What is aerospace engineering?

Aerospace engineering is a branch of engineering that zeroes in on designing, developing, and testing aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles. Engineers in this field rely on aerodynamics, propulsion systems, structural design, avionics, and other scientific principles to develop cutting-edge technology. Crafting these advanced systems is often a highly intricate process that can span several years. Aerospace engineers must thoroughly grasp client requirements, evaluate project proposals for feasibility and safety, draft detailed design plans, build and test prototypes, and troubleshoot any malfunctions in equipment. Governments are typically the biggest clients in the aerospace sector.

Aerospace Engineering Course Curriculum

Kicking off your aerospace engineering education with opens up a broad range of online courses. You can start with foundational topics like the basics of rocket science, orbital mechanics, and astronaut safety protocols. More advanced courses delve into propulsion systems, space flight dynamics, and aircraft design.

If you’re just starting out, introductory courses on core engineering principles can set you up for success in a formal program. Meanwhile, industry professionals looking to level up can explore specialized topics like hypersonics (the study of flight exceeding Mach 5) or forensics engineering, which investigates failures and prevents future disasters.

Exploring Aerospace Engineering Jobs

The aerospace field offers thrilling career opportunities, with two main types of engineers:

• Aeronautical engineers focus on aircraft—designing them, improving propulsion systems, and studying aerodynamics and materials. They deal with flight theory and technology within Earth’s atmosphere.
• Astronautical engineers specialize in spacecraft, analyzing their performance both inside and beyond our atmosphere. Their work ranges from small satellites like CubeSats to massive traditional satellites.

Beyond these, aerospace careers span various roles, including:

• Electrical engineers, who design and test electrical power systems for space vehicles.
• Product review engineers, assessing performance and resolving issues in aircraft production.
• Research scientists, specializing in areas like modeling, simulation, fluid dynamics, and material science.
• Flight planning engineers, coordinating missions like those for the International Space Station.
• Program managers, overseeing teams in aircraft and spacecraft development.

How to Become an Aerospace Engineer Online

Aerospace engineering is demanding, requiring expertise in computer science and aerospace systems—but online learning makes it accessible. Start with a bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, or a related STEM field. For career advancement, a master’s in engineering can be a game-changer. While a bachelor’s is usually the minimum for engineering roles, some positions may need additional certifications depending on location and job level.