Engineering consists of so many branches, and aerospace engineering is one of them. Aerospace engineering provides the knowledge and skill to design and develop the spacecraft, missiles, aircraft, and other weapon systems.

The syllabus of aerospace engineering mostly revolves around mechanical engineering, which includes computer application, mathematics, physics, drafting, electricity, robotics, aeronautics, etc. Aerospace engineering covers two branches of engineering – aeronautical engineering and astronomical engineering.

It is considered as one of the toughest branches of engineering by the students. It is offered in both undergraduate and postgraduate levels in the form of B.Tech and M.Tech degrees. It is also available in advanced diploma and Ph.D. level. 

Eligibility criteria

These are the eligibility criteria that need to be fulfilled for pursuing aerospace engineering. 

• The minimum eligibility criteria for pursuing aerospace engineering is to pass the senior secondary examination with at least 60 percent marks (For general students) and 55 percent (For SC/ST students) in the science stream. The subjects to be taken into consideration is Physics, Chemistry, and Maths.
• The minimum criteria for aerospace engineering at the postgraduate level is 60 percent marks (For general students) and 55 percent marks (For SC/ST students) in the Bachelor’s degree. The Bachelor’s degree should be BE or B.Tech or equivalent to these.
• GATE score will be required for taking admission in Postgraduate or Doctoral programs and research in aerospace engineering.
• Candidates must have a 3-4 year degree in engineering or technical diploma or 5-year degree in architecture. Candidates with a postgraduate degree in Mathematics/Science/Statistics/Computer applications are also eligible to pursue aerospace engineering.
• If someone wants to apply for NASA or any similar organization, then they must hold a degree in a variety of disciplines including biomechanical engineering, ceramic engineering, chemistry, industrial engineering, materials engineering, metallurgy, optical engineering, and oceanography. A ph.D. is compulsory for joining NASA.

Scope of Aerospace Engineering

• Aerospace engineers are required to design more cost-effective satellites and space shuttles.
• In the era where commercialization of space shuttles and rockets is taking place, aerospace engineers are the utmost need.
• With the increased interest in private companies in aerospace technology, the need for aerospace engineers is bound to happen.

Subjects in Aerospace Engineering

• Aerodynamics                                                                                 
• Aerospace Propulsion
• Aerospace Structural Mechanics
• Aircraft Design
• Aircraft Propulsion
• Flight Mechanics
• Incompressible Flight Mechanics
• Introduction to Aerospace Engineering
• Spaceflight Mechanics
• Thermodynamics and Propulsion

Type of Aerospace Engineers

There are two types of engineering in which aerospace engineers specialize in-

• Aeronautical Engineer – They work on aircraft and its components.
• Astronomical Engineer – They work specifically on spacecraft and its related technologies.  

Average Salary of Aerospace Engineers

The average salary of aerospace engineers in India is around Rs 799,221. The salary of aerospace engineers increases with experience. The increase is estimated to be up to 199% in the late-career.

The highest salary is paid for the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) skill, which is around 75% above the average salary. The skills which are paid above average include Aeros (Rs 824,242), Technical Analysis (Rs 950,000), and System Engineering (Rs 800,000).

The skills which are paid below average are Engineering Design (750,297) and Avionics (660,000). The highest-paid jobs in the field of an aerospace engineer are in New Delhi, where they earn around 56.2% more than the national average.

Top Recruiters 

Aerospace engineers were earlier dominated only by the Government organization, but with the entry of private companies, opportunities have increased a lot.

So, here are the few organizations who recruit aerospace engineers of every skill –

• Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
• Hindustan Aeronautical Limited (HAL)
• National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL)
• Defense Research And Development Organisation (DRDO)
• Airbus
• Boeing
• Goodrich