Aerospace Engineering is a branch of engineering that gives skills and knowledge to style, manufacture and maintain spacecraft, aircraft, missiles and weapons systems. It largely consists of engineering covering a good range of topics, including computer application, structures, mathematics, physics, drafting, electricity, robotics, aeronautics etc. It also covers two parts of engineering, namely Aeronautical Engineering and Astronomical Engineering. It is all about designing & developing, manufacturing, testing, inspecting, maintaining, repairing & marketing aircraft, missiles, spacecraft &their components & systems for commercial aviation, defence & space explorations market. Other areas of work for an aerospace engineer are data processing, communication, environmental control systems and mass transportation.
What is Aerospace Engineering?
Aerospace Engineering is taken into account among the toughest branches of engineering that has carved its niche among the scholars. However, once a student completes this course, it will give ‘wings’ to one’s career taking it to new heights. Here’s a summary of Aerospace Engineering for aspirants who wish to form a career during this field.
Aerospace Engineering: Required Skill Set
Aerospace Engineering is a highly specialised technical field that needs complete distinction in mathematical, calculative and observational skills. Research during this field takes years to be completed thus, resilience and persistence are important. Here are a couple of essential qualities/skills you’d require to be a successful Aerospace Engineer:
Required Skill Set for Aerospace Engineering:
- Excellent academic background in Science stream
- Strong analytical and mathematical skills
- Creativity and innovativeness in product designing
- Eye for detail
- Ability to work for long hours under stress
- Scientific acumen
- Physical stamina
- Ability to work in a team and to be ready to lead a team
Aerospace Engineering Eligibility Criteria
An aspirant must meet the minimum eligibility criteria to be ready to pursue the course. The minimum eligibility criteria for Aerospace Engineering:
For pursuing this, the minimum eligibility criteria are passing higher secondary or Class 12 with a minimum of sixty per cent marks (55 per cent marks for SC/ST) in Science stream (Physics, Chemistry and Maths). For this, the candidate is required to possess 60 per cent marks (55 per cent marks for SC/ST) in baccalaureate (BE/B Tech or equivalent). GATE score is required to acquire admission to post-graduate and Doctoral programmes and research. Students with a 4-year degree in Engineering, technical diploma, five-year Architecture, Postgraduates in Mathematics/Science/Statistics/Computer Applications also are eligible to pursue Aerospace Engineering
If one aspires to join National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the US (United States Of America), they need to be told that NASA recommends a degree during a sort of disciplines, including Biomedical Engineering, Ceramic Engineering, Chemistry, industrial management, Materials Engineering, Metallurgy, Optical Engineering, and Oceanography. PhD is very recommended for those that want to join NASA.
Aerospace Engineering Syllabus
The Aerospace Engineering programme is a BTech programme which is cover four academic years. Any course comprises the subsequent subjects/topics:
- Aerodynamics
- Flight Mechanics
- Aerospace Propulsion
- Incompressible hydraulics
- Aerospace Structural Mechanics
- Introduction to Aerospace Engineering
- Aircraft Design
- Spaceflight Mechanics
- Aircraft Propulsion
- Thermodynamics and Propulsion
Aerospace Engineering Job Profiles
Aerospace Engineers deal with the designing and manufacturing of spacecraft, aircraft, missiles and weapons systems. Besides, they’re also liable for assembling, maintaining and ensuring they function properly in the least times. While others specialize in other important equipment like air guidance systems, guidance control systems, propulsions, etc.
Duties of an engineer include:
Developing new technologies to be used in spacecraft, aviation and defence systems
Designing, assembling and testing of aircraft and aerospace products
Examine damage or malfunction during a piece of kit to seek out our possible reason and offer the answer
Assessing the value and feasibility of latest projects proposed to be undertaken
Determining quality standard acceptance criteria for design methods, quality standards, sustainment after delivery, and completion dates
Evaluating that the project or the merchandise meets engineering principles, safety norms, customer requirements and environmental challenges
Manufacturing aircraft and individual components in coordination with the planning team.
Aerospace Engineers combat specialised areas of functioning like software engineering, structural engineering, engineering, electrical and electronic engineering, for automation and guidance, aerodynamics or propulsion systems.
They specialize in two types of Engineering they are Aeronautical Engineering and Astronomical Engineering.
Aeronautical Engineer: An engineer works on aircraft and its components.
Astronomical Engineer: An Astronomical Engineer works precisely on spacecraft and related technologies.
Aerospace Engineering Top Recruiters
Aerospace Engineering is a flourishing field, adopting new technology for further development in production and functioning of aircraft and spacecraft. Earlier space was dominated by government organisations, but with the entry of the many private players, opportunities during this industry are growing more and more. Listed below are a couple of organisations that hire in various capacities.
Indian Space Research Organisations (ISRO)
Hindustan Aeronautical Limited (HAL)
National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL)
Defence Research And Development Organisation (DRDO)