Introduction to Aerospace Engineering

Students will examine the history of aviation and learn about flight in Earth atmosphere and space. Included in the basic survey course are lessons on the physics of flight (can be omitted if students are prepared), the forces of flight and aircraft controls, the lift equation, rocket flight, and satellite orbits. An optional unit on wind tunnel construction and experimentation is under development.

Week 1 Summary: Students are introduced to aviation history and aerospace engineering achievements. Students will assemble a class aviation history timeline from individual student research on people and events.


Week 2 Summary: This week is a review of basic physics and mathematics: Newton Laws, forces, motion, acceleration. Standard physics texts and physics lessons may be used for reference.


Week 3 Summary: Build on the physics of flight to examine forces acting on aircraft, how we generate motion, and how we control flight through the air.


Week 4 Summary: The specialized fields of aerodynamics and fluid mechanics explain how aircraft wings (airfoils) create lift in the atmosphere. Students will use a simulator called FoilSim to understand the variables that affect lift. FoilSim is a free application avaliable for download from the NASA Glen Research Center.


Week 5 Summary: Rockets,thrust, and inserting satellites into orbit. Analyze a typical expendable rocket launch and put a payload into earth orbit.


Week 6 Summary: Introduce types of artificial satellites and how they fly Expose students to the field of orbital mechanics.