Career questions tagged aerospaceengineering
Common misconceptions of astronauts?
I'm a 7th grader who hopes to pursue a career in aerospace and eventually become an astronaut. I am aware that millions of students find space cool, but very few build the profile that space agencies look for. What misconceptions do ambitious students have about becoming astronauts that can actually hurt their chances in the long run?
My name is Manuel, i’m in 8th grade, and I’m an aspiring aerospace engineer currently developing a design concept for a hypersonic interceptor called the Hyper X. I’d love to get feedback from experienced engineers on the viability of this thermal-layering approach and any advice on the next steps for a student looking to break into high-speed propulsion and materials science.
My goal was to solve the extreme thermal and structural trade-offs of Mach 5+ flight by using a 'systems-first' approach. The design features a lightweight carbon fiber internal skeleton for high strength-to-weight, protected by a heat-resistant titanium exoskeleton skin. To manage the massive thermal load, I’ve integrated a multi-layer insulation system using carbon-carbon composites and a specialized thermal interface, alongside a regenerative cooling strategy that uses the fuel itself as a heat sink before combustion. For aerodynamics, I’m proposing a needle-nose 'Sears-Haack' body with an X-wing configuration to maximize high-speed maneuverability and banking stability. To keep the center of gravity constant as fuel is depleted, the design uses integrated, baffled 'full-body' tanks. Finally, to eliminate the drag of a traditional cockpit while maintaining pilot safety, I’ve replaced the windows with a 360-degree Distributed Aperture System (DAS) with sensors housed in retractable 'cubbies' to protect them from high-velocity particle abrasion.
What kind of extracurriculars and projects should I work on if I want to build firmware for space?
I'm a university second year computer science student in Seattle. I'm super interested in embedded systems and firmware and would love to work on systems used by space agencies on their missions. What kind of extracurriculars and projects should I work on to help me build the skills to move towards my goal?
Useful Skills for EE?
Next year I’m starting out as an EE major in college, but I find myself fidgeting at home wondering if I’m doing all I can to prepare myself. What are some skills that I can begin teaching myself to better prepare myself for going into electrical engineering? Some friends suggested coding, while others said to skip coding and learn 3D modeling. All of my friends have different answers, and they always start to bicker when I bring it up. My dream job is working on plane electrics systems if that helps narrow it down.
What is the future of Liquid Rocket Engine Plumbing?
Currently, turbomachinery is the most commonly used system to hydraulically power the plumbing in LREs. As a future college student who will be studying these, I've always wanted to know what others think about the alternatives to the turbine and pump methods. The decreased lifetime of LREs due to these "extra" moving parts provides a challenge to decreasing the costs and increasing the reusability of modern rockets. I figure this is something important to consider before we go further into increasingly complex designs, especially considering the current most advanced systems are using full-flow staged combustion designs, which use two preburners to power the oxide and fuel pumps. There are a few alternatives; however, they all have their own issues, and overall, I am most curious about what innovations would best solve the issues for these other designs that would allow them to be superior.
What degree shall I pursue that will allow me a career in aviation possible piloting? Should I apply for mechanical engineering or other options available? Please let me know what your opinion would be. I really like to build things, but I also wanna fly.
I’m a high school student and my goal in life is definitely to fly. I really enjoyed building things as well. My GPS is 4.0 I’m very diligent about my school work and math is my favorite subject. I like to travel and visited 40 of the 63 National parks in the US. This is when I developed my love for flight.
How do I narrow down potential engineering fields?
Currently, I am stuck between chemical, mechanical, and aerospace engineering. All of these really interest me, but I cannot choose. Thank you!?
How can I go to college to become a pilot for free? #fall25
What are the requirements to become a pilot? What kind of school should I attend to become a pilot? What's better, being a private pilot or being a commercial pilot? Can I study Aeronautical and learn how to fly a plane at the same time? What kind of engineering could I study that also connects to planes/being a pilot? Can I pursue a trade and attend flight school on the side to become a pilot? Is going to the Air Force a good way to learn about planes and how to pilot them? #fall25
How would I go about my interviewing process to get a job in mechanical engineering, and how would that differ for aerospace engineering and chemical engineering?
I have known that i have wanted to be an engineer since second grade, but i have been undecided between aerospace, mechanical, and chemical.
Weak in math but dream of becoming an aerospace engineer - where do I start??
I’m currently an AS Level student who wants to pursue aerospace engineering. I never took math seriously until I realized this year that I wanted to enter the field. Since then, I’ve started learning everything I can that’s relevant — reading books on aerospace engineering (such as Introduction to Flight), studying essential programming languages (MATLAB, Python, C++), and experimenting with Arduino projects. I’m doing well in my other STEM subjects (Physics, Biology, and Chemistry), but my weak foundation in mathematics has been a constant concern. I understand that aerospace engineering involves a lot of advanced math, and I want to strengthen this area to prepare for the future.
How do you know what type of engineering you want be?
I've wanted to be an aerospace engineering because I find rockets and airplanes interesting. Is that all there is to it or is there a deeper reason for why I should pick a certain type of engineering.
types of engineering jobs ?
types of engineering jobs
how will i get admission to study aeronautical engineering
what, how and why will i get admission to study aeronautical engineering,
Fields in Engineering.
If my main strengths are math, chemistry, and physics and I am interested in Engineering, what fields could I look into?
Questions for an Aerospace Engineer:
Questions for an Aerospace Engineer: What does the day of an Aerospace Engineer look like (more in-depth)? What are the average hours per week? Is there mandatory over-time? Is this a very creative job? Or is it your assignment very structured? Is the job very dynamic? Is there always a new assignment to work on? Is it so difficult that you need to do research outside of work (internet, seeking another professional, books, etc.) or do the job training & academic education suffice? What do they mainly ask at an interview? Does NASA offer apprenticeships?
How much do aerospace engineers make when they first start?
I'm in 8th grade and preparing for my future for when I get into college, my dream job is to be an Aerospace Engineer because I love science.
What are some extracurricular activities I can do in Florida to help me become an aerospace engineer
I live in orlando florida and I want the activities to be near me
is it difficult to make designs?
I'm interested in rocket science. I think maybe it's difficult to make designs, but if I put time to achieve it, I could
how is the workflow divided at this job?
I am an aspiring designer/engineer and know basic rocketry/areonaughtical/areospace and materials engineering #engineering #space #Aerospace
How exciting is it being an aerospace engineer? How practical?
I have been interested in engineering for a while and I am most interested in aerospace engineering. Am I better off getting a degree in electrical or mechanical engineering? And what opportunities are out there for an aerospace engineer? #aerospaceengineering #engineering #engineer
What will it take to get a degree in aerospace engineering?
When growing up I was always interested in movies like Star Wars and Star Trek,and how they would push different boundaries in space. One day I would like to push those boundaries too and make it to the stars. #aerospaceengineering
Which is the best school to choose for a career as an aerospace engineer?
I am very interested in a career as an aerospace engineer. I have visited 3 schools in the mid Atlantic area that have a good reputation in engineering. When I ask each one which makes your school standout over the other ones I got pretty vague answers. I have been told to ask questions to these schools like what is your retention rate for students interested in a career as an aerospace engineer once a student graduates? Only one answered that question in length. It is hard to try and see the future and select which path to take to get to your goal. Besides having to be exceptional in math and physics what else can I do to raise my chances of making it in the aerospace engineering field? Is it better to work for NASA or a private company like Space X or Boeing? I love physics and math and most of all anything to do with space. I just want to make sure I am making the right choices in my education. #aerosapceengineeringcareer #aerospaceengineering #aerospaceengineeringeducation
How did you decide which sector of aerospace engineering you wanted to pursue (aero or astro)?
Aerospace engineering can be a very broad career topic, but is split into two different tracks. Thinking about my career in aerospace engineering worries me that I will have difficulty deciding on my track. #engineering #experience #aerospace #in
Does having a master's degree increase my rate in getting a job as a Aerospace Engineer
I'm in the tenth grade and I what to know what I should focus on. They say a bachelor is good enough but I want to be sure. Any other information would be #engineer #aerospace
How well do the jobs available to mechanical engineers pay?
I'm a junior in high school, and I am interested in becoming a mechanical engineer. i would like to know how well off, money wise, I would be if I were to pursue a career having to do with mechanical engineering. #engineering #mechanical-engineering
How to enter/help develop Space Industry?
Hi, Thanks for clicking on the question link. I am not sure what to do and would like to hear some anonymous advice. Who am I? Someone who has dreamed about whats in outer space, but currently, I am a College student who will be graduating this semester with a B.S. Degree in Economics and a minor in Psychology (~3.23 cumulative g.p.a.). Though, I could have graduated last semester I decided to stay an extra semester and pursue an interest I have in a Engineering/Science degree. I did this by studying Mechanical Engineering because it appears very versatile, though I was close to choosing astrophysics (Seems like for astrophysics, it would take at least 20 years to get where you would want to be). The purpose of this would be to eventually allow me to work somewhere in the space industry. I would greatly enjoy assisting government or third party space companies/programs develop (i.e. NASA, Space X, Deep Space Industries, or Planetary Resources). The Dilemma, it would take another 6 semesters (3 years) of hard work and money to finish this second B.S. degree and I am not so sure it would get me any closer to my dream job. I have been contemplating earning a PhD in economics and try to help that way (I do have some research ideas and would not mind teaching), but it would take at least another 7 years of school and I am not even sure I could get in or could afford it because my g.p.a. of ~3.23 is low for even getting accepted to grad school. I think I have summed up my problem well, but if there is anything relevant that could help you, help me feel free to ask. Thank you again for your help! Tim #business #engineering #economics #astrophysics #space-planning
Is there a career that combines aerospace engineering and environmental science?
I really want to go into engineering, but I also want to have a connection into renewable energy. #engineering #environmental-science #areospace
Will the significant advance in technology/space exploration, mean that the demand of aerospace engineers will grow?
I was wondering since all this technology is rapidly changing will affect the job outlook of aerospace engineers. According to the Bureau of Labor statistics, the job outlook was slower than average. Will this statistic change in the next couple of years? #engineering #technology #job #aerospace #future #outlook
How will aerospace engineering change in the future.
Aerospace engineering is a career that I deeply consider trying and I would like to know how this career could possibly change in the future specifically ten years from now. #engineering #career #aerospace #future
What are some other jobs/careers that relate with aerospace engineering?
I am currently interested with aerospace engineering, and I would like to gain more knowledge within the field. I would like other careers that relate within the field so I can have other possible career options. #engineering #career #aerospace #future #knowledge #field