Aerospace.

What Is Aerospace Engineering? 

Aerospace engineering is the branch of engineering that works in the design, development, testing and production of airborne objects such as aircraft, missiles, spacecraft, rocket propulsion systems and other related systems. Aerospace engineering can either fall into the categories of aeronautical engineering or astronautical engineering.

History of Aerospace Engineering 

Early aerospace engineering and its concepts can be traced back to the late 19th century. The true birth of the aerospace industry, however, took place in 1903, when Wilbur and Orville Wright demonstrated the first example of an airplane capable of sustained flight. The brothers conducted extensive research and development, which led to a breakthrough in developing an onboard system that would allow pilots to control the warping of the plane’s wings for altitude control. The Wright brothers began licensing their technology to governments and military contractors, and by 1909, they were able to develop the first plane capable of flying faster than 40 miles per hour.

Fast forward through several years of development — bolstered by the emergence of both World War I and World War II, plus the introduction of commercial airliners in the 1930s — and the aerospace industry would continue to take shape well into the 1950s. Along the way, superpowered jets were produced as well as missile defense systems that would further revolutionize combat. During the late 1950s, a new goal of reaching yet another frontier — space — became increasingly realistic.

The Space Age was marked by fierce competition between the Americans and the Soviets, both aspiring to become the first to explore beyond the sky. The Soviets were the first to succeed with the launch of a small satellite, Sputnik, first entering orbit in 1957. Sputnik’s achievement was a result of the evolution of missile systems and used rockets of similar construction to boost small payloads past the atmosphere. The United States completed its first successful launch in 1958 with Project SCORE, successfully placing the first low-orbit communications satellite into orbit.

Several additional satellites were launched and followed by the launch of the first successful human-piloted spacecraft to enter orbit, accomplished by Yury A. Gagarin aboard the Soviet Union’s Vostok 1. Since Gagarin’s orbit, there have been hundreds of successful missions to space completed by both manned and autonomous aircraft. 

Modern successes of the aerospace industry include manned missions to the moon, the exploration of Mars by rovers, an intricate system of navigational satellites launched into space and the permanent installation of an International Space Station in orbit.

Modern aerospace developments and breakthroughs often fall into one of two categories: Aeronautical Engineering and Astronautical Engineering.

Aerospace Engineering Fields

Enabling flight both above and below the atmosphere requires the cooperation and collaboration of engineering experts across multiple fields. Organizations within these fields are responsible for designing systems that are both compatible with existing technology and sustainable enough to remain in use without the need for constant redesigns. These systems are designed through rigorous research and development and built around several key aerospace engineering concepts. By studying these concepts, aerospace engineers can choose the field that they would most like to specialize in and take on a role in some of the most critical jobs.

Aerodynamics

Aerodynamics refer to how air moves and the interaction between the air and any solid masses passing through it. This is the foundation of aerospace engineering and provides a baseline for sustained flight.

Thermodynamics

Thermodynamics is the science of the relationship between heat, temperature, energy and output. This concept is key to mechanical engineering as it defines how heat is transformed into energy and creates mechanical output.

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Celestial Mechanics

Celestial mechanics applies principles of physics to astronomical objects, including stars, planets, asteroids, and other organic material in order to project the motion of objects throughout outer space. Astronautical engineering relies on celestial mechanics to propel engines and avoid contact with objects in orbit.

Flight Mechanics 

There are four forces that play into successful flight: thrust, drag, weight and lift. All of these forces must be balanced and react to changes in any of the other forces to sustain flight. Thrust is the result of propulsion and is controlled by engines, propellers, or rockets; drag slows a flying object down; weight is the effect gravity has on an object; and lift suspends flying objects in the air, often through the use of wings.

Propulsion

Propulsion is the use of a system to drive or push an object forward. Thrust is a result of propulsion, crucial to acceleration and maintaining speed in any craft.

Acoustics

Acoustics principles within aerospace are applied when evaluating and addressing aeroacoustic noise in spacecraft, launch environments, engines, and propulsion systems due to aerodynamic flow. Proper acoustics are crucial to maintaining a safe and manageable environment for those near a flying craft and require careful consideration due to changing pressures that can create catastrophic failure.

Guidance and Control Systems

All aerospace engineering concepts come into play when designing guidance and control systems, allowing pilots and controllers to adjust systems as needed to maintain flight. Guidance and control systems also utilize GPS navigation to ensure safe travel through low visibility environments.

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Aerospace Engineering Skills

Aerospace engineers should possess a deep understanding of several elements crucial to success in any aerospace field. These concepts, plus several others, are imperative to building successful systems and playing a role in the future of aerospace capabilities:

• Mathematics
• Physics
• Fluid mechanics
• Astrodynamics
• Electrotechnology
• Materials science
• Avionics
• Flight testing

Aerospace Industry Roles and Careers

Research and Development 

Aerospace research engineers evaluate designs to ensure products meet engineering principles. These teams assess proposals and determine whether or not they will be technically and financially feasible while prioritizing safety and setting quality standards by which to build. Research and development teams also inspect damaged or malfunctioning products to identify the sources of problems and develop solutions.

Aircraft, Satellite and Defense Aerospace Design 

Design teams are responsible for developing and concepting new technologies for use in aviation, defense systems and spacecraft. These teams may specialize in a single field or be responsible for ideating the overarching systems that connect each field together.

Aerospace Part Manufacturing

Part manufacturers are responsible for the construction of aircraft, aircraft parts, missiles, rockets and spacecraft. These may exist either in-house or as a third-party, but regardless, they will work closely with aerospace engineers to ensure sensitive materials are properly handled and products have the capability to withstand even the most rigorous conditions.

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Aerospace Engineer Salary 

Aerospace engineers most often possess a bachelor’s degree in an engineering or science field related to aerospace. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2021 median pay for an aerospace engineer is $116,500 per year. Aerospace employment is expected to grow by 6 percent through 2031.