Engineering Disciplines

Aerospace Engineering

Introduction -

Aerospace may be defined as the atmosphere of the earth and the space surrounding it. The term Aerospace is used to refer the research, design, operation and maintenance of vehicles moving through air and space. Therefore Aerospace Engineering is the application of engineering and science to the flying vehicles operating within and outside of the Earth’s Atmosphere.

We are already experiencing eye opening advancement around the world in the field of space exploration. A large percentage of people have graduated from trains to airplanes. It has been ages now when we landed on the moon. Now we are even thinking about setting up life on the moon and research is being done for the Planet Mars. Many such researches are in the process of making and it needs the skills and expertise of Aerospace Engineers.

Aerospace Engineering has a much broader scope than Aeronautical Engineering. Aeronautical Engineers work only on aircrafts and helicopters and related fields but Aerospace Engineers apart from working on air crafts and helicopters, also work on rockets, missiles, satellites, space station, lunar, space shuttle or interplanetary probes etc.

The field of Aerospace Engineering can be very interesting especially for those who have a passion for astronomy and are fascinated with air crafts, missiles and space etc. They are involved in designing, simulating and testing of aircraft systems and a detailed study of fluid dynamics, propulsion, software development and material science.

As the job of an Aerospace Engineer deals with highly technological systems, it requires an analytical aptitude in a person. Aerospace Engineers have to work within a team so they should be able to work in co-operation. In addition they should have an eye for detail, alert and have a high level of mathematical precision. With these qualities, a person can soar to the pinnacle of success as an Aerospace Engineer.

Aerospace Engineering

Educational Requirement : - degree – B.E/B.Tech for Aerospace Engineering. The eligibility criterion for a B.E./B.Tech is class 12^th Board Examination with Physics, Chemistry and Maths as compulsory subjects. A bachelor’s degree is required if you want to do an advanced course which is M.E./M.Tech. A person can also aim for a PhD to do research on matters related with Aerospace Engineering.

Selection: - The admission to the Aerospace Engineering course is very competitive. A student should pass IIT-JEE (Joint Entrance Examination) to attain admission in one of the prestigious IITs. This highly competitive test checks student’s ability in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. For other reputed institutions like NIT one has to succeed in AIEEE (All India Engineering/Pharmacy/Architecture). Also, there is state level and national level examinations as some institutions opt for their own entrance examinations.

Duration: - The B.E./B.Tech (bachelor’s degree) is a 4 year course in Aerospace Engineering. This is recognized by the government of India . The person can proceed further for an M.E./M.Tech course which is of 2 years.

Different Branches –

Aerospace Engineering students can be more successful when they determine their interest with the right kind of aptitude for a specific discipline of Aerospace Engineering. This way, they can develop an expertise in an area and flourish in the field as Aerospace Engineers.

The various disciplines of Aerospace Engineering are –

1. Aerodynamics – Aerodynamics Engineering deals with the application of engineering principles in designing an aerospace vehicle. Certain experimental and theoretical methods are developed and used to determine the effects on forces, heat transfer and moments to the design of aircraft, space vehicles and missiles. An aerodynamics engineer is required to have a perfect knowledge of fluid motion around bodies moving through and in the air of the atmosphere at variable speeds.

2. Propulsion – Propulsion Engineering deals with the analysis of components and application of gas dynamics of the various types of propulsion systems. Some propulsion systems giving their services to Aerospace vehicles are solid-propellant rockets, ramjet, electric and turbo jet and scramjets. Propulsion Engineers maintain and oversee the functions of Engine Control System and Performance Seeking Control. After all, a machine is nothing without an engine and an airplane is no less than a glider without its engine.

3. Dynamics and control – Dynamics and control engineering deals with the guidance and control systems of the Aerospace vehicles. It deals with the complete system and how sub systems and technologies are incorporated into the optimal design of a vehicle so that mission or project requirements are met. Analysis of flight trajectories, orbits and dynamic motion help to develop system optimization methods. It is very essential for the rockets and missiles to have accurate and dependable guidance systems to enable the rockets to hit their targets.

4. Aerospace Structures and Materials - Aerospace Structures and Materials engineering deals with the designing of aircrafts and spacecrafts structures. It also involves the principles of mechanics. The structural integrity of the vehicle is very necessary to maintain the balance for the efficient functioning of the vehicle so Structures and Materials Engineer must study the structures of air and space craft. There are different techniques which are applied to study materials and structures under static and dynamic loads, stationary and transient thermal environments, radiation and corrosion.

5. Satellite Applications - Satellite Application Engineers study and research in satellite techniques and a variety of issues like active and passive satellite, remote sensing for research in earth, ocean, atmospheric and planetary science. They also take care about the satellite positioning, using the Global Positioning System (GPS) for earth science research. The engineers are supported in their research by a large database of satellite remote sensing measurements, a variety of computer work stations, image processing units and GPS receivers.

Orbit Mechanics –Orbit Mechanic Engineers study and research in celestial mechanics, geophysics, analytical dynamics, optimization theory, numerical analysis, theory of estimation and mathematics and computer technology to the dynamic behavior of both natural and artificial bodies in the solar system. The research in orbit mechanics is supported by a large database of satellite measurement and a many types of computers including a workstation cluster and a supercomputer.

Career Options for Aerospace Engineers: -

There is no need to state the importance of Aerospace Engineers. There are unlimited opportunities for them. Every year there is a demand for about 5000 Aerospace Engineers and only 600 are able to qualify. They can specialize in various fields of Aerospace Engineering like structural design, control systems, navigational guidance, communication and instrumentation. Some of the engineers like to develop expertise in special vehicles like air craft, passenger planes, helicopters, rockets and satellites etc. They are also required for various managerial and teaching posts.

Aerospace Engineers can take up jobs in Airline Industry like Air India and Indian Airlines etc. They are also required by flying clubs, private airlines and government owned air service. Aerospace Engineering jobs are also available in Defense Research and Development Laboratories, Defense services and Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).

New Aerospace Engineers begin work as graduate trainees. Their performance, academic background and aptitude are taken into consideration to place them subsequently for training in the maintenance of aircraft, missile or satellite. Once they complete their training, they are appointed as Assistant Aircraft or Spacecraft Engineers or technical officers. They have to successfully pass departmental examinations for further promotions. They may rise and take up administrative or executive posts and even become consultants.

Salary – Aerospace Engineers are paid official scales in government organizations whereas the remuneration in the private companies is decided by the management of the companies. The starting salary in the government or public sector is in the range of Rs.18,000 to 25,000 in addition to allowances. In private sectors, it is approx. Rs.20,000 to 30,000, the perks added. Engineering graduates with a degree in management get a starting salary from Rs.30,000 to 50,000 per month plus allowances.

There are many benefits for Aerospace Engineers apart from salaries like allowances and other facilities for the family members of the Aerospace Engineers. So Aerospace Engineering is undoubtedly one of the best career options. It is very interesting, financially beneficial and awards an envious reputation in the society.

Aerospace Engineering

1. Indian Air force

2. BrahMOS Aerospace

3. Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)

4. Defense Research Development Organization (DRDO)

5. Taneja Aerospace and Aviation Ltd.

6. CSC

1. General Dynamics Corp.

2. Boeing

3. Lockheed Martin Corp.

4. INDRA SYSTEMS Inc.

5. Armor Holdings Inc.

6. Teledyne Corp.