I am currently studying aerospace engineering in one of the University of applied science in Germany.
I remember I really wanted to be an astronaut when I was a kid. But I was told that I am not fit to be one. So after that, I thought maybe I can be an astronomer. However, not knowing how to be one, I give up on that dream and decide to follow what my mom wants me to be. An engineer. So I was sent to Germany to study engineering and I was free to choose any course of engineering. Therefore I decided to choose aerospace engineering. Of course it takes quite some time to convince my mom to let me study aerospace engineering, a course that is not well known or does not have high job opportunities in my country.
So, let’s have a look at what aerospace engineering is about...
What is aerospace engineering?
Aerospace engineering is like a specialized form of mechanical engineering. Aerospace engineering designs and builds machines that can fly. Aerospace engineering can be divided into aeronautical engineering and astronautical engineering.
Aeronautics engineers focus on designing aircraft that fly within the Earth’s atmosphere such as planes, missiles, helicopters and so on.
Astronautics engineers focus on designing spacecrafts that go into space such as rockets, satellites, international space station and so on.
History of aerospace engineering
The history of aerospace engineering can be traced back to the invention of powered, lighter-than-air craft.
In 1852, Jules Henri Giffard flew the first steerable steam-powered airship.
In 1884, Charles Renard and Arthur Constantin Krebs flew the first powered airship to return to its starting point.
In 1900, Ferdinand von Zeppelin built and flew the first rigid airship.
Experiments involving glider has lead to the invention of airplane.
In 1804, Sir George Cayley expressed the principles of heavier-than-air flight.
In 1856, Jean-Marie Le Bris flew the first manned glider that climbed higher than its launch point.
Many early efforts at powered, heavier-than-air flight were not able to proceed due to the lack of suitable engines. Orville & Wilbur Wright successfully created the first airplane that is able to take off and climb on its own power, fly for a significant distance and make a controlled landing.
The invention of fixed-wing airplanes led to the invention of the first rotary-wing aircraft, such as autogyros and helicopters.
Juan de la Cierva invented the autogyro, a type of aircraft with fixed wings that uses a rotor for lift and a propeller for thrust. This led to the first modern helicopter, which is credited to Igor Sikorsky in 1942.
Whereas the early inventors in rocketry and spacecraft are:
Robert Goddard, who constructed and successfully launched the first liquid-fueled rocket
Wernher von Braun, who developed the first ballistic missile
Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, who is considered as the Russian father of rocketry.
What does an aerospace engineer do?
In general, aerospace engineers design aircraft, spacecraft, satellites and missiles. But besides that, they also test prototypes to make sure that they function according to plans. They also design components and sub assemblies such as engines, airframes, wings, landing gears, control systems and instruments for the craft. Aerospace engineers may also perform or write specifications for destructive and nondestructive testing for strength, functionality, reliability and long-term durability of aircraft and parts.
The Future of Aerospace Engineering
When you think about the future of aerospace engineering, you might think of the spaceships like in
the movie “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets”.
We may think that the future of aerospace will be big and bold steps to take us beyond what we can imagine. It will be. However in my opinion, the real future is about making our journey to our destinations more comfortable and shorter and at the same time, making it less harmful to the planet.
The world has been trying to get us closer to our dream of spending our holiday orbiting the earth or a vacation to Mars. It is true that this is one vision of the future of aerospace, but there are other huge steps in the world or aerospace that are being taken to improve our holidays down here on earth.
The future of aerospace is about protecting our planet and the people that live here. That is why there is a push towards sustainable energy in aerospace industry. Therefore, there has been a push for changes, big and small, from hybrid planes that operates on electric and fuel, to new winglet designs that help increase fuel efficiency.
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Source: https://www.livescience.com/47702-aerospace-engineering.html
Interesting material :)
Continue, please...
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Welcome to Steemit! What say you about the next breakthrough in aerospace-related stuff?
Thank you! :)
As far as I know, aerospace industry is making their way towards hybrid and electric flying cars/planes. There are several companies that are pushing their fully electric aircraft and also hybrid aircraft into production, due to the advancement in battery technology.
For example: Siemens has already demonstrated an electric aircraft; Pipistrel is already getting ready to ship their fully electric light aircraft, ‘Alpha Electro’; Aero Electric is launching their all-electric plane, ‘Sun Flyer’; Lilium has just tested the world’s first fully electric VTOL jet.
For me, this is really a cool idea. We are getting closer to our dreams of having flying cars. And this is even better, since its using electric propulsion. It is quieter and definitely safer for the planet as there is no direct emissions.
However, these electric planes are only able to fly short distance, due to the batteries’ weight.
That is why I think that Airbus’ hybrid plane ‘E-Fan’ is more promising.
waiting for you to invent teleportation ! nice post @vaelriey
Hahaha :D i'll do my best!
Hope your dream of being an astronaut come true. Fellow Malaysian here. Do check out my travel post. Off The Beaten Track: Exploring The Hutongs Of Beijing
Hahaha being an astronaut seems impossible for me now.. but i do wish i get to travel to Mars one day 😂
My idea of aerospace engineering is just like in the star trek movies. I would want to say, 'beam me up!' or 'warp speed ahead'. Hope that happens during my lifetime.
Hahaha that would be cool! 😎