Masters in Aerospace Engineering

The best programs for Master’s in Aerospace Engineering are known for the wide scope of their course structure. The following specializations in Master degree in Aerospace Engineering are projected to retain their demand in the skill-market.

Aeronautics and Astronautics

It is the broadest specialization. The program focuses on the structural, aerodynamic, guidance and control, and propulsion problems of aircraft and spacecraft. It is also concerned with designing, manufacturing and operations of complex aerospace systems and vehicles. It is known for its immense interdisciplinary character.
Program Components: Aircraft Design, Computational Aerosciences and Aerospace Control Systems are some of the key themes of this specialization.
Road Ahead: The main job profiles include Aerospace Engineer; Aeronautical Engineer; Program Manager Aviation / Aerospace.

Atmospheric and Space Science Engineering / Space Engineering / Applied Climate Engineering

It is mainly involved with the study of atmospheric phenomena, such as weather and their impact on astronautics including propulsion.
Program Components: Rocket Science, Climate Physics, Space Weather, Atmospheric Thermodynamics and Geophysical Fluid Dynamics, etc. are some of the key courses.
Road Ahead: Graduates get job opportunities as Astrophysicists, Climate Scientists, Climatologists, Aircraft and Spacecraft Testers, etc.

Space Systems Engineering

This field is a confluence of astronautics and space engineering. It is the study of subsystems involved in a space mission.
Program Components: Main courses include Satellite Communication, Spacecraft Attitude, Radiation Effects, Orbital Mechanics, etc.
Road Ahead: Space Systems Engineers work as Space Systems Electronics Inspector, Space and Weapons System Engineer and Space System Analyst etc.

Aeroacoustics

It deals with the study of sound generated and propagated during high speed flows involving spacecrafts and aeronautical objects.
Program Components: Gas Dynamics, Time Series Analysis, Viscous Flow, Turbulence, Flow Noise, and Hydrodynamic Stability are some of the key courses.
Road Ahead: Aeroacoustic experts may find jobs as Acoustic Susceptibility Engineers Aerodynamics Engineers and Wind Tunnel Test Engineers.
 
Leading departments regularly update Masters in Aerospace Engineering courses to tune them to the needs of industry and governments. Shifts in the trends of aerospace research are dictated by the most pressing challenges impeding the breakthroughs in aerospace science. This is the reason that a greater emphasis on research is being paid in MS in Aerospace Engineering programs.

Global Rank

Aerospace Engineer

It is one of the major yet an in-demand and lucrative job profile currently. Aerospace Engineers design, develop, test and ensure the upkeep of aeronautical and astronautical products. They may also work on plans of fabricating and modifying aircrafts and spacecrafts (and their components). A chief feature of their job is model testing, wherein they test the models of aerospace equipment for their environmental feasibility and operational accuracy. This can involve developing programs, conducting stress test, aeroacoustic and avionic tests etc. Minimizing production costs and meeting the quality standards or even bettering them is one of the chief challenges of their job in a highly competitive market. Selecting and testing the right materials for manufacturing of aerospace products is another skill expected from them.

Aerospace Systems Engineer

Aerospace Systems Engineers are expected to be adept in handling large aerospace programs. Designing and developing programs according to the needs of the aerospace projects, experimentation and aerospace missions is another chief responsibility. In a certain regard, aerospace systems engineers take over where aerospace engineers leave. They not only work on modifying the aerospace products according to the larger system, but also ensure that the sum is greater (and better) than its parts. They may work on improving the performance of aerospace products such as uninhabited air vehicles, satellite systems, weapon systems, missiles and rockets. The industry demands advanced skills in mathematics and computer programming from aerospace systems engineers. Often their role is one of team-leaders, so they are expected to have both the breadth and depth of knowledge of various aspects of aerospace science. Only the universities that offer ample options for latest i.e. best course for masters in aerospace engineering are able to train promising systems engineers.

Propulsion Engineer

Propulsion Engineers are concerned with propulsion systems of aircrafts, spacecrafts and missiles. They have to design, build, test, maintain and modify propulsion systems. Their job also involves the creation of assessment models to check the performance of a propulsion system within the overall aerospace system. They usually work in tandem with aerospace engineers and mechanical engineers. The chief focus of propulsion engineers is motors, engines and compressors. They work on bettering the performance of these parts so that propellant systems, pumps, engines, control systems and pressurization tanks can fit into the overall design of the vehicle. With a rapid advancement in the manufacturing technology, propulsion engineers are expected to work skillfully with the designs on computers even though manual drawings often become a necessity.

Project Engineer

Aerospace Project Engineers have to plan, coordinate and ensure the execution of aerospace projects for companies, governments or military. They have to ensure that all components of an aerospace system including vehicles, communication equipment, machinery and aviation systems are organized properly for efficient functioning. Their job is one of both a technical expert as well as a manager. When it comes to aerospace manufacturing projects, their work becomes even more crucial as they not only have to build the vehicles, components and systems from scratch but also assign and assist the aerospace experts of various departments. Taking care of the strict safety rules is also their responsibility.

Test Engineer

Aerospace Test Engineer has to plan, execute, report systems for flight control. Quality of flight tests is instrumental in the success of aerospace projects and they are the duty of a test engineer. The job of test engineers involves determining the conditions required for flight tests, list the safety guidelines and make evaluation reports. These details go into making the published test plans. They have to communicate with flight and ground crews and look after telemetry monitoring of various parameters. They have to work in coordination with the flight control design specialists to find solutions to the issues that surface in flight tests. Excellent knowledge of flight control software and hardware is expected of them.

The story of Elon Musk’s Tesla Motors in well-known. It is a pointer to the massive changes that the aerospace industry has undergone over the past few decades. There were times when aerospace experts could find jobs mostly in the government and military but things have changed. Private aerospace players are increasingly becoming the norm and an increasing number of governments are depending on them for the supply of their civilian and military aerospace equipment. These trends will multiply the jobs for aerospace engineers in the coming years. Besides, aerospace science is crucial for the development of the telecommunication industry as well since their future depends on much more efficient satellite systems. It would not be an exaggeration to say that promising aerospace engineers not only have to make the correct choice about the university they choose to study at, but also ensure that they choose the right mix from the list of master degree courses in Aerospace Engineering. That would ensure that they get higher Masters in Aerospace Engineering salary for their talents because sometimes even the sky is not the limit, the limits are far beyond.