Aerospace engineering is about designing, building and looking after aircraft and spacecraft and it’s an industry that mixes practical skills and science so things can actually fly safely. It includes everything from planes to rockets and engineers don’t just design them, they also test and improve how they work in real life conditions.
Main areas of study
Aeronautical engineering focuses on aircraft in the Earth’s atmosphere and astronautical engineering, which deals with space. Engineers will need to know all about aerodynamics, materials and control systems, as all these parts can affect how a vehicle performs.
Aerospace vs Mechanical Engineering
Aerospace engineering is quite specialised compared to mechanical engineering but both areas can work together, especially if you have to design complicated systems. Mechanical engineers can work in aerospace because they already know how machines are built. If you’re interested in how the UK regulates aviation, you can look here for more details. Aerospace engineers also need to know about different extreme conditions like how high altitudes work and space.
Materials and finishing
Another important area is aerospace surface treatments, such as the example seen here, //www.poeton.co.uk/about/industries/aerospace-defence/, and these can help to protect sensitive materials from damage and corrosion. Things like polishing, coating and chemical treatments can make parts last longer and work better.
Why it matters
Aerospace engineering is also an important industry for travel, defence and exploring space. It can take a lot of training to be qualified but it’s a good field to work in if you’re interested in how things work and fly.