Greetings, AIAA members. We have some announcements from the AIAA San Francisco Section.
- Tech Talk: Psyche: Adapting a Comm Spacecraft to Explore a Metal-Rich Asteroid - May 2
- AIAA-SF Young Professionals Happy Hour - May 8
- SSTC Student Essay Contest - deadline Apr 30
- More Section Info
This update is based on the AIAA San Francisco Section eUpdate sent out on April 18. Note that the eUpdate incorrectly lists the YP Happy Hour date as April 19; the correct date is May 8.
Tech Talk: Psyche: Adapting a Comm Spacecraft to Explore a Metal-Rich Asteroid
Hacker Dojo, 855 Maude Avenue, Mountain View. May 2, 6:30pm
The 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!).
The 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 and is on its way to a Mars gravity assist. At 5 months into the mission, the spacecraft is healthy. It is expected to reach 16-Psyche in August 2029.
More info and registration:
https://aiaa-sf.org/event/tech-talk-psyche/
Attendance is free and advance registration required! Tickets will not be sold at the event.
Refreshments (pizza, sandwiches, drinks) are optional and will be served at the presentation for paid attendees only.
AIAA-SF Young Professionals Happy Hour
Ludwig's Biergarten, 383 Castro St, Mountain View. May 8, 6 - 7pm
Come and join your colleagues, seniors in the aerospace profession in a relaxed atmosphere. Network over a pitcher of beer and Schnitzel. AIAA-SF will provide the first round of drinks and appetizers. Let's exchange ideas and what everybody is doing and what is happening in Aerospace. Please RSVP so that we can get suitable space.
https://aiaa-sf.org/registration/
SSTC Student Essay Contest
The AIAA Space Systems Technical Committee is hosting an essay contest open to all 7th and 8th graders. The theme is: "Explore 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."
The deadline to submit is April 30. For more info on the requirements, judging, and prizes, check out the event page:
https://aiaa-sf.org/event/2024-sstc-essay-contest
More Section Info
Other section news may be found in the following on-line locations:
Section website: https://www.aiaa-sf.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/108085362573400
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aiaa-sf
Information on membership and AIAA conferences can be found at: https://www.aiaa.org
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Rick Kwan
Integration Lead, Xplicit Computing
Member, AIAA Computer Systems TC
Silicon Valley, California
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