCRIPTION:https://aiaa-sf.org/registration/ \nDragonfly: A Relocatable Rotorcraft Lander for the Exploration of Saturn’s Moon Titan\nNASA’s 4th New Frontiers Mission is the Titan Dragonfly relocatable lander. This coaxial quadrotor vehicle will be launched on a rocket to Titan in 2028. Following a gravity assisted Earth flyby and an approximate 6-year transit\, Dragonfly will enter the Titan atmosphere around 2034 with the goal of exploring Titan’s pre-biotic chemistry and habitability. The multirotor design for this unique application has continually evolved since 2016 with constraints such as Titan’s cryogenic atmosphere at 95 Kelvin (-288 F)\, gravity 14% that of Earth’s\, atmospheric density 440% of standard sea-level air\, and the inability to test the entire system together under all these conditions until the first flight on Titan. This talk will discuss some of the unique challenges for rotary wing operation on Titan and highlight some contributions of the NASA Ames Aeromechanics Office to Dragonfly. \nDr. Jason Cornelius is an aerospace engineer in the Aeromechanics Office at NASA Ames Research Center. His research interests are in rotorcraft design optimization with machine learning. Jason completed his PhD at Penn State University supporting the NASA Dragonfly mission\, which he continues to support along with other NASA funded projects and initiatives. \n  \nSchedule \n6:00 Doors open\, networking\n6:15 Food arrives\n6:30 Presentation begins\n7:15 Q&A\n7:30 Event ends\n(All times approximate) \nAdvance registration required! Refreshments (pizza\, sandwiches\, drinks) will be served at the presentation for paid attendees only. Food tickets must be purchased before noon on the event day.\nThere will also be a live stream for those who want to attend virtually. Registration is still required. \nhttps://aiaa-sf.org/registration/ \nShare this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)
URL:https://aiaa-sf.org/event/tech-talk-dragonfly/
LOCATION:Hacker Dojo\, 855 Maude Avenue\, Mountain View\, CA\, 94043\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://aiaa-sf.org/wp-content/uploads/Dragonfly.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250513T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250513T193000
DTSTAMP:20260421T012502
CREATED:20250422T072006Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250422T102240Z
UID:3441-1747159200-1747164600@aiaa-sf.org
SUMMARY:Tech Talk: Artemis
DESCRIPTION:https://aiaa-sf.org/registration/ \nFrom Photons to Ions: The Electric Heart of the Artemis Lunar Space Station\nPresented by Jordan Gormaly and Ian Johnson\, Maxar Space Systems\nJoin the AIAA San Francisco Chapter for an exciting presentation from Maxar Space Systems engineers Jordan Gormaly and Ian Johnson\, who will give an inside look at the Power and Propulsion Element (PPE) spacecraft – the first vital component of NASA’s Lunar Gateway\, a key part of the Artemis program to return humans to the Moon. \nDesigned and built by Maxar\, the PPE is a cutting-edge spacecraft that will provide solar electric propulsion\, power\, and communications for the Gateway\, which will serve as a lunar outpost orbiting the Moon (A Lunar Space Station!). Jordan and Ian will break down the innovative technology behind the PPE\, the engineering challenges of operating in deep space\, and how this spacecraft will support future crewed missions to the lunar surface – and beyond. \nWhether you’re a space enthusiast\, student\, or aerospace professional\, this talk offers a unique opportunity to hear firsthand how industry is contributing to the next era of human space exploration. \nJordan Gormaly is a systems architecture engineer at Maxar Space Systems\, where she is responsible for electrical power system design and analysis work on the PPE program. Her degree is in Electrical Engineering from the University of California\, Davis. \n  \nIan Johnson is a propulsion engineer at Maxar Space Systems\, where he leads propulsion work for several bipropellant and electric spacecraft\, including PPE. His degree is in aerospace engineering from the University of Washington. \n  \nSchedule \n6:00 Doors open\, networking\n6:15 Food arrives\n6:30 Presentation begins\n7:15 Q&A\n7:30 Event ends\n(All times approximate) \nAdvance registration required! Refreshments (pizza\, sandwiches\, drinks) will be served at the presentation for paid attendees only. Food tickets must be purchased before noon on the event day.\nRegistration is still required. \nhttps://aiaa-sf.org/registration/ \nShare this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)
URL:https://aiaa-sf.org/event/tech-talk-artemis/
LOCATION:Hacker Dojo\, 855 Maude Avenue\, Mountain View\, CA\, 94043\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://aiaa-sf.org/wp-content/uploads/Artemis.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250826T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250826T203000
DTSTAMP:20260421T012502
CREATED:20250813T022656Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250813T205538Z
UID:3601-1756231200-1756240200@aiaa-sf.org
SUMMARY:Tech Talk: Advanced Air Mobility in a Shared Sky
DESCRIPTION:https://aiaa-sf.org/registration/ \nCleared for Takeoff: Advanced Air Mobility in a Shared Sky\nPresented by Dr. Jaewoo Jung\, NASA Ames Research Center \nThe airspace over the United States is entering an era of unprecedented complexity. The current system manages approximately 45\,000 daily flights serving more than 800 million passengers annually\, a figure expected to grow to 1.2 billion by 2045. This traditional air traffic will soon be integrated with emerging technologies\, including supersonic jets and the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) initiative. \nAAM represents a new transportation ecosystem\, utilizing everything from drone delivery services and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxis to regional air vehicles\, all designed to increase access to areas underserved by the current aviation industry. Adding a vertical dimension to this crowded environment\, space operations are also increasing dramatically\, with launches projected to rise from 148 in 2024 to 338 by 2028.\nThis convergence of diverse air and space traffic gives new meaning to the concept of “shared airspace.” This presentation will analyze current and future operations\, highlight the critical need for enhanced coordination\, and discuss how rapidly developing Artificial Intelligence could be pivotal in prioritizing and managing airspace access among all stakeholders. \nDr. Jaewoo Jung leads the Aerospace High Density Operations Branch at NASA Ames Research Center\, focusing on the integration of both emerging and established aircraft operations within the national airspace\, emphasizing safety and operational efficiency. Dr. Jung’s leadership in the groundbreaking UTM (Unmanned Aircraft Systems Traffic Management) project\, along with his innovative research in extended Traffic Management (xTM)\, has been instrumental in enhancing airspace safety for all users. Furthermore\, Dr. Jung is dedicated to furthering his knowledge in astronautic traffic coordination\, a commitment that supports the burgeoning space economy. \n  \nSchedule \n6:00 Doors open\, networking\n6:15 Food arrives\n6:30 Presentation begins\n7:15 Q&A\n7:30 Event ends\n(All times approximate) \nAdvance registration required! Refreshments (pizza\, sandwiches\, drinks) will be served at the presentation for paid attendees only. Food tickets must be purchased before noon on the event day.\nThere will also be a webinar link available with any ticket. \nhttps://aiaa-sf.org/registration/ \nShare this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)
URL:https://aiaa-sf.org/event/tech-talk-advanced-air-mobility/
LOCATION:Hacker Dojo\, 855 Maude Avenue\, Mountain View\, CA\, 94043\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://aiaa-sf.org/wp-content/uploads/AAM.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250925T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250925T193000
DTSTAMP:20260421T012502
CREATED:20250909T080926Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250910T075508Z
UID:3701-1758823200-1758828600@aiaa-sf.org
SUMMARY:Tech Talk: Mars Sample Return Helicopter Testing
DESCRIPTION:https://aiaa-sf.org/registration/ \nPerformance Analysis and Data Processing for the Mars Sample Recovery Helicopter in the Jet Propulsion Laboratory 25-ft Space Simulator\nPresented by Dr. Natasha Lydia Schatzman\, NASA Ames Research Center \nOn April 19\, 2021\, Ingenuity became the first helicopter to fly on Mars at Jezero Crater\, completing a total of 72 flights by the end of its mission. The success of Ingenuity resulted in various research efforts to further explore Mars via vertical flight\, including two optimized Ingenuity-sized helicopters proposed to retrieve samples for the 2028 Mars Sample Return mission. To aid in the design process for the two proposed Sample Retrieval Helicopters\, both heritage and optimized\, increased diameter rotors were tested at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in the 25-ft Space Simulator. Three test campaigns were performed using the Ingenuity rotors and optimized Sample Retrieval Helicopter (SRH) rotors for several rotor speeds\, densities\, configurations\, and collectives to identify performance limitations. These three test campaigns included the Ingenuity Engineering Design Model 1 (EDM-1) with and without a cruciform box\, Transonic Rotor Test (TRT) rig\, and SRH Dual Rotor Test (DRT). Experimental setup\, test matrix\, data processing\, data quality\, and performance results for EDM-1\, TRT\, and DRT campaigns are presented and discussed. Experimental results from the test campaigns will aid in future experimental methods and validation efforts for planetary rotorcraft exploration. \nDr. Natasha Lydia Schatzman has worked at NASA Ames Research Center in the Aeromechanics Office for over 15 years and was the first Ames NASA Pathways Intern\, paving the way for others. Dr. Schatzman has immersed herself in NASA’s mission to aid in the future of Urban Air Mobility (UAM) and the design\, testing\, and analysis of planetary vehicles. Most recently\, she was awarded the 2025 Waves of Change Rising Technology Star Award\, VFS Alex Stoll Award\, and the VFS San Francisco Bay Area Chapter’s Velkoff Award for Outstanding Technical Paper. Dr. Natasha Schatzman truly believes that if we want to innovate\, progress\, and advance technology\, then we must inspire\, mentor\, and transfer knowledge responsibly for the future! She has mentored over 60 students since 2008 in the Aeromechanics Office at NASA Ames\, who have gone on to become leaders in academia\, industry\, and government and has reached thousands with her outreach efforts. \n  \nSchedule \n6:00 Doors open\, networking\n6:15 Food arrives\n6:30 Presentation begins\n7:15 Q&A\n7:30 Event ends\n(All times approximate) \nAdvance registration required! Refreshments (pizza\, sandwiches\, drinks) will be served at the presentation for paid attendees only. Food tickets must be purchased before noon on the event day.\nThere will also be a webinar link available with any ticket. \nhttps://aiaa-sf.org/registration/ \nShare this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)
URL:https://aiaa-sf.org/event/mars-sample-return-helicopter-testing/
LOCATION:Hacker Dojo\, 855 Maude Avenue\, Mountain View\, CA\, 94043\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://aiaa-sf.org/wp-content/uploads/Mars-Helicopter-scaled.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251115T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251115T190000
DTSTAMP:20260421T012502
CREATED:20251022T112547Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251115T074018Z
UID:3795-1763226000-1763233200@aiaa-sf.org
SUMMARY:AIAA Banquet 2025
DESCRIPTION:From RASCAL to RASCAL-X: Celebrating a Legacy of Rotorcraft Innovation\nhttps://aiaa-sf.org/registration/ \nCome join AIAA-SF for food and fun at our 2025 Annual Awards Banquet on November 15th. Help us celebrate with this year’s Section Awards winners and other honorees. Your ticket includes dinner\, admission to the Moffett Field Museum\, and a presentation from our special guest\, Jay Fletcher\, on the history and ongoing story of the RASCAL helicopter. \nThis presentation highlights the legacy and future of vertical lift research through the U.S. Army’s Rotorcraft Aircrew Systems Concepts Airborne Laboratory (RASCAL) program. Centered around the newly inducted JUH-60A Black Hawk RASCAL—now a featured exhibit at the Moffett Field Museum—the talk will reflect on over three decades of innovation in flight control\, human-machine interfaces\, and handling qualities science and technology. \nOriginally conceived in 1989 to meet the evolving research needs of NASA and the U.S. Army\, the JUH-60A RASCAL was transformed into a full-authority\, fly-by-wire flying laboratory. Equipped with a programmable flight control system\, real-time obstacle detection and avoidance\, and a color helmet-mounted display\, RASCAL served as a versatile testbed for a wide range of experimental technologies. From advancing sensor-driven autonomous navigation to the development of MIL-DTL-32742\, its contributions have shaped the trajectory of modern rotorcraft systems. \nWith the retirement of the JUH-60A platform\, the RASCAL legacy continues in the form of the newly developed UH-60M-based RASCAL-X. Making its maiden flight in April 2024\, RASCAL-X is designed to support next-generation research in modular open systems architecture\, advanced flight controls\, human-machine teaming\, and autonomy. As a national asset\, RASCAL-X will enable future breakthroughs in Army aviation and vertical lift science for years to come. \n \nJay Fletcher is a former RASCAL flight test engineer\, project manager\, and Deputy Director of the U.S. Army Aeroflightdynamics Directorate (AFDD) at NASA Ames Research Center. Jay began his career at AFDD after graduating from Princeton University in 1985. He earned a Master’s Degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering at Stanford while working as an aerospace engineer and a RASCAL principal investigator at AFDD in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. He published several papers and reports focused on the identification of rotorcraft flight dynamics using RASCAL flight test data that were used in the design of the RASCAL flight control system and continue to be widely referenced. \nJay left government service in the late ‘90s to pursue a career in automotive racing engineering\, but returned to AFDD in 2004. He served as the RASCAL project manager from 2005 to 2012\, and guided many of the aircraft’s most productive flight test development projects. Jay also oversaw RASCAL work as the AFDD Deputy Director from 2012 to 2018. \nIn 2018 Jay transferred from the Army to NASA\, and became the Director of the New Opportunities Center at NASA Ames. He later served as the Deputy Director of Aeronautics (acting) and the Associate Director of Aeronautics Projects. He currently serves as the Deputy Director of the Programs and Projects Directorate at Ames. \n  \nSchedule: \nDinner starts at approx. 5:00 pm \nCome as early as 4:00 pm\, or stay as late as 7:00 pm\, to explore the museum. \n  \nNOTE: A REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or ID card\, or a valid passport\, required for entry to Moffett Field \nRegister here: \nhttps://aiaa-sf.org/registration/ \nShare this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)
URL:https://aiaa-sf.org/event/aiaa-banquet-2025/
LOCATION:Moffett Field Museum\, Building 126\, Severyns Ave\, Mountain View\, CA\, 94035\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://aiaa-sf.org/wp-content/uploads/helicopter.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260423T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260423T193000
DTSTAMP:20260421T012502
CREATED:20260407T094505Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260416T014554Z
UID:3943-1776967200-1776972600@aiaa-sf.org
SUMMARY:Tech Talk: Fighting Wildfires from the Sky
DESCRIPTION:Fighting Wildfires from the Sky: Toward Safer\, Around-the-Clock Aerial Operations\nPresented by Dr. Gilbert Wu\, NASA Ames Research Center \nRegister here:\nhttps://aiaa-sf.org/registration/ \nAircraft have been supporting wildfire response for decades—dropping water and retardant\, tracking fire movement\, and helping protect communities. Yet most aerial firefighting today is still limited to daytime operations using crewed aircraft\, with only limited capability in challenging conditions like heavy smoke or low visibility. This leaves critical hours—especially at night—when fires can continue to grow with reduced aerial support.\nIn this talk\, we explore how new technologies being developed at NASA are helping change that picture. By advancing smarter airspace management and coordination tools\, these innovations aim to enable safe\, continuous (24/7) aerial operations and better integration of both crewed and uncrewed aircraft. The goal is to make firefighting from the sky safer\, more flexible\, and more effective—even in complex and low-visibility environments.\nJoin us for a look at how these emerging capabilities could transform wildfire response in the years ahead\, expanding what’s possible\, improving safety for those on the front lines\, and helping communities better face the growing challenge of wildfires. \nGilbert Wu’s research focuses on the application of AI and machine learning to improve aviation operations\, including aircraft conflict detection and resolution\, arrival flow management\, and trajectory optimization. He is passionate about bringing innovative concepts and algorithms to complex air traffic management challenges.\nBefore joining NASA\, he worked as a professional software developer\, and he continues to advocate for robust tools and effective processes in software development and deployment. He holds one patent and has authored or coauthored more than thirty journal articles\, conference papers\, and technical reports.\nDr. Wu currently leads the Airspace Management Research team within the ACERO team of NASA’s AAMP project. He earned his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from UCLA. \nSchedule \n6:00 Doors open\, networking\n6:15 Food arrives\n6:30 Presentation begins\n7:15 Q&A\n7:30 Event ends\n(All times approximate) \nAdvance registration required! Refreshments (pizza\, sandwiches\, drinks) will be served at the presentation for paid attendees only. Food tickets must be purchased before noon on the event day.\nThere will also be a live stream available for remote attendees. \nhttps://aiaa-sf.org/registration/ \nShare this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)
URL:https://aiaa-sf.org/event/tech-talk-fighting-wildfires/
LOCATION:Hacker Dojo\, 855 Maude Avenue\, Mountain View\, CA\, 94043\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://aiaa-sf.org/wp-content/uploads/wildfires.jpg
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR