Hi! I would like to know what the difference is between aeronautical & aerospace engineering?

I want to become a pilot, though I have an idea of working for NASA. I'm not sure if I'll go for NASA, but is it fine if I pursue Aerospace engg. %26amp; only become a pilot? I'll obtain a flying license, etc. though.


I also want to know if this is the only difference. Aerospace Engineering is the science and engineering of flying vehicles operating within and outside of the earth鈥檚 atmosphere while Aeronautical engineering is the science and engineering of flying vehicles operating within the Earth鈥檚 atmosphere only like aircrafts.|||Well, to set you straight on the definition, you are right that aeronautical engineering is purely aviation, and does not include spacecraft in any way, but aerospace engineering is not just spacecraft, it encompasses everything to do with aircraft, missiles, aerodynamics, and advanced materials. aeronautics is more centred with actual aviation, for example civil aircraft, ATC (Air Traffic Control) technology, and crash investigation, where aerospace is more centred on design.





if you're looking to become a pilot, i would say that either degree is equally acceptable, and you stand a good chance of becoming one if you obtain one of these. however, NASA is a different matter! to work for NASA, you do need experience, as you might imagine, NASA gets applications from all over the world for engineers, and is seen as a desirable place to work. on the contrary, i know people who have worked for NASA, and they say the pay is low, job satisfaction is lower, and anyone ive ever spoken to about working there as an aerospace engineer says that you're better off working for a company that's not got a limited budget as regards research and development. not only that, but most of the big contracts from NASA get built by outside companies, for example, NASA's new manned spacecraft is currently being built by Lockheed Martin, not NASA.





whatever you do decide to do, Good Luck!|||i think one has to do with planes and the other has to do with like space ships.


man i so wanted to follow your path but my school didn't offer that program and no one was really helped me or inform me about my options and why i should go to and what school i should pick.


so i ended up doing something else for the time being but i still want to become a pilot and i hear the cool thing is you dont need any specific degree to be one.


good luck i hope you follow and accomplish your dream.|||NASA's remit is both the aero AND space field so unless you want to work on space vehicles in particular then aeronautical engineering is fine. As for becoming a pilot, it is not absolutely necessary for you to have aerospace engineering qualifications although they do obviously show a strong interest in the subject. If you enjoy maths and physics though, go for it. I studied Aerospace Engineering at university and myself and my friends have gone in many different directions, several are pilots but a lot of us work in aircraft design, oil %26amp; gas, nuclear, defence, automotive, rail and general business industries. Get an engineering degree and you can do anything