Aerospace engineers focus on designing, developing, testing, and producing aircraft, spacecraft, and related systems and equipment. The field has traditionally focused on problems related to atmospheric and space flight, with two major and overlapping branches: aeronautical engineering and astronautical engineering.
Aeronautical engineering focuses on the theory, technology, and practice of flight within the earth’s atmosphere.
Astronautical engineering focuses on the science and technology of spacecraft and launch vehicles.
What does an aerospace engineer do?
Aerospace engineers develop leading-edge technologies and integrate them into aerospace vehicle systems used for transportation, communications, exploration, and defense applications. This involves the design and manufacturing of aircraft, spacecraft, propulsion systems, satellites, and missiles, as well as the design and testing of aircraft and aerospace products, components, and subassemblies.
Successful aerospace engineers possess in-depth skills in, and an understanding of, aerodynamics, materials and structures, propulsion, vehicle dynamics and control, and software.