Aerospace vs Aeronautical engineering. What?

[machineman9]

Right I am a little confused. As I am putting in A-level applications very soon I figured I would check up on university courses... Obviously it would help to pick something now which will help me later.

I am on the UCAS website and it has presented me with courses on aerospace engineering, and aeronautical engineering.


I am just wondering what the difference is. Wiki seemed to say that they are about the same thing. I am not certain what I want to do, engineering based... Obviously something to do with things that fly (I use that phrase quite lightly) as I wouldn't mind working with developing weapons, or aircraft or anything like that.


Can you offer me some help?


Cheers

[beaky]

The only distinction in my mind is that "aerospace" implies spacecraft and missiles or rockets, whereas "aeronautical" implies only stuff that flies strictly with wings. But I could be wrong... it's a very good question.

[Brando14100]

The only distinction in my mind is that "aerospace" implies spacecraft and missiles or rockets, whereas "aeronautical" implies only stuff that flies strictly with wings. But I could be wrong... it's a very good question.

I do not believe that's entirely it. I can't tell you the exact difference. They are very similar though.

8-)

[Hagar]

I've always considered "aerospace" to be a trendy new word for aviation. For example; The national trade organisation for the British aviation industry is known as the SBAC. From 1916 when it was formed until a few years ago this acronym stood for the Society of British Aircraft Constructors. The name was changed in 1964 to the Society of British Aerospace Companies. Officially this was "to reflect the large number of members involved in the design and manufacture of equipment and not just in aircraft and engine manufacture".

[machineman9]

So is aerospace more a 'general' thing with aeronautics being more aimed at winged beings?


If so, would aerospace still cover me for this 'aeronautical' stuff? Are they near enough the same, but with slightly different specialities?

[Hagar]

I think your best bet would be to ask your teachers or the universities offering these courses.

Northbrook College at Shoreham Airport has various Aircraft Engineering courses available. http://www.northbrook.ac.uk/browse/fe/aero/

[machineman9]

Yeh I will try and contact some places soon... Obiovusly at 1am not many people are gonna be around to answer the phone hehe.

One of our technology teachers, or probably my physics teacher will have some knowledge of this I reckon. If not, then connexions might be able to help.

[elite marksman]

At the one school I visited that offered both, the aerospace program dealt primarily with engineering for space and extra-terrestrial applications, such as spacecraft, satellites, and lunar habitats. The aeronautial part was all things dealing with atmospheric flight, including fixed-wing, rotary, and to a lesser extent, as it was a civilian institution, missiles.

Each institution may have different definitions, just as some differentiate between electrical and electronics engineering.

[homebrewer]

Chase after a mechanical engineering degree. I was told thirty years ago when I wanted to be an aeronautical engineer that aero and mech were pretty much the same thing...

[C]

Right I am a little confused. As I am putting in A-level applications very soon I figured I would check up on university courses... Obviously it would help to pick something now which will help me later.

I am on the UCAS website and it has presented me with courses on aerospace engineering, and aeronautical engineering.


I am just wondering what the difference is. Wiki seemed to say that they are about the same thing. I am not certain what I want to do, engineering based... Obviously something to do with things that fly (I use that phrase quite lightly) as I wouldn't mind working with developing weapons, or aircraft or anything like that.


Can you offer me some help?


Cheers

The difference. Very little. You'll find for most it's just a different name for the same thing - Aerospace is a bit more "modern". You'll probably find most Aero courses at undergraduate level are at least 50-60% common with standard Mechanical Engineering.

I'd advise an Aero course though. That little bit of aero-related content may we'll keep you interested when the going gets tough.