What's the difference between aerospace engineering and aeronautical engineering?

Question

what's the difference between aerospace engineering and aeronautical engineering?

because I'm planning to pursue a diploma in that field

Answer 1

Aerospace engineering is the branch of engineering behind the design, construction and science of aircraft and spacecraft. Aerospace engineering has broken into two major branches: aeronautical engineering and astronautical engineering. The former deals with craft that stay within Earth's atmosphere, and the latter deals with craft that operate outside of Earth's atmosphere. While "aeronautical" was the original term, the broader "aerospace" has superseded it in usage, as flight technology advanced to include craft operating in outer space. Aerospace engineering is often informally called rocket science.

Answer 2

There's no difference at all - it's just fashion. The modern name is aerospace engineering, reflecting both aircraft and other areas such as astronautics and missiles. However, the 'old' aeronautical degrees tended to include these anyway. Over the last 20 years, most aeronautical degrees have had the name changed to aerospace. in fact, I don't think there's a single degree programme here in the UK that is still called by the old version of the name/

A major difference, though, is aerospace systems engineering, which tend to focus more on the systems side - treating an aircraft as a set of integrated systems. These frequently include more on the control and electronics (avionics) and less on the mechanically based subjects.

I hope this now answers your question fully.

Answer 3

Some of colleges in India running aeronautical Engg in name of aerospace engg. but in aerospace engg ... there are mixed topics of space technologies & Aeronautics (Means Aeronautics & Astronautics).. in case of aeroanutical engg we study only atmospheric flying objects llike-Aeroplane, helicopter.