All about Aerospace Engineering offered by KIIT

Aerospace Engineering deals with the design and development, manufacturing, repair/ overhauling, testing and validation of aircraft & spacecraft and their products. It involves the study of science and engineering behind the physical properties of rockets, aircrafts and spacecrafts. This domain is basically divided into two specialties: aeronautical engineering, which involves gliders, fixed-wing airplanes and jets and helicopters and astronautical engineering, which deals with spacecraft. In other words, aeronautical engineers are primarily involved in designing aircraft that fly within Earth's atmosphere, while astronautical engineers work with the science and technology of spacecraft that fly outside Earth's atmosphere.

Aerospace engineering requires in-depth knowledge of physics, mathematics, aerodynamics and materials science, which allows engineers to predict the performance and failure conditions of designs. Aerospace engineers mostly rely on computer-aided design (CAD) systems for quick and easy drafting and modification of designs and 3D visualization of finished parts and assemblies. Computer simulations have become essential for performing virtual testing of engines, wings, control surfaces, and even complete aircraft and spacecraft under all possible operating conditions they might encounter.

The core domain subjects covered under aerospace engineering are Aerodynamics, Aerospace Structures, Propulsion, Engines, Rockets, and missile technologies, Spacecraft technologies, Navigation guidance and control systems, Avionics along with basic common courses such as Thermal engineering, Heat transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Solid Mechanics etc.

In India, the discipline of Aerospace Engineering is well positioned for rapid growth in a near future and in this context KIIT-DU has come forward for the potential participation in such growth process not only by offering degree course in aerospace domain under academic curriculum but also actively getting involved in collaborative projects with industries in aerospace and defense sector viz., Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Indian Navy, Bharat Dynamics Limited, Adani Aerospace and Defense, etc.

The Aerospace Discipline of KIIT-Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar is operational under School of Mechanical Engineering with teaching faculty members from reputed academic institutes as well as from industry domain. The department is equipped with adequate facilities of laboratory (Aerodynamics, Propulsion, Aerostructures, Aircraft Systems, Avionics etc.) and various computational facilities involving finite element analysis, computational fluid dynamics, simulation softwares etc. The practical demonstration is carried out for the students to get familiarized with various parts, accessories of aeronautical domain with the help of the aeroengines and aircraft available in the aerospace facility. The students go for summer training in leading aerospace industries and also get the opportunity to go abroad for one semester course in foreign Universities under student exchange program.

After completion of four years of bachelor’s degree course in aerospace engineering, there are numerous opportunities available in India and abroad in both the Government and Private sectors. These include aviation industries, airlines and multinational companies dealing with manufacturing and repair of aircraft and providing engineering solutions. Organisations in India like Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Tata Advanced Systems (TAS) are some of the main recruiters which hire aerospace engineers. Companies such as Infosys, TCS, Cognizant, Capgemini, CYIENT, Quest-Global, Honeywell, Alten, Mahindra Aerospace, L&T Aerospace and Defence etc work on aeronautical engineering solutions to support various multinational companies. The companies like Airbus, Boeing, GKN Aerospace have established their Centre of Excellence in India to utilize Indian human resources for execution of work pertaining to aerospace domain. Many students prefer to go for higher studies in India and overseas location for their future career in teaching, research and development.

If somebody has got the passion for aircraft, spacecraft and always dreamt of flying high in his/her career, then Aerospace Engineering is the perfect fit to be chosen as the platform for the career journey.

About the author

Prof. Mrutyunjay Jena is the Programme Head-Aerospace Engineering at KIIT - Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology.

Note: The views expressed in this article are solely author’s own and do not reflect/represent those of Shiksha