American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) at CSU
What is
AIAA?
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is the world’s largest technical society dedicated to the global aerospace profession, with over 30,000 members worldwide. AIAA commits itself to shaping the future of aerospace, providing resources and experiences to assist in personal and professional development. Involvement with AIAA provides growth opportunities, education, and access to a global network of fellow engineers and others in the industry.
AIAA at CSU
AIAA at CSU is an organization that is dedicated to introducing students to aerospace industry connections, as well as providing opportunities for students to gain experience in the fields of aeronautics and astronautics. Our organization is a registered student branch of AIAA dedicated to providing real world, hands-on experience to our student members through a collection of lectures, seminars, and competitions centered on the aerospace industry. AIAA welcomes students from all degrees at CSU – anyone with a passion for aerospace or aeronautics is encouraged to join! Being involved in AIAA is a great networking tool and a whole lot of fun!
Within the organization, you can choose between two paths of interest: aeronautics and astronautics.
Aeronautics is the study of the science of flight, and the method of designing an airplane or other flying machine.
EVENTS
AIAA Design, Build, Fly (DBF) Competition
The AIAA Design, Build, Fly (DBF) annual competition is a partnership between the AIAA Foundation, Cessna Aircraft Company, and Raytheon Missile Systems. This competition provides students an opportunity to design and build a radio-controlled aircraft to perform specific missions, and is available for teams across the world to compete in. Students who participate gain valuable team building skills while getting real world experience in aircraft design.
If you are interested in joining, please email Peter Sperl.
Astronautics is the science of the construction and operation of vehicles for travel in space beyond the earth’s atmosphere.
EVENTS
National Association of Rocketry (NAR) Competition
Join Ram Rocketry, CSU’s NAR club, in this model rocket competition. Born in 1959, the competition has evolved into a proven method for challenging students to improve craftsmanship and flying skills, and to pursue a “personal best” in performance with each flight. NAR is the only rocket organization in the US that has a structured program of rocketry competition, that recognizes national champions each year, and that sponsors a US team in world championships competition.
CSU ROCKET TEAM – RAM ROCKETRY
The CSU Rocket Team formed in 2014 as a senior design team. Since then, the group has grown from four to fourteen students, and innovations to the Aries rocket have record-breaking wins in intercollegiate competitions. If you are interested in joining, please contact Johhny Buck.
Follow CSU Ram Rocketry on Instagram!
Meetings
CSU Chapter
Next Meeting Date: TBD
Time: 7pm
Place: Engineering B101
Additional details to come!
AIAA’s Rocky Mountain Section serves the professional aerospace community, and strongly encourages collegiate chapters to attend their programs and network with those already in the field.
Follow this link for more information on upcoming events, resources, and opportunities to connect.
Events
Aerospace Technology Innovation Talks
Get a front row seat and hear from the industry’s best in topic areas such as space vehicles, advanced aircraft, and hypersonic flight! Each month includes a new presenter from leading aerospace companies including United Launch Alliance, NASA, and Lockheed Martin Space.
Free entrance. Free food. Free swag. Free fun. Join us!
Dates: Monthly, September 2021 – May 2022
Location: On campus; room details specific to each event
– – – – –
January Event: Friday, January 28 | 4-5:30pm | Engineering 100
Presenter: John Karas, Lockheed Martin VP & General Manager of Human Space Flight and Strategic & Missile Defense (retired)
Topic: The Aerospace Industry: Challenges of the Past, Insights for the Future
Mr. Karas has over four decades of senior leadership across technical and business activities spanning large multi-billion dollar civil and national security space systems.
He held positions at the division level in strategic planning, business development and advanced programs. In his last BD assignment, he was responsible for capturing $8B of orders per year across Air Force, civil, commercial and classified space markets. Also, at the division level, Karas served twice as a Line of Business VP and General Manager. He was responsible for as much as $3B in sales per year and several thousand employees. He also held positions as a Program Manager of multi-billion dollar developmental and operational projects. Prior to retiring from Lockheed Martin in October of 2017, Karas also worked for General Dynamics and Martin Marietta.
Post retirement, Karas has continued to consult for several entities and remains current in commercial and USG lift, human spaceflight, strategic missiles, national security space and propulsion systems.
CONTACT INFORMATION
JOIN!
CURRENT OFFICERS
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Graduation Year: 2023
Favorite things about AIAA: “The opportunity to learn and hone technical and interpersonal skills.”
Major: Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in Aerospace Engineering
Graduation Year: 2022
Favorite things about AIAA: “Design Build Fly has to be my favorite. It’s an incredibly fun competition which teaches many lessons about the engineering process. I also just enjoy meeting new people at our events.”
AIAA Faculty Advisors – Karen Thorsett-Hill and Xinfeng Gao.
If you’re not sure who to contact or have general questions, you can send an email to the general AIAA account: aiaa.colostate@gmail.com
SPONSORS
Our sponsors are an important part of our organization, and their gifts help support our events. If you are a company interested in sponsoring AIAA at CSU, please email aiaa.coloradostate@gmail.com.