Aeronautical and astronautical engineers apply their understanding of basic physical phenomena to design and operate aircraft, missiles, and space vehicles. Aeronautics is the design, development, analysis, testing, and production of aircraft for military or civilian markets. Astronautics is the design, development, analysis, testing, and production of rockets, spacecraft, and global space/international systems. As an aeronautics and astronautics student, you’ll follow a curriculum that explores the fundamentals of engineering science and the technologies and design of flight vehicles. Aircraft and spacecraft design courses integrate many engineering fields to provide a mastery of complete flight systems.

As an aeronautical or astronautical engineer, you can work in aviation, defense, space exploration—even the automotive industry. Specific responsibilities for an aeronautical engineer can include: Conducting wind tunnel tests on an aircraft model Designing and analyzing an airplane wing’s structure Testing aircraft engines For an astronautical engineer: Designing power systems for satellites Developing communications systems Designing reusable space vehicles Your career path could include graduate school or employment with one of many companies or organizations, including ATA Engineering, Ball Aerospace, Belcan, Blue Origin, Boeing, Butler America, Dassault Falcon Jet, General Electric (Aircraft Engines, Aviation and Transportation), Gulfstream, Lockheed Martin, Military Service, NASA, NAS, NASIC, Navair, Northrop Grumman, Orbital ATK, Rockwell Collins, Rolls-Royce, SpaceX, and Xcor Aerospace.