Introduction to Aerospace Engineering

Aerospace Engineering

What is Aerospace Engineering?

• It is a branch of Engineering that involves the design, manufacturing and science of aircraft and spacecraft. It deals with designing and building machines that fly.

• Aerospace Engineers specialize in areas that include: 

              - Structural Design: Focus on the overall layout.

              - Navigation and Control: Focus on everything that makes the aircraft maneuverable.  

              - Guidance: Focus on electronic guidance system for aircraft.

              - Instrumentation: Focus on designing instruments that will help keep an aircraft on                                                           course if it's electronic systems fail.

Branches of Aerospace Engineering:- 

There are two main branches of Aerospace Engineering:

1. Aeronautical Engineering - Engineers primary involved in designing aircraft that fly within Earth's Atmosphere. Craft such as missiles, airplanes, gliders, jets and helicopters.
2. Astronautical Engineering - Involves spacecraft that fly outside Earth's Atmosphere. Craft such as satellites, spaceships, and some rockets.

Duties of Aerospace Engineer:

• Direct and coordinate the design, manufacture, and testing of aircraft and aerospace products.
• Assess proposals for projects to determine if they are technically and financially
• feasible.Determine if proposed projects will result in safe aircraft and parts.
• Evaluate designs to see that the products meet engineering principles, customer requirements, and environmental challenges.
• Develop acceptance criteria for design methods, quality standards, sustainment after delivery, and completion dates.
• Ensure that projects meet quality standards.
• Inspect malfunctioning or damaged products to identify sources of problems and possible solutions.

Important Qualities for Aerospace Engineers:

• Analytical Skills
• Business Skills
• Critical-thinking Skills
• Math Skills
• Problem-solving Skills
• Writing Skills

Career within Aerospace Engineering:

• Job opportunities for these engineers are available in Airlines, Air Force, Corporate Research Companies, Defense Ministry, Helicopter Companies, Aviation Companies, NASA and many others.
• The world will continue to need aerospace scientists, engineers, technologists and technicians to be ready for the 21st century.
• Increasing popularity of air travel and space exploration require expertise to design and maintain improvements.
• Top recruiters in this space are Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Defense Research and Development Laboratories (DRDO), Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Civil Aviation Department, Air India, India Space Research Organization (ISRO) and others.

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