What is Aerospace Engineering?

The Aerospace Engineering program at Kennesaw State University provides a robust foundation in engineering, mathematics, and science, preparing students to tackle complex challenges in the design and development of aerospace systems. This comprehensive program emphasizes both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, with early exposure to system design concepts culminating in a yearlong senior capstone design project. This capstone experience involves team-based projects addressing real-world challenges from industry, government, or professional engineering societies, enhancing problem-solving and teamwork abilities.

Aerospace

The program comprises two concentrations. The Aeronautics concentration focuses on machines that operate within Earth’s atmosphere, such as airplanes, helicopters, drones, and wind turbines. It focuses on the principles of aerodynamics, structures, propulsion, controls, and the engineering of systems to enable safe and efficient operation. On the other hand, the Astronautics concentration involves the study and design of vehicles and systems that operate beyond Earth’s atmosphere, including spacecraft, satellites, and space exploration technologies. It encompasses the science of space travel, orbital mechanics, navigation, and communication in space environments.

Students gain firsthand experience using state-of-the-art resources, such as wind tunnels and structural testing facilities, and may participate in projects like designing, building, and testing unmanned aerial vehicles and small spacecraft. Graduates are well equipped for careers in aerospace and related industries, government labs like NASA, Air Force, and further academic pursuits.

Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology

Admission Requirements

None. 

This program does not have specific admission requirements. Only admission to Kennesaw State University is required to declare this major.

Engineering Standing Requirements

Learn more about engineering standing

Degree Concentrations Available

Recommended IMPACTS Courses

M: Students should take MATH 1190 or higher.

T: Students should take MATH 2202 or higher.

T: Students should take two four-hour laboratory sciences in the Natural Sciences. Students should choose PHYS 2211/2211L and PHYS 2212/2212L. Other options are available, please see an advisor for details; however, selection of other options in IMPACTS will lengthen time to graduation.

Not majoring in this? Check out these non-degree options!

 

Sample Classes

  • This course is an introduction to Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering. Technological and historical perspectives are covered at a fundamental level via the study of several topics including the first aeronautical engineers, the atmosphere, aerodynamic concepts, aircraft performance, stability and control, space flight, propulsion, and hypersonic vehicles.
  • This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the fundamentals of orbital mechanics, focusing on two-body motion and conic sections. Students will explore Kepler’s laws, integrals of motion, and the universal variables formulation as they apply to spacecraft orbits. Emphasis is placed on both analytical and numerical methods for predicting orbits, accounting for gravitational, aerodynamic, and other perturbing forces. The course covers specific trajectory types, including ballistic missile trajectories, lunar and planetary orbits, and deep space missions. Additionally, students will learn the fundamentals of perturbation theory, variation of parameters, and Lagrange’s planetary equations, with applications to orbital maneuvers, rendezvous, and space navigation.
  • In this course, students will learn and solve problems related to linearized equations of motion. They will analyze the modes and natural motion of aircrafts and unmanned aircraft systems (UASs).
  • In this course, students will learn and solve problems related to the dynamics of spaceflight: orbits, maneuvers, satellite stability and control, rocket performance, and re-entry. They solve linearized equations of motion in space. They analyze modes and natural motion of spacecraft.