Aerospace Engineering

Aerospace engineering is a discipline of engineering that teaches students how to design, build, and repair spacecraft, airplanes, missiles, and weapons systems. Candidates can pursue an aerospace engineering course after completing their Class 12th from the science stream from a recognized board. Mechanical engineering makes up a significant portion of aerospace engineering and covers a wide range of subjects, such as computer application, structures, mathematics, physics, drawing, electricity, robotics, aeronautics, etc. To pursue aerospace engineering candidates must have scored a valid percentage in class 12th and pass the entrance exams like JEE Main, JEE Advanced, SET, etc. 

Aerospace engineering graduates can find career opportunities with governmental organizations, manufacturing companies, the International Space Station, or airlines. Some of the top aerospace engineering recruiters are HAL, ISRO, DRDO, Airbnb, etc. The aerospace engineering courses are available in online and offline mode and are offered at the diploma level, bachelor’s, master's, and doctoral levels. Some of the top aerospace engineering colleges in India are IIT Madras, IIT Bombay, Manipal Insitute of Technology, IIT Kharagpur, etc. And, the aerospace engineering fees in India range from INR 60,0000 LPA to INR 5,00,000 LPA for a bachelor’s degree. 

Read the full post to get complete details about aerospace engineering. 

Aerospace engineering is concerned with the design, development, testing, and maintenance of commercial and military aircraft and spacecraft. Aerospace engineering emerged in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Candidates who are planning to pursue aerospace engineering can go through the highlights about it given below and get an idea about the course. 

If you are fascinated by how airplanes and aircraft are made and developed, as well as what the mechanism of flying airplanes is, aerospace engineering is the profession for you.  Engineers in the aerospace industry work on planes, space shuttles, satellites, and even weapons. In order to become an aerospace engineer, you should fulfill the following eligibility criteria 

1. Aerospace Engineering Eligibility Criteria for Diploma 

To get admitted to the diploma in the aerospace engineering programme, the candidate must have a minimum of 50% in your class 10th test, with science and math as mandatory courses

2. Aerospace Engineering Eligibility Criteria for Undergraduate Degree

Passing higher secondary or Class 12 with a minimum of 60% (55.5% for SC/ST) in Science is the minimum qualifying condition for pursuing a B.Tech Aerospace Engineering (Physics, Chemistry, and Maths)

3. Aerospace Engineering Eligibility Criteria for Master’s Degree

The majority of degree programmes in aerospace engineering are given at the post-graduate level. For this, the candidate must have a Bachelor's degree (BE/B Tech or equivalent) with a minimum of 60% (55 % for SC/ST).

GATE scores are necessary for entrance to postgraduate and doctoral programmes, as well as research.

Candidates with a three-four year engineering degree, a technical diploma, a five-year architecture degree, and a postgraduate degree in mathematics/science/statistics/computer applications are also qualified to study Aerospace Engineering

4. Aerospace Engineering Eligibility Criteria for NASA

If you want to work for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the United States (US), you should know that NASA recommends a degree in Biomedical Engineering, Ceramic Engineering, Chemistry, Industrial Engineering, Materials Engineering, Metallurgy, Optical Engineering, and Oceanography. 

Quick Link: JEE Main eligibility criteria

Skills required for Aeronautical Engineering Course

Aerospace engineering is a highly specialized technical degree that necessitates a high level of mathematical, calculative, and observational abilities. Because research in this discipline takes years to complete, perseverance and tenacity are essential. To be a successful Aerospace Engineer, you must have the following qualities/skills:

• Excellent academic credentials in the Science fields

• Proficient Analytical and quantitative abilities 

• Product design creativity and innovativeness

• Attention to detail

• Ability to operate under pressure and for lengthy periods of time

• Scientific knowledge

• Physical endurance

• Capability to operate in a team and lead a team

Quick Link: BSc Aeronautics colleges in India!

With the advancement in the space sectors, the countries are growing their air force and looking forward to making their mark in space. There is a great need for space crafts, satellites, airspace instruments, etc. To cater to these needs several aerospace engineers are required making aerospace engineering a prospective profession. The following are the major reasons that you must choose an aerospace engineering course to study. 

Equip you with Skill

Aerospace Engineering will provide you with practical skills that are immediately applicable to the space sector and job. Because the aerospace sector is somewhat closed-off, a degree like this will provide you with the contacts and connections you need to establish your career.

Jobs Opportunities

Aerospace Engineering is a solid choice for a high-paying job since graduates are in great demand. Making planes and spaceships is a large industry, and employers are keen to acquire people with practical expertise. Graduates of this programme have a wide range of options for employment. Joining the RAF, Navy, or Army Air Corps, or developing vehicles for private corporations are just a few of the alternatives available.

Aid in Changing World

Aerospace Engineering is at the cutting edge of current technology, and a degree in this field might allow you to transform the world. 

Opportunity in ISRO

The ISRO, India's primary space agency, ranks fifth in the world with a budget of more than 1.5 billion dollars and a record of launching the most satellites in a single mission. It is not the end; numerous satellites, rockets, missiles, and other systems will be launched in the future, raising the ISRO's international profile and expanding job options subsequently opening several aerospace engineering jobs. 

Quick Link: Taking up a career as an aerospace engineer

Aeronautical and astronomical engineering are the two areas of specialization for aerospace engineers. An aeronautical engineer works on aircraft and the parts that make them up. An astronomy engineer focuses on technologies connected to spacecraft.

Quick Link: MTech aerospace engineering colleges in India

Many students are perplexed by the distinction between Aerospace Engineering and Aeronautical Engineering.  Aerospace Engineering, on the other hand, is concerned with the construction of both spacecraft and airplanes. Aeronautical engineering is concerned with the design of airplanes, helicopters, and aircraft.  There is a significant difference between these two engineering specializations, and the table below will help you understand why.

Quick Link: JEE Advanced eligibility criteria

The aerospace engineering admission is done on the basis of Class 12th score and performance in engineering entrance examinations like JEE Main, AIEEE, SET, etc. Many colleges offer direct admission to aerospace engineering courses based on merits also. 

• The admission to B.Tech aerospace engineering is done via the entrance exams and marks scored in Class 12th. 
• Clearing DGCA examinations is required for obtaining a license in aircraft maintenance engineering.
• After passing the GATE test, one can pursue a Master's degree in Aerospace at premier institutes like the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)

Quick Link: B.Tech aerospace engineering colleges in India

Admission to aerospace engineering courses is done mostly via the entrance examination. Candidates who want to pursue a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering are required to sit for the entrance exam and qualify with flying colors scoring the required cutoff to get admission into the college. Some of the major aerospace engineering entrance exams are 

JEE Main

JEE Main is a computer-based online test administered by the National Testing Agency for students wishing to pursue an undergraduate degree at India's premier engineering colleges in various disciplines of engineering. 

JEE Advanced

The JEE Advanced, also known as the Joint Entrance Examination (Advanced), is the second stage of the IIT JEE main exam. Every year, one of seven Zonal IITs administers the test on behalf of JAB (Joint Admission Board). Candidates who pass both the JEE Main and Advanced will be admitted to the prestigious Indian Insitute of Technology (IITs) in India to study B.Tech in aerospace engineering.

GATE

The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is a national test that is approved and administered in eight districts across the country. The GATE Committee, faculty members from IISc, and seven other IITs administer the test on behalf of the Ministry of Human Resources Development, the National Coordinating Board, and the Department of Education. 

Apart from these popular aerospace engineering entrance exams, there are several other entrance exams also conducted to offer admission to candidates like 

• Indian Institute of Aeronautical Engineering Entrance Exam

• CEE (Combined Entrance Examination, Delhi University)

• SLIET SET (Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology Entrance Exam)

• IISAT (Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology Admission Test)

• IPU CET

• SRMJEEE

In India, there are around 50 BTech Aerospace Engineering colleges, with almost 90% being private and more than 10% being government. Many institutes offer Aerospace Engineering as a full-fledged field of study, while others offer it as an optional course. Listed below are some of the aerospace engineering colleges in India: 

Aeronautical engineering has a lot of opportunities in India and overseas because it is one of the world's fastest-growing sectors as each country wants to mark its flag in space and wants to excel in space missions. The progress of technology in this area has boosted the demand for competent aeronautical engineers. To get admission into top aerospace engineering colleges in abroad you should have passed class 12th and cleared international exams like IELTS, Sop, LORs, etc. Here are some of the perks of studying aerospace engineering in abroad mentioned

• Career Prospect:  If you can afford to study aerospace engineering courses will bring you a lot of career prospects from earning a lucrative salary to working in international companies like Airbus, Boeing, NASA, etc
• Top Class Education Facility: In international universities, excellent education is offered with a focus on class lessons as well as practical skills building, and the university also emphasizes building the overall personality of students. 
• International Exposure: Along with that, you will get the opportunity to meet people with different backgrounds which will give you exposure to different views and ideas on aerospace engineering also

Quick Link: PhD in aerospace engineering colleges in India

An international degree in aerospace engineering is considered reputable across the globe and will offer you various job prospects when you will return to India. If you are opting to study aerospace engineering abroad here are some of the top international aerospace engineering colleges listed below with the specialization offered. 

Quick Link: Things to keep in mind while selecting engineering colleges in India

The aerospace engineering fees mainly depends upon the type of colleges you are opting for. If If you are pursuing an aerospace engineering course in India then fees will be low and if you are opting to study the programme abroad the fees will be relatively higher. Moreover, if you are eligible for any scholarship then your aerospace engineering cees will be lowered. To help you get an idea about the approx fees, we have provided details below.

Note- The aerospace engineering course fees given above is just a rough estimate and varies from college to college. 

Quick Link: Scholarships offered by the top IITs

An aerospace engineering degree is consist of a wide range of different specializations. Candidates get various aerospace engineering specializations to choose from and make careers in that particular field. Given below is the aerospace engineering syllabus for different specializations. 

Quick Link: Top B.Tech colleges in India

BTech Aerospace Engineering Syllabus 

A B.Tech degree in aerospace engineering is 4 years long and consists of 8 semesters. It is concerned with the science and technology of various airplanes and spacecraft, including space shuttles. The BTech aerospace engineering syllabus is as follows

MTech Aerospace Engineering Syllabus 

The MTech (Master of Technology) programme in Aerospace Engineering two years long and is divided into four semesters. To be eligible for an MTech aerospace engineering degree students must have completed a bachelor’s degree. The MTech aerospace engineering syllabus is as follows

Aerospace engineering is defined as a subset of engineering that focuses on the abilities required to design, construct, and repair airplanes and other spacecraft. It also covers weapons systems and missiles. As Aerospace Engineering is primarily concerned with mechanical elements, it likely overlaps with the mechanical engineering area. Aerospace Engineering, although covering a wide range of subjects, also incorporates computer science, physics, and mathematics applications. Therefore, students will become proficient in subjects like physics, mathematics, and science while studying the aerospace engineering syllabus. 

Electricity and robotics are two more topics that candidates will study in the Aerospace Engineering course. Aerospace Engineering also encompasses aeronautical engineering and astronautical engineering classes. As a result, it is often regarded as the most difficult branch of engineering among students. 

Quick Link: JEE Main syllabus

The aerospace engineering syllabus consists of core subjects and elective subjects. Mechanics (Solids and Fluids),  Heat Transfer, Thermodynamics, and Materials Science are all part of the aerospace engineering syllabus. There are additional optional subjects available to assist strengthen and broadening the knowledge foundation. There have been no significant modifications to the AE course syllabus. Check the aerospace engineering subjects given below.

Core Aerospace Engineering Subjects

Following are the core subjects of the aerospace engineering programme. 

• Spaceflight dynamics

• Propulsion and Gas dynamics

• Aerospace computer applications

• Rocket propulsion

• Avionics

• Optimal control and Orbital determination

• Estimation and model-based system

• Incompressible fluid mechanics

Elective Aerospace Engineering Subjects 

Followings are the aerospace engineering elective subjects

• Finite Element Analysis of Structures

• Numerical Methods

• Aircraft Stability and Control

• Space Vehicle Dynamics and Control

• Wing Theory

• Rocket Propulsion

• Structural Dynamics and Aeroelasticity

• Aerospace Structural Analysis and Design

• Trajectory Simulation and Analysis

• Aerospace Program Management

• Aircraft System Identification

• Optimal Control and Estimation

• Orbit Determination and Estimation

• Helicopter Aerodynamics and Performance

• Computational Fluid Dynamics

• Robust Control of Nonlinear Systems

• Surface Transportation and Power Generation Systems

• Mechanics of Composite Materials

• Model-Based Systems Architecture

In India, an average graduating aeronautical engineer may make roughly INR 45,000/-, with postgraduate aeronautical engineers earning more.  With a few years of expertise, the salary can rise to Rs. 8,00,000 per year and continue to rise to Rs. 15,00,000 per year and beyond, based on your experience and talents. To get an idea check the aerospace engineering salary offered by the top recruiters below. 

Aeronautical engineering has a strong future in India due to the rising number of firms in the aviation industry. Sectors concentrating on rocket construction, pace research, freight shipping, traveling aircraft, drone services, chopper services, and so on are some of the leading recruiters of aerospace engineers in India.

• An aerospace engineer can work for any rocket-building company, such as NASA, ISRO, or SpaceX

• Aerospace engineers can work in the defense industry as aircraft technicians, pilots, and so on

• Many MNCs engage aerospace experts primarily for helicopter-based projects.

• These engineers have a wide range of opportunities in both the public and commercial sectors

•  They can work in aviation organizations, air turbine manufacturing plants, design and research areas, aircraft ventures, management corporations, aircraft industrialized divisions, and teaching/coaching institutions

Quick Link: Career as a Flight Engineer

Some of the aerospace engineering job options include:

Aerospace Engineer:  An aerospace engineer primary duties include supervising and organizing the production of aircraft and associated goods, including their design, fabrication, modification, and testing. These experts must explain a framework for destructive and nondestructive testing for the durability, strength, functionality, and dependability of aircraft and its parts.

Data Processing Manager: Planning, organizing, and directing data processing operations is the major responsibility of the data processing manager. These managers' normal tasks also include creating cost estimates for software and hardware changes and keeping an eye on the effectiveness of a data processing department. 

Aircraft or Spacecraft Designers: Aircraft or spaceship designers, often referred to as astronautical engineers, use their mechanical and artistic abilities to create and design a variety of spacecraft. Building, developing, and testing missiles, aeroplanes, and spacecraft are among their work responsibilities

Aerospace Technician: A big aspect of an aircraft engineering team is an aerospace technician. They operate and maintain the machinery required to test and prepare spacecraft in labs, factories, and engineering offices. Typically, engineers and aeronautical technicians collaborate when testing prototypes.

Some of the other aerospace engineering job options include

• Data Processing Manager

• Data Analyst 

• Aircraft mechanic 

• Maintenance Engineer

• Mechanical Engineer 

• Drafter

• Industrial Engineer

• Materials Engineer

• Manufacturing System Engineer

Quick Link: Career as an airforce officer

Aerospace Engineer Job Profile

An aerospace engineer is responsible for the following duties:

• When working on a project, aerospace engineers make sure that the finished airplane and component parts will be secure

• They ensure that the projects adhere to the necessary quality standards and design method acceptance requirements

• Aerospace engineers evaluate product designs to make sure they follow technical guidelines, consumer needs, and environmental consideration

• Aerospace engineers examine faulty or damaged goods to determine the cause of problems and offer suggestions for potential fixes

• They develop cutting-edge technologies for use in aerospace, defense, and space exploration. Aerospace engineers are experts in a variety of fields, including robotics, propulsion, combustion, guidance, and structural design

• The building of aircraft as well as the installation of instruments, engines, and other hardware is under the control of aerospace engineers

Quick Link: Is it worth doing aerospace engineering

TAS, Airbus, and ISRO are just a few of the major recruiters for aerospace engineers. With a big number of aviation manufacturers, India presently has a very high potential for good aeronautical engineer postings.  Some of the major aerospace engineering recruiters are as follows: 

• National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL)

• Defense Research And Development Organization (DRDO)

• Taneja Aerospace

• Indian Space Research Organizations (ISRO)

• L&T

• Samtel Avionics

• National Aerospace Laboratories

• Eaton

• Honeywell

• Rolls Royce

• Timetooth Technologies

• Infotech Enterprises

Quick Link: How good is an aeronautical engineering career

We hope that this post on aerospace engineering was helpful and informative to you.