Who doesn’t want to build large spacecraft, spaceships, or rockets? Many students in India aspire to be aeronautical or aerospace engineers. However, due to a lack of understanding, individuals end up making incorrect selections or doing something else. They are unsure of the parallels and differences between aerospace and aeronautical engineering.
Both aerospace and aeronautical engineering include the design of aircraft, aeroplanes, missiles, and other vehicles, but there are some differences. It is our responsibility as educators or career counsellors to guide those students and help them choose the right career path.
Let us take advantage of this opportunity to learn about aerospace engineering and aeronautical engineering and how they differ.
What is Aerospace Engineering?
The principal field of engineering is aerospace engineering. The topic focuses primarily on the design, development, testing, and manufacturing of aeroplanes, spacecraft, and related systems and equipment. The field is primarily concerned with atmospheric and space flight. It is divided into two parts: aeronautical engineering and astronautical engineering.
Aerospace engineering students study to design aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles. When these students graduate, they develop aircraft components and parts such as engines, airframes, wings, landing gear, control systems, and instrumentation.
What is Aeronautical Engineering?
Aeronautical engineering students learn about aircraft design, production, and operation procedures. This course prepares future engineers to design, build, and test commercial and military aeroplanes, spacecraft, and missiles. Students will learn how to conduct research, design, and manufacture aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles. They will also study how to create new technology in commercial aviation, defence, and space exploration. Aeronautical Engineering students learn about aerodynamics, flight mechanics, and stability and control.
Aerospace vs Aeronautical Engineering – Which is Better?
Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering are both superior fields, if not the best, options for those interested in studying aeroplanes. Students who wish to work in the aircraft building sector should study aerospace engineering, whereas those who want to work in the space industry should study aeronautical engineering. After completing a B-Tech in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering, students can pick an aeronautical specialization.
Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering both provide courses related to the study of aircraft design. Aerospace engineering is concerned with both aeroplanes and spacecraft, both inside and outside the atmosphere. However, Aeronautical Engineering focuses on aeroplanes within the earth’s atmosphere. Both are excellent curricula; but, employment chances in aeronautical engineering are greater.
Difference Between Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering
The key difference between aeronautical and aerospace engineering is “Aeronautical Engineering is the study of aircraft operating within the earth’s atmosphere while Aerospace Engineering is the study of aircraft operating within & out of the earth’s atmosphere”.
In other words, aeronautical engineering is a specialization within aerospace engineering. Apart from this major difference, these two professions have some other distinctions also. Let’s go through them one by one for a better understanding:
| Features | Aerospace Engineering | Aeronautical Engineering |
| Scope in India | India is on its path to becoming the world’s third-largest civil aviation market. It has a budget for the aerospace sector of more than 1.5 billion dollars. The country has a record for launching the most satellites in a single operation, and its major space agency, the ISRO, is ranked fifth in the world. As a result, it is apparent that there are several prospects for aerospace engineers in India. | As previously stated, India will soon become the world’s third-largest civil aviation market. With over 131 million passengers passing through its airspace, our country requires experienced and skilled aeronautical engineers to expand its aviation sector. This suggests that the scope of aviation engineering will expand in the next few years. As a result, students can confidently pursue this profession in order to have a successful career. |
| Scope Abroad | When it comes to the scope of aerospace engineering abroad, there are several prospects in nations such as the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and others. Every year, these overseas countries welcome and hire a large number of Indian aerospace experts. You might be shocked to learn that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA (US Federal Government Agency), employs a significant number of Indian engineers.
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As India is still in its early stages of growth, opportunities in the core profile are better abroad. They have a number of space centres equipped with cutting-edge technology. They provide cutting-edge methods for studying and working. That is why the breadth of aeronautical engineering is greater in other countries.
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| Job Profiles | ● Designing, manufacturing, and testing aircraft & aerospace products.
● Checking the technical and financial feasibility of any project. ● Checking safety measurements of proposed projects. ● Developing design methods, quality standards, sustainability, and more.
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● Designing, creating, and testing aircraft, missiles, airplanes, etc.
● Developing advanced techniques and technologies for supersonic jets, satellites, space shuttles, etc. ● Improving air traveling safety ● Addressing the environmental impact of air travel while developing aircraft. ● Assisting in investigating aircraft accidents and project management, and more.
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| Top Recruiters | ● Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)
● National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA ● Civil Aviation Department ● Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ● Boeing ● Defense Research and Development Laboratories (DRDO) ● Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) ● Naval Air Warfare Center (NAWC)
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● Defense Research and Development Laboratories (DRDO)
● Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) ● Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) ● National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) ● Indigo Airways ● Air India ● Indian Airlines ● Jet Airways
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| Salary | Average salary of freshers falls between 6-12 Lakhs Per Annum (LPA). | The average salary of freshers falls between 5-11 Lakhs Per Annum (LPA). |
Final words
Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering are both excellent fields and you should select a branch based on the career path you intend to pursue. If you wish to work in the aircraft manufacturing sector, aerospace engineering is the subject for you. However, if you want to work in the space industry, aeronautical engineering is the field for you. After completing a B.Tech in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering, you can pursue an aeronautical specialization.
If you choose these engineering disciplines, make sure you get into top institutions in order to get a job for a stable and fruitful future. Therefore, visit the ACS College of Engineering and book your seat for pursuing the course of your choice.