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Guest Speaker: Dr. Michael Buonanno of Lockheed Martin Skunk Works

When: Thursday, January 22, 2026

Light Refreshments: 6-7pm PT

Presentation: 7-8:30pm PT

Where: CSUN, Jacaranda Hall, Room 4440

Virtual Option: Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 884 8365 2171

Passcode: AIAA26

Cost: Free (parking fees are separate)

Learn about the X-59 Quiet Supersonic Technology (QueSST) X-Plane with Dr. Michael Buonanno. This talk will provide a brief overview of the history of low boom shaping technology. It will cover how modern Computational Fluid Dynamics, computing capabilities, and traditional wind tunnel testing allow us to shape supersonic aircraft to reduce the loudness of sonic booms by more than 30 dB compared to legacy supersonic platforms. The talk will include an overview of the X-59 aircraft design along with a development status and a discussion of how NASA plans to support future efforts to revise current FAA restrictions that prohibit supersonic flight overland.

Guest Speaker: Sara Lanberg

When: Friday, October 3, 2025

Dinner: 5-6pm PT

Presentation: 6-7pm PT

Where: CSUN, Jacaranda Hall, Room 1553

Virtual Option: Zoom

Cost (for dinner):

Students: Free

Professional Members: Not to exceed $20

Come learn more about Ingenuity with Sara Lanberg, an aeromechanical engineer at member of the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter team at AeroVironment. Her work on the project includes analyses of blade loading, control linkage geometry and servo loading, landing gear deployment and stowage geometry, design of the composite parts in the landing gear system, and operations. Sara was also the manufacturing lead for the Mars Sample Return Helicopter (SRH) Program in 2023. 

In-Person Attendees must register online here.

When: Friday, August 8, 2025, 9:30-11:00am

Where: Donald C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant in Van Nuys

Who: Open to adults and minors over 10 years

What: Join us for a tour of the Donald C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant. Learn the history of the plant
and how it operates.

Cost: Free

April 3, 2025 at 6:00pm PT

Guest Speaker: Peter Law

Peter Law, retired Lockheed Skunk Works Thermodynamics Department Manager, will discuss several aspects of the various internal systems within the F-117A vehicle that provide cooling and ventilation to the aircraft’s many functional components.The presentation will include the explanation of the schematics and the
functions of these internal systems, that control all of the various internal equipment environments.

Meeting ID: 881 5817 6984

Passcode: 169746

Dial In: 877-853-5257

The San Fernando Pacific Section, which represents the San Fernando Valley, Ventura County, and Hawaii, sponsors an annual essay scholarship contest for graduating high school seniors who plan on a career in a STEM field. 

For 2025 up to $1000 will be awarded in prizes. The total number and value of the awards will be determined based on the number of entries. To enter, students must submit a 500-to-600-word essay on the topic:

Asteroid mining is an approach to obtain raw materials which may be difficult to obtain on Earth. What would be some challenges in obtaining these minerals from asteroids? Explain your solution(s) to these challenges. 

All entries must be received by Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 11:59 pm PDT by email or Google form.

Additional information can be found at the link.