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!
CSU AIAA Participates in 2023 Design Build Fly Competition
Six students representing the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics CSU student chapter traveled to Tucson, Arizona to participate in the 2023 Design Build Fly competition. The chapter placed the highest out of all Colorado universities in attendance.
Meetings
CSU AIAA Chapter Meetings:
Meeting Dates: Every Tuesday
Time: 5 – 6 PM
Place: Titan Classroom or Engineering Research Center
Design Build Fly Meetings:
Meeting Dates: Every Tuesday and Thursday
Time: 2 – 5 PM
Place: Magellan 6 or Engineering Research Center
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
Upcoming Event: April 28th, 2023 | 4 – 5:30 pm | Engineering 100
Presenters: Nathan Henry and Melissa Bergin
Topic: Ursa Major
Melissa Bergin is a senior propulsion engineer at Ursa Major. She led the engine development for Ripley, a 50,000 lbf ox-rich staged combustion engine, from conceptual design through hotfire. In her four years at Ursa, she has held many roles including system modeling, engine test, and customer integration. Prior to Ursa, she worked at Boeing for three years in Huntsville, Alabama on Space Launch System (SLS) focusing on structural testing and propulsion design for the upper stage reaction control system. Melissa earned her bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from Georgia Tech in 2015.
CONTACT INFORMATION
JOIN!
CURRENT OFFICERS
AIAA Faculty Advisor – Ben Grier
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.