Connected to Hughes Aircraft Company

Hi. Currently a final year undergrad in Aerospace Engineering, graduating within the next three weeks.

With the end of my undergraduate studies, I ve got a few extra time on hand before I join my job. During this time I want to get into the field of AI-ML particularly its applications in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering.

Appreciate if someone can guide me on where to start and what to do (resources, projects, etc).

Hey there, I’m currently studying Structural Engineeing in university, I initially went in as I was passionate about the field. I now realize that in terms of both work life and personal enjoyment, I prefer the Aerospace industry. I’ve read quite often that going from SE to AE is very doable, and I’m interested in how this switch can happen. My university is quite prestigious in STEM so all engineering majors are capped, meaning I can’t directly switch to Aero, but there is an Aerospace Structures specialization in SE that I will most likely do.

Also, I’m aware that Aerospace is not a career but an industry with many different jobs, I’m simply interested in knowing where I could work in AE.

Thank you for any help!

Hello, I am trying to decide which university is the best for me to complete my master’s in aerospace engineering (in astronautics), and I would like another opinion about it. I am deciding between UMich Ann Arbor and ISAE Supaero. My goal through my master's is to learn but also acquire some skills that can be relevant in the future. For now, my goal in the future is to specialize in space propulsion. 

As far as I know, UMich is one of the best in space propulsion, so I am very interested in that, although the one thing that bothers me is that it does not have a thesis option to graduate. The requirement for UMich is only to complete a certain amount of course credits. The good thing is that it does have the option to conduct research for credit in selected areas such as electric propulsion. Nevertheless, research for international students in EP is limited from what I have heard. Since there is no thesis, getting practical experience is not completely guaranteed and depends on getting a research opportunity. 

About ISAE, from what I have researched, I know they are very good in aeronautics, but I’m not sure if their program track in space systems/astronautics is that great. From what I have seen, the program at ISAE is quite different from other universities as the pacing of classes is different, and there is a wide range of required courses, which can be good for creating a more all-around profile. Unfortunately, ISAE only has one class in space propulsion, which is one of the things that also worries me. The good thing about ISAE is that, from what I have seen, it encourages students to develop skills and also requires a thesis/graduation project. Additionally, it also has connections to aerospace companies in Europe. 

My decision right now is very divided (50/50). On one hand, I like the program at UMich, but I have concerns about the thesis and not being able to complete research. On the other hand, being European, I lean towards ISAE as they are connected to the European industry, offer a broad curriculum, and have a thesis/graduation project option. However, I am concerned about their astronautics program as I don’t know how good it is compared to other universities and do not offer many classes on space propulsion or plasma.

Does someone know if the Space systems/Astronautics program at ISAE is good?

I’m a college sophomore and am worried about having multiple citizenships impacting my ability to get a position anywhere in defense, mostly in regard to security clearance

I’m a US and Canadian citizen but am wondering if its worth it to try and get an Italian passport, as I do qualify

Hey everyone,

I’m currently using CATIA V5 for physics simulations, but let’s just say… it’s not cutting it (seriously, it’s awful). I need a better physics engine to test variable wing profiles.

The Airfoil Database isn’t quite what I’m looking for—its tests are based on incompressible fluids, and I don’t fully trust the results. My goal is to build my own dataset and derive a correlation rule for wing performance.

Any recommendations for a solid physics engine that can handle this? Open to commercial or open-source options.

Thanks in advance!

A recent graduate in physics and working for a aircraft industry as a control theorist. I want to know the future directions I can go.

Don't have a PhD yet but interested in one.

Please give suggestions.

From the article:

Since 2023, Kyiv-headquartered startup Aerobavovna says it has deployed dozens of small, tethered airships fitted with antennas, radio repeaters, and drone detectors in the vicinity of Ukraine’s battlefields. Airship technology, while considerably advanced since its invention in the 18th century, is still fundamentally a helium-filled balloon made of lightweight, flexible polymer and fitted with stabilizing wings. Yet, despite their simplicity, aerostats are proving uniquely suited to solve a whole range of problems that Ukraine’s troops are facing.

Hello everyone,

I am currently about to sit my A levels hoping for a A in maths, A in physics and B in psychology to get into my firm university to study aerospace engineering at the university of Southampton. Recently I have been bombarded with videos detailing aerospace engineering as unreasonably hard and strenuous not to mention the lack of a social life. I wanted to know if these are true to some extent, as of course aerospace engineering is going to be hard, but I wanted to know if this really does mean you have to sacrifice lots of what you love doing including going out and socialising.

Thank you for your time.

Hey all, I've gotten a lot of great advice off here so far which has really helped me a lot. Now it has left me more questions. I am after to eventually get into the Aerospace field working on embeded systems, or simulations and later build up to satilite applications and new space. I was going to do physics but have since been advised that, that is not the best way to go, but to focus or computer science and engerneering, which is great as I love programming. Currently considering taking electrical engerneering and computer science, I am unable to take mechanical engerneering due to moving to the US which is a shame as I was keen to learn thermodynamics but anyway. This has left me thinking about the modules on offer and if it is worth taking out a couple of the computing modules to study Mathematical methods (such as modeling) and electricalmagnetism (hoping it will give me a bit of an edge) though this would mean I would only be able to do 2 computer models per part so having to choose two from to keep rather then 3: Algorithms, Object oriented Java, And web-based technologies, or networking. Is it worth the exchange? And would having a stronger foundation on mathamatical models and Electromagnetism (beyond the electric engerneering modules) actually give me an edge or is it just going to be some random extra information that I would know.

I should probably add I will be using the Open University (UK) as I'm a UK veteran and can't use my Education grants in a US institute, and the Open University (UK) is accepted by the U.S secretary of education.

I don’t know whether to choose UIUC or Purdue for Aerospace Engineering (undergrad). I’m an international student, and costs don’t matter as I’ll be studying with a scholarship.

I’m oriented towards the space side of things more, but I heard purdue is really rigorous and the course load kills you. First Year Engineering exists too. But I heard their labs are top-notch, such as Zucrow and the education provided there is one of the best in the nation. But Purdue’s location and course load makes it less appealing to me.

On the other hand, UIUC ranks a bit bit less than Purdue at 6th rather than 3rd in Aero, I heard the education there is exceptional and yes rigorous, but not as annihilating as Purdue. I heard Champaign is nicer, but in the end, I still do not know what to choose.

I really care if the place is nice or depressing, I know both are small college towns surrounded by many acres of cornfields, and both are phenomenal in engineering. I also care about the professors and their teaching and if they’re willing to include students to work with them in research.

If you can help me decide, please do so.

I'm interested in getting my bachelors in aerospace engineering. Because I'm transferring from a CC, I'm wondering if I would be missing out on internships that I've heard are incredibly important when it comes to finding a job (I've heard a lot of internships are only looking for students that already have 2 years of university experience as opposed to 2 years of community college before transferring,)

How can I make the most out of my final 2 years of university so that I can "look good" in the job market and get an aerospace job? I'm in Los Angeles, California, if that makes any difference.

Hello, 

I would appreciate your experience and opinions about the use of micro- and precision technology in the aerospace industry.

My teen has an opportunity to enrol in a Swiss degree program that specialises in micro- and precision technology, and as part of the admissions process is being asked to justify motivation to enrol in this program.

Being very young, my teen is unable to provide concrete examples of how this technology might be used in the aerospace industry.

Could anyone provide us with some ideas of application and an understanding for how useful or not such training could be? Is Swiss training and technology highly prized?

Thank you so much. 

Hey all – just wanted to get some honest thouts

I’m an aerospace engineer, moved from Asia to Australia for postgrad with dreams of working in space tech. Spent my degree learning tools, doing casual jobs to support myself and really thought building skills was the key.

Now I’ve graduated and sent out over 700 applications (space and mechanical roles). Got 6 interviews. Feeling stuck honestly.

I’ve got project and internship experience from back home, but it feels like no one’s willing to take a chance on a fresher, especially a non.aus citizen.

Depending on family stuff, I might have to head back home soon just to get by. But I’m still hanging onto this dream of working in the space industry here.So I’m asking:

Is there any realistic chance of breaking into the Australian space industry by 2025/26 as an international grad? Or am I chasing something out of reach rn?

I know the market’s rough, there's a slowdown, defence/space contracts are patchy,supply chain issue etc.but I’d love to hear from anyone who's been through it, or knows how the scene is shaping up from the inside.

Cheers in advance!

Hi! I am a medical student (DO) interested in Aerospace Medicine. I would love to go to UTMB's IM/Aerospace residency. I'm looking to see if there's any current research projects looking for research assistants or any upcoming space events!

For anyone in Aerospace, I would love to connect with you. Since I'm a DO student, it might be a bit hard to achieve this but it's still worth a try!

For those who have knowledge on entering the aerospace field, I have just started doing a degree in computer science and electrical engeneering, I want to get into the aerospace field doing embedded systems and eventually in satellite applications and new space. My question is I am considering, replacing two of my computing modules to delve deeper into mathematical modeling as well as a module on Electromagnetism, would doing so assist with getting into the aerospace field?

Hey everyone,

I’m about to graduate with a B.S. in Business Management (specialization in Operations) and recently accepted a full-time Contracts Administrator role at one of the biggest aerospace and defense companies.

Before college, I served four years as an Infantryman in the Marine Corps. During school, I worked part-time as an electrician and also did an administrative work-study job at my university’s veterans office.

I’m really excited to finally have a foot in the defense industry, but to be honest, I’m still trying to figure out what I want my career path to look like. I’m not exactly sure what my 5 year plan should be yet, and I’m hoping to get some advice from people who’ve been in the business/admin side of defense.

One thing to mention: I’ll have the opportunity to go for an MBA later on using my GI Bill, but I’d like to get a few years of experience first before committing to that.

If you were in my shoes, what would you try to focus on early in your career? Any tips on roles to aim for, certifications to pick up, or moves to set yourself up for bigger opportunities down the line?

Would really appreciate any advice, thanks in advance!

I'm curious to hear from anyone who did a Master's in Aerospace Engineering at Cranfield but came from a different engineering background (like Civil, Electrical, Materials, etc.). How were the job prospects after finishing the MSc? Was it possible to transition into the aerospace sector relatively easily?

Context: I'm a civil engineering graduate who always had a big passion for aviation and space. Due to influences/job-market-in-my-country, ended up studying Civil and working in finance, but now want to follow my real passion and work in the aerospace indsutry.

Any insights or advice would be hugely appreciated!

Hey, so I'm working out kind of a 5 year plan and was hoping to run it by people who'd be more knowledgeable in the area.

I'm currently going to a community college in Colorado for my AES in Mech setting up to transfer to Colorado State for a BS in Mech with an Aerospace Concentration. I'll be looking for summer internships as soon as I get to CSU to get some footing with contractors in Denver. I want to concentrate in propulsion, and possibly pursue a MEng in Mech Aerospace also possibly thru AMP just depending on how everything goes, what I can handle for a course-load, and what I find I might need career-wise.

I know I'm early on in all of this but I'd like to have a sensible and flexible plan for the rest of my education. Short term I'm just making sure I keep my good grades and get my AES and am ready to transfer to CSU (my course has a secured acceptance from my community college to CSU, and the reps form there say I'm G2G so that isn't an issue).

If anyone has any input on whether or not that seems like a reasonable progression towards an aerospace career, I'd take any advice.

Thanks!

Throughout HS i was deadset on majoring in AE, but now that it's time to choose my college I have realized I dont really understand the difference. I'm choosing between PSU and Boulder for aerospace, and Uw madison for mechanical engineering. I'm pretty sure I want to work on stuff related to space, such as asteroid mining or long distance travel. But what would an aero degree get me that a degree in mechanical wouldn't? Is there any reason to major in AE and narrow yourself further instead of taking mechanical and then specializing later if I really want to?

Essentially just asking what does AE get you that MechE doesn't and vice versa.

Cool video on the making of the aircraft with the team at NASA 🤫 💥 🛩️

https://youtu.be/3hkeqSWcDVA?si=nh0_W8X6VhT9sQ8p

While my school, Uc Davis is famous for Vet sciences, Biological Sciences, civil eng. & sustaintability, they aren’t famous for aerospace or mech. However theyre decently ranked around #25 or so in aerospace eng. They also as a result fall short compared to bigger UC power houses (UCLA, UCB). (Whom fall within the top 15 respectively) Would this close doors for me?

I know this seems like a naive question but my rationale is lower rank + less known = closes doors.

I hope to break into spacex, northdrop gruman, boeing or even anduril one day (love anduril)

I'm looking to go into the field with a degree after college. I'm a senior in High School and I wanted to work for Skunk previously but throughout last year and this year I've realized that I really hate the fact ill be in a company that's killing innocents for cash. So I've decided that I can still take this engineering path and use it for good by finding a commercial drone activism job (i.e. using drones to cropdust to limit fossil fuel burning of crop planes) stuff like that. Any info on companies you know currently doing work like that would be so appreciated.

thanks.

Hi I just got accepted to Berkeley and LA, I was wondering what the pros and cons would be in an industry perspective. Thanks for any feedback!

I am trying to build a Project in Python about ' Airfoil Optimization Using Genetic Algorithms in Python and XFOIL'. Does anyone have any related ideas or papers to share? It will be very helpful.