September/October Horizons Newsletter

The September/October 2012 issue of Horizons is now available. This free 52-page newsletter is available in both high and low resolutions, about 48 MB and 14 MB, respectively. This issue includes: cover story: The 100 Year Starship September 2012 Public Symposium in Houston. Man Will Conquer Space Soon! We are reprinting this Collier’s space series from 1952 to 1954, and this issue has the articles from October 18, 1952, the 2nd of 8 installments. Paradises Lost, the opera from the Le Guin generation starship novella. Lunar Surface EVA Route Selection Optimization by Yvonne Vigue-Rodi. Comet ISON (C/2012 S1) 2013 – 2014 by Daniel R. Adamo, Astrodynamics Consultant. From our French sister section 3AF MP, Third Annual Aerospace Festival of Art and Literature, Stars and Wings. The Fog of War Obscures a Great Aerial Dogfight (Speculation) by James C. McLane III. Convair “Super-NEXUS”, APR Corner, Aerospace Projects Review, by Scott Lowther. Current Events, Capsule-Helicopter Hybrid Spacecraft by Jeff Hagen.

11/15 Lunch Presentation: Charting the Course for Sustainable Human Space Exploration

The AIAA Houston Program Management and Integration Committee presents:

Charting the Course for Sustainable Human Space Exploration

Dr. Kumar Krishen, Fellow, SDPS, Fellow, IETE
NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas
Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012
Building 30A Auditorium, NASA JSC
Noon to 1:00 PM

Dr. Kumar Krishen is the ST/Senior Scientist / Lead Technologist for the Technology Transfer & Commercialization Office, NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC), Houston, Texas, responsible for developing strategies for joint research and technology projects and plans with industries, universities, other NASA centers, and government agencies. Dr. Krishen has served at Virginia Tech as University Fellow for Technology Transfer, Office of Special Initiatives, and Visiting Professor on a special NASA assignment. He also served as Adjunct Professor at Rice University. Currently, he holds the appointment of Honorary Professor for Delhi Technological University.

The future of human presence in space beyond Earth orbit has been the focus of NASA strategic planning efforts for more than four decades. In the recent past, a report titled “Voyages, Charting the Course for Sustainable Human Space Exploration” was issued by NASA, which identifies a capability-driven approach. This presentation will critically examine the implications of the destinations on technology development and capability enhancement to show what developments should receive priority in the future to enable safe and affordable human space missions. It will identify a set of questions that can lead to a successful prioritization of the technology development. In this context each destination and technology identified in this report will be discussed and rationale for the technology prioritization provided.

This event is open to all badged JSC team members Professional Engineers earn one hour of credit toward Continuing Education requirements by attending this event.

For additional information contact Dr. Satya Pilla, Program Management and Integration Chair at, 281-226-5645 or pmi2012@aiaahouston.org.

No food or drink is allowed in the B30 Auditorium.

See the event flyer.

AIAA Houston Section at Wings Over Houston

The AIAA Houston Section, in conjunction with the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Houston Chapter, will be attending this year’s Wings Over Houston airshow!

The airshow will be held at Ellington Field on Saturday, October 27, 2012.  Stop by the AIAA and EAA booths for EAA static aircraft displays and technology demos, as well as a great view of the airshow.  No RSVP is required to stop by the booths, but airshow tickets must be purchased through http://wingsoverhouston.com/woh_tickets_mn.htm#generaladmission.

More information can be found at the official site, or by contacting the AIAA Houston Section (281-682-3653) or EAA Houston Chapter (281-467-2432).  The EAA Houston Chapter’s website can be found at www.eaa12.org.

See the event flyer (PDF).

Abstracts Due This Friday, 10/5 for the Workshop on Automation & Robotics 2012 (WAR2012)

Workshop on Automation and Robotics
FRIDAY October 12th, 2012
GILRUTH CENTER, NASA/JSC
Fee: $14 Conference Only, $20 Conference and lunch
Please consider submitting a 400 words-or-less abstract on the following topics:
  • Automation, Robotics, Fuzzy Logic, Neuro-Network
  • Engineering in Biology and Medicine
  • Aerospace and Aeronautics systems and programs
  • Energy Systems and Smart Grid
  • Vehicular Technology and Wireless Systems
  • Computer Networks
  • Communication Systems and Techniques
  • Games and Innovative Technologies
  • Simulation, Testing and System Evaluations

For more information, see the flier.

AIAA Houston Social to Culminate Space Week

Come celebrate the end of Space Week on Wednesday, October 10 at Cullen’s Grill with your local AIAA members and other Aerospace Professionals.

We’ll be there at 6pm for Happy Hour and Steak Night. Look for us in the Cullen’s Live area.

Starting at 8pm Cullen’s is hosting a trivia contest run by ‘Geeks Who Drink’, we’ll divide up into teams and compete for prizes and bragging rights.

Address:
1500 Space Center Blvd. Houston, Texas 77059

For more information, please see the event page.