Welcome! We’re excited to host the 2025 Thermal & Fluids Analysis Workshop in the heart of Silicon Valley. Below you’ll find detailed information about meals, social events, and exclusive NASA tours planned for the week.
️️Lunch Options (Monday–Thursday, August 4–7)
An optional catered lunch buffet will be provided daily at 12:00 PM in the SJSU Student Union Ballroom, conveniently located at the venue hosting our keynotes and other events. The cost is $26 per day + small PayPal transaction fee, reflecting the government per diem rate for San Jose. Gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian choices will be available. Pre-purchase is required through the website events.tfaws.app, Please, pre-purchase your meals prior to July 7th.
- Monday – Italian Buffet: Caesar Salad, Garlic Bread, Penne Pasta with Marinara, Chicken Piccata, Portobello Ragout, and Tiramisu
- Tuesday – Asian Buffet: Sunomono Salad, Steamed White or Brown Rice, Chicken Teriyaki, Mapo Tofu, Edamame, and Vegetable Potstickers with Ponzu Sauce
- Wednesday – Ballpark Buffet: Potato Salad, BBQ Baked Beans, Mac and Cheese, Hamburgers, Vegetarian Burgers, Cookies and Brownies
- Thursday – Build Your Own Sandwich: Perfect for attendees joining the NASA Ames tours
For those who prefer alternative options, the San Jose Student Union food court (Starbucks, Subway, Paseo Market) will be open throughout the week. Additionally, there’s a student dining hall about a 10-minute walk away offering meals around $18 per person.
Monday, August 4 – Welcome Mixer 5:00PM – 7:00PM
Join us from 5:00–7:00 PM in the San Jose Student Union Courtyard (weather permitting). This casual event is a great opportunity to reconnect with colleagues and meet new participants. A cash bar will be available.
Tuesday, August 5 – Networking Event at Guildhouse 6:00PM – 9:00PM
We will be hosting a social/networking event at the Guildhouse, located at 420 First St, in downtown San Jose. Complimentary pizza will be provided. Drinks can be purchased from the venue’s cash bar.
Wednesday, August 6 – Banquet Dinner 6:00PM – 9:00PM
The banquet dinner is scheduled from 6:00–9:00 PM in the San Jose Student Union Ballroom. The evening will start with a charcuterie table during the welcome and cocktail hour, followed by three curated buffet stations:
- East Meets West: Blackened Salmon, Za’atar Roasted Chicken Thigh, Penne Pasta with Broccoli and Lemon Garlic, Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Eggplant and Halloumi, Chickpea and Tomato Salad (VG)
- Homestead Harvest: Herb-Roasted Chicken, Beyond BBQ Meatloaf (VG), Whipped Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Green Beans (VG), Vegan Mushroom Gravy
- Taco Bar: Chicken Tinga, Carne Asada, Vegan Chorizo, Assorted Tortillas, Cilantro, Onions, Chips, Salsa, Guacamole
Dessert will follow the main courses. Each ticket costs $70 + small PayPal transaction fee and includes one drink ticket for beer or wine, with a cash bar available for additional beverages. Dietary restrictions can be accommodated—please indicate them when registering. The event will feature brief remarks from organizers and the presentation of awards for the student poster session. Pre-purchase is required through the website events.tfaws.app, Please, pre-purchase your Banquet Dinner ticket prior to July 7th.
Thursday, August 7 – Social Event at The Old Wagon Saloon & Grill 7:00PM – 10:00PM
Be ready for line dancing. Burgers, ribs, Texas BBQ & beer served in a roomy tavern with Wild West decor & an outdoor patio with a dancing floor. Website: https://theoldwagonsaloon.com/ Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/zvFTbgU7eS4MTkPX6
NASA Ames Tours (Thursday–Friday, August 7–8)
Explore some of NASA’s premier research facilities during our exclusive tours at Ames Research Center. Transportation will be provided from the SJSU Student Union on Thursday (12:30–6:00 PM) and from the Marriott Hotel on Friday (8:30 AM–2:00 PM). Spots are limited, and registration is required. If you are successful in securing a spot, you will be contacted via email in the coming weeks to confirm your participation and begin the process of obtaining a NASA Ames visitor pass if needed. Failure to reply to the NASA tour confirmation email may result in the loss of your spot, which will be offered to the next person on the waitlist, based on the order of registration. The final tour schedule is being finalized but will includes:
- Arc Jet Facility: Recreate the intense aerodynamic heating experienced during atmospheric reentry, enabling validation of thermal protection system (TPS) designs for missions to Earth, Mars, and beyond.
- Unitary Wind Tunnel: Aerodynamic testing of spacecraft, aircraft, and launch vehicles at transonic and supersonic speeds.
- Vertical Motion Simulator (VMS): Provides full-scale piloted simulations for spacecraft, rotorcraft, and advanced flight systems in a reconfigurable cockpit environment.
- NFAC 40×80 Wind Tunnel: The world’s largest wind tunnel by test section size, used for full-scale aerodynamic testing of aircraft, spacecraft, rotorcraft, parachutes, and ground vehicles.
- EAST Shock Tube Facility: Simulates hypersonic shock waves to study high-enthalpy gas dynamics, thermal loads, and chemical reactions relevant to atmospheric entry.
- Supercomputing Facility: Home to NASA’s high-performance computing systems, supporting mission-critical modeling and simulation needs across NASA centers.
Note that due to facility limitations, not all tours will be offered to every tour group. Arc Jet tours are offered both Thursday and Friday; NFAC tours are offered on Thursday only.
We look forward to hosting you for a productive and engaging workshop week!