It is with great sadness that we announce that Robert J. “Bob” Chambers, 64, longtime member of AIAA and devoted council member, passed away on April 26, 2013 from complications of a stroke caused by reaction to a prescription medication.

Our guest speaker was Kurt Erbacher, vice president of the G650 Program at Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. He gave an informative and entertaining overview of the Gulfstream operation, product line, and in particular the flagship G650.
The main Gulfstream plant in Savannah now employs more people than Lockheed in Marietta. A full order book suggests that this will continue to be the case. The G650 production facility was purpose-built for this aircraft, assembling parts from many domestic and overseas suppliers. Much of the assembly work is automated.

On April 3, 2013, AIAA hosted a Combustion Lab Tour. The combustion lab, named after Prof. Ben T. Zinn, is part of the Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Dr. Jeff Jagoda first gave a brief overview of the lab, including details on the construction of the lab and the research conducted here. Then, while Dr. Jagoda guided AIAA young professionals and students inside and outside the lab building, he was introducing the function of the facilities and their capabilities for different experiments.

Georgia Space Industry - A Call to Action

AIAA Atlanta would like to pass on the following message from Bob Scaringe, Chairman of the GA Space Working Group, in reference to the following AJC article: http://www.ajc.com/news/business/georgia-bids-to-land-spacex-base/nW53t/.

Photo of Guest Speaker at March Joint Dinner Meeting With ASM

On March 19, 2013, AIAA held a joint dinner meeting with ASM at the Georgia Tech Institute of Paper Science and Technology, 500 10th St NW, Atlanta, GA 30332 (10th and Hemphill); Seminar Room #114. The guest speaker was Gail Tverberg, a writer and speaker on issues related to "energy and our future," including the connection between oil shortages and the economy. She has accepted an appointment as Director of Energy Economics at the Space Solar Power Institute. Her presentation was about "Space Solar Power – Rebuilding our Energy, Economy and Environment".

International Space Apps Challenge at Kennedy Space Center April 20-21

AIAA Atlanta would like to promote the following event. Here is a message from David J. Miranda, International Space Apps Challenge Team, Kennedy Space Center:

Video of STEM Panel Discussion Available

The January dinner meeting featured a great STEM panel discussion. If you could not make it, a video of the discussion has been posted to YouTube: http://youtu.be/FN2BhNDGZUs

Photo from February Dinner Meeting with AIAA President Dr. Mike Griffin

On February 26, 2013, AIAA President Dr. Mike Griffin honored the Atlanta Section of AIAA by presenting his study on "Opportunities and Roadblocks for the Development of Commercial Space Enterprises." February marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of AIAA, so we presented a Grand Anniversary Cannoli to Mike to honor the occasion. Is Mike lecturing a group of Student Members from Georgia Tech on the importance of skipping Spring Break in order to work on their thesis? Local, regional & national AIAA officers pose in a group photo congratulating Dr.

Make Election Nominations by March 1st

The AIAA Atlanta Section Nominating Committe (NC) has been formed and is taking Council position election nominations for the 2013-2014 year. If you would like to nominate yourself or another member, please let any of the NC members know by March 1st. Becoming a Section Officer or Council Member is a rewarding opportunity, giving you the chance to improve the AIAA, meet influential people in the aerospace industry, and enhance your career skills. For more details on what is involved with being a Section leader, contact the NC members. The NC members are:

Judges Needed for the Georgia Science and Engineering Fair

The AIAA Atlanta Section annually judges and provides cash awards to outstanding students at the Georgia Science and Engineering Fair. The Section is in need of volunteers to act as judges on the Section's behalf. The event will be Friday, March 22, 2013, at 4:00 PM at the UGA Conference Center in Athens, GA. If you are interested, please contact Ben Walker (ben.walker[at]aiaa-atlanta.org) and Cameron Miller (cameron.miller[at]aiaa-atlanta.org).

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