Project Overview
This paper traces the history of the AIAA student branch at San Diego State University, founded in Spring 1963, and honors the people who sustained it. Situated in San Diego's rich aerospace ecosystem, the chapter has served as a hub connecting students, faculty, researchers, and industry professionals. Through technical symposia, hands-on projects, competitions, networking, and outreach, it has strengthened regional aerospace leadership and helped cultivate a skilled, forward-thinking workforce. The narrative also documents the challenges faced over the decades and the pivotal events and projects that kept the organization thriving.
The project involved extensive archival research, interviews with past and present members, and analysis of the chapter's impact on students' careers and the local aerospace community. The findings highlight the chapter's role in fostering innovation, collaboration, and professional development among aspiring aerospace engineers at San Diego State University. We will be presenting this work at AIAA SciTech 2026 in January 2026.