aerospace engineering graphic

UTSA students participate in aerospace conference

By Christi Fish
Public Affairs Specialist

(April 16, 2009)--The UTSA College of Engineering and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Southwest Texas Section will co-host the AIAA 2009 Region IV Student Paper Conference April 16-18. At the event, students will discuss research, exchange knowledge and learn about aerospace engineering careers.

The aerospace-themed conference at the Radisson Hotel Downtown San Antonio Market Square will feature technical sessions and a professional leadership discussion panel for participants in addition to information and tours of Alamo City aerospace businesses.

Three student paper competitions will be conducted at this year's conference: an undergraduate competition, a competition for master's students and a team division. The first place prize for each competition category is $500 and a trip to the Aerospace Sciences Meeting in January 2010 for one author.

Conference highlights include an April 18 talk by James D. Walker, scientist at the Southwest Research Institute and an AIAA Distinguished Lecturer, who will discuss "Impact Threats in the Space Program." The talk will outline work performed in San Antonio that supports the space shuttle program, the New Horizons flight to Pluto and the planned return to the moon in 2020.

Addtionally, UTSA mechanical engineering students will offer these presentations:

AIAA is a professional society for aerospace engineers with more than 30,000 professional and 5,000 student members worldwide including an active chapter in San Antonio. To learn more about the 2009 Region IV conference, contact Thomas Moore or Harry Millwater at (210) 458-4481.