Sara Venhuizen, Aerostar International, LLC
Director of Engineering Programs in the Stratospheric Division
Sara Venhuizen is the Director of Engineering Programs in the Stratospheric Division at Aerostar International, LLC. Sara works to solve problems for customers interested in high-altitude balloon flight in the stratosphere – including NASA, US DoD, commercial companies, international companies, or MNOs. Whether it involves scientific experiments, long-duration ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance), communications links, or earth observation, high-altitude platforms can fill a critical capability gap. Sara has traveled throughout the US and internationally launching and operating high-altitude balloons. In addition to working at Aerostar, Sara is the chair of the board for the Dakota State University Applied Research Corporation, a research entity advancing cutting-edge solutions in cybersecurity, technology, and digital innovation. Sara is a former chair of the local IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) section and enjoys helping with engineering camps for high school and middle school students. She lives in Sioux Falls, SD, with her husband Tony and three children – Henry, Elizabeth, and Madeleine.