Learn aerospace engineering

What is aerospace engineering?

Aerospace engineering is a field of engineering specifically focused on the design, development, and testing of aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles.

This field requires engineers to apply the sciences of aerodynamics, propulsion systems, structural design, and avionics to create new technology. Designing these products can be a very complex process that takes multiple years. Engineers will need to:

• Understand the customer's requirements.
• Assess project proposals for feasibility and safety.
• Develop a design plan.
• Create and test prototypes.
• Inspect and address any problems related to malfunctioning equipment.

The government is one of the aerospace industry's largest customers.

Aerospace engineering course curriculum

Launching your aerospace engineering education through edX allows you to choose from a wide variety of online coursework. Courses and certificates in aerospace engineering cover various topics, such as:

• Basic principles behind rocket science and orbital mechanics.
• Best practices for astronaut safety.
• Logistics of propulsion systems, space flight, and aircraft design.

Beginners can explore courses that cover fundamental engineering principles to set themselves up for success in a professional program.

Industry professionals looking to accelerate their careers can explore advanced programs on more specialized topics, such as hypersonics, which is the study of flight speeds greater than Mach 5, or forensics engineering, which explores how to prevent disasters from reoccurring.

Aerospace engineering jobs

There are many exciting roles available for individuals pursuing an aerospace career. You can decide to pursue a more generalist pathway:

• Aeronautical engineers work with aircraft. They focus on designing aircraft and propulsion systems and study the aerodynamic performance of aircraft and construction materials. They work with the theory, technology, and practice of flight within Earth's atmosphere.
• Astronautical engineers, who work with the science and technology of spacecraft, examine how these structures perform inside and outside Earth's atmosphere. Their work extends to small satellites such as CubeSats and traditional large satellites.

Other aerospace engineering jobs span different sectors and consist of varying duties. They include:

• Electrical engineers design, develop, build, test, and integrate electrical power systems for space vehicles.
• Product review engineers evaluate performance and other issues on aircraft production lines.
• Research scientists work in specific areas such as modeling and simulation, involving electromagnetic radiation, fluid dynamics, and material properties.
• Flight planning and requirements engineers support projects such as the International Space Station Program by coordinating and communicating planned trips.
• Program managers lead teams and projects that involve various aspects of airplane and/or spacecraft design and manufacturing.

How to become an aerospace engineer

After taking your first edX aerospace engineering course, complete the following steps to qualify for an entry-level position and make yourself an attractive applicant.

• Major in aerospace engineering: A bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering features a rigorous core curriculum. Core coursework can help you master engineering fundamentals and advanced mathematics.
• Take electives: Electives can help you refine your educational experience and align it with your career goals. Courses may cover vibration analysis, aircraft propulsion, or advanced mathematics. Don't forget to take electives emphasizing transferable skills.
• Complete an internship: Completing one or more internships as an undergraduate lets you develop your skills in real-world settings, network with like-minded peers, and work under experienced professionals. Impressing your supervisor may lead to a letter of recommendation.

Last updated July 28, 2025