What is Aerospace Engineering?

Aerospace engineering is a field of engineering dedicated to the design, development, operation, and maintenance of vehicles that fly in the Earth's atmosphere and beyond.  This discipline of engineering revolves around the development and testing of aircraft and spacecraft. Moreover, this field paves way for outstanding career opportunities in which computers and mathematical principles help in designing air and spacecraft. These engineers apply (and create) advanced technologies to produce air/space vehicles. Their knowledge and studies are reaching new avenues of experience. Hence, this results in the understanding of cosmic structures and superclusters.

What are the Branches of Aerospace Engineering?

Conventionally, aerospace engineering is all about space and atmospheric flights. However, there are two main branches of aerospace engineering.

Astronautical Engineering

This branch revolves around designing and launching spacecraft vehicles. It works with the performance of spacecraft, inside and outside of the Earth's atmosphere. Satellites such as CubeSats and traditional large ones also come under this branch.

Aeronautical Engineering

Aeronautical Engineers basically work with all aspects of the aircraft. From designing to perfecting the aerodynamic shape, even the construction materials usage comes under this wide discipline of science. It also deals with flight technology within the atmosphere of the earth that helps aircraft systems.

There are many jobs available to aeronautic engineers and aeronautical engineers.  Examples include homeland defense, aerospace design for firms conducting launches, and aircraft engineering. Aerospace engineers also design and build drones and other mechanized flyers for a host of concerns.  They also conduct research and design associate systems like navigation and instrumentation.  Lastly, aerospace engineers also can work for government institutions including: intelligence agencies, regulatory agencies, military agencies, civilian corporations, and even privatize space exploration companies.

What skills do they need to have?

While aerospace engineers are well-versed with basic aerodynamic concepts, they need to acquire upgraded knowledge of turboprops, jets, and engines.

Astronautical engineers should have information about how propulsion systems work. They should be well-versed in mathematics and science. It is also essential to know about ceramics and alloys. This knowledge helps aerospace professionals take calculated risks to brainstorm foolproof designs.

Today aerospace engineers must use CAD software for designing and modifying 3D assembly designs. Computer simulations are another vital part of conducting virtual tests of spacecraft and aircraft.

What careers are there in Aerospace Engineering?

• Designer

The increasing demand for private and commercial air travel leads to safe and innovative aircraft machines. These designers engineer groundbreaking designs for all types of aircraft.

• Military Aerospace Engineer

Creating innovative technologies plays a crucial role to decrease collateral damage. For instance, these professionals design laser-guided weapons to help military forces.

• Payload/Mission Specialist

Such specialists serve in space missions as crew members for gathering data and performing different experiments. They also perform other tasks related to the diverse missions.

On the other hand, payload specialists take care of equipment pieces to ensure accurate installation and usage. Generally, such roles are available for a fixed period. Hence, researchers are more likely to acquire these positions.

• Data Processing Manager

This field of engineering is continuously shifting to supercomputer simulations, to conduct research and scheming data. There is a constant need for data processing managers. These professionals collect and process data for deploying innovative solutions. Moreover, these experts bear the sole responsibility for every single system troubleshooting and computer operations.

• Mechanical Engineer

Aerospace engineers readily work to introduce and devise solutions for improvisation of the performance of aircraft and spacecraft. Hence, a mechanical engineer can perform in the aerospace industry by researching and designing better technologies.

• Compliance Officer

These officers guarantee the complete safety of air and ground passengers. These inspectors or compliance officers devise safety regulations according to each mission. Government agencies and aircraft manufacturing companies recruit such professionals.

• Aerospace Technician

Every aerospace team employs professionally trained technicians. These professionals have hands-on training for installing, testing, and maintaining any equipment. Aerospace and airline manufacturing companies employ these technicians.

• Drafter

Before working on great missions, some guidelines and drawings are always required before developing spacecraft and aircraft. Drafters devise these documents to address all components of different machines.

How much do they earn?

Recruitment of aerospace engineers is likely to grow by 8% from 2020 to 2030. Over the past decade, nearly four thousand roles for aerospace engineers are projected each year. Statistics from May 2020, report that the yearly salary for aerospace engineers is almost $118,610, on average.

How Aerospace Engineering Right for you?

Do you find yourself interested in flight and space exploration? Does the combination of math and physics excite you? Do you enjoy tinkering and building, perhaps crafting model airplanes or dreaming of the next Mars rover? These are strong indicators of a natural affinity towards aerospace engineering.

Are you adept at tackling intricate problems and coming up with creative solutions? Do you possess a keen eye for detail? Are you a strong team player with excellent communication skills, both written and verbal? These skills are crucial for success in the collaborative and demanding world of aerospace engineering.

Beyond passion and skills, consider the challenges and rewards involved. This field demands a rigorous educational path, often involving a bachelor's degree, and the career itself can be quite demanding. However, the satisfaction of pushing boundaries, contributing to groundbreaking advancements, and seeing your creations take flight (literally or figuratively) can be immensely rewarding.

How to become an Aerospace Engineer?

Like almost all of the engineers, aerospace engineers need a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering or related field. However, a highschool student who is interested in aerospace engineering should take courses in chemistry, physics, advanced mathematics, computer programming and languages.Students who want to explore roles in aerospace engineering must choose courses in sciences and mathematics. For an example, physics, computers, and advanced math are critically important subjects for any type of engineering,

To practice as an aerospace engineer, a student must acquire a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering. However, you can also attain a degree in another field related to aerospace. An engineer who needs to work on national defense projects must obtain a security clearance.

Here are the top universities and institutions for studying aerospace engineering.

• Imperial College London, the UK
• The University of Oxford, the UK
• The Delft University of Technology, the Netherlands
• EPFL, Switzerland
• ETH Zurich, Switzerland
• University of Cambridge, the UK
• Politecnico di Milano, Italy
• RWTH Aachen University, Germany

Many institutions also provide online aerospace engineering programs.

Once you complete your education, you should look for apprenticeships and entry-level roles to strengthen your qualifications. Some proven ways to earn as an aerospace engineer.

• Apply at the company where you did your internship
• Consider national/regional aerospace government/private companies
• Work for NASA

Securing an engineering position right after college is difficult. Since the aerospace industry is getting saturated by the year, it is hard for fresh engineers to find immediate employment. Finding a related job can help you connect with key people in the industry and build your experience. For example, you can begin your professional journey as an aerospace technician. Once you collect valuable experience, you can easily qualify for a top aerospace engineering position.

Aeronautic Engineering Links and Resources

• American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics: the world’s largest technical society dedicated to the global aerospace profession.
• American Helicopter Society International: the world’s oldest technical society dedicated to enhancing the understanding of vertical flight technology.
• International Astronautical Federation: offers advances knowledge about space and fosters the development of space assets through facilitating global cooperation.
• Aerospace Industries Association: the premier trade association representing the nation’s major aerospace and defense manufacturers.
• American Astronautical Society: the premier independent scientific and technical group in the United States exclusively dedicated to the advancement of space science and exploration.
• Society of Flight Test Engineers: information for flight test engineering professionals in test operations, analysis, instrumentation, and data systems fields.
• IEEE Aerospace & Electronic Systems Society: focuses on the organization, systems engineering, design, development, integration, and operation of complex systems for space, air, ocean, or ground environments.

Interested in other Sections of Engineering?

We have more information on other sections of engineering if you are interested. You can check out our content below and learn more about each section of engineering, their different branches, and how to become a engineer one day!

• Civil Engineering 
• Mechanical Engineering
• Electrical Engineering