Technology & Engineering · Depth 2 · Introductory · 1 min read
Aerospace Engineering
The engineering of aircraft, spacecraft, satellites and missiles, from first design to tested prototype. It splits into aeronautics and astronautics.
On this page
What is it?
Aerospace engineers design, develop and test aircraft, spacecraft, satellites and missiles. Their work runs from early designs, through building prototypes, to checking that the finished product performs as intended.[1]
Two branches
- Aeronautical engineering focuses on aircraft and their propulsion systems, and on how they fly within Earth’s atmosphere.[1]
- Astronautical engineering deals with the science and technology of spacecraft, both inside and beyond the atmosphere.[1]
Testing before flying
A large part of the job is testing. For example, NASA’s Multirotor Test Bed sits in a wind tunnel and measures the aerodynamic loads on individual rotors. The data helps engineers check their computer predictions of performance and noise for drones, tiltrotors and future air taxis.[2]
Becoming an aerospace engineer
In the United States, the usual route into the job is a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering or a related field. Chemistry, physics and mathematics are the key school subjects.[1]
Real-life examples
Testing future air taxis
NASA's Multirotor Test Bed measures the forces on individual rotors in a wind tunnel, to improve predictions for drones, tiltrotors and future air taxis.[2]
From prototype to product
Before an aircraft or spacecraft is finished, aerospace engineers build and test prototypes to check it works as designed.[1]
Go deeper
5 of 7 topics below this one are written so far. The rest are uncharted: on the map, but not yet written. The Atlas is growing.
- AircraftHow an airplane's parts work together: wings for lift, engines for thrust, and hinged surfaces that let the pilot steer in three directions.
- AerodynamicsThe study of forces on objects moving through air, and the motion they cause. It explains what holds a plane up and what slows it down.2 branches
- DronesDrones are aircraft with no pilot on board, flown remotely or autonomously. What they are, how multirotors are studied, and the basic rules.
- History of Flight
- Rockets
Learn more
Short descriptions are our own summaries. The resources belong to, and are run by, their publishers.
- Aerospace Engineers: career profile ↗
by BLS
What aerospace engineers do, how to become one, and what the job market looks like (United States).
- Beginner’s Guide to Aeronautics ↗
by NASA
NASA Glenn’s free, illustrated guide to how airplanes and rockets fly, from the four forces to engines and wind tunnels.
- Beginner’s Guide interactive simulators ↗
by NASA
Free NASA simulators for airfoils, kites, engines, nozzles, rockets and wind tunnels. Best on a desktop computer.
Evidence & sources
Supported by highly reputable institutions such as government agencies, universities or standards bodies.
Why this level? This page describes a profession and how engineers test designs: practical, factual information rather than a scientific finding, drawn from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and NASA.
This is a Knowledge Atlas editorial classification of the sources we could find, not a certificate of truth. How we evaluate knowledge
Sources
Based on 2 sources from 2 institutions: BLS, NASA.
Show all 2 sourcesHide the list
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics· Government agencyAerospace Engineers, Occupational Outlook HandbookOpened and checked against this page on 28 Sept 2026
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration· Government agencyTesting Air Taxis, Drones and More with NASA’s Multirotor Test BedOpened and checked against this page on 28 Sept 2026