Aerospace Engineering Schools and Programs in Russia

Aerospace Engineering Studies in Russia

Tupolev TU-160 strategic bomber, SourceAerospace engineering is one of the most important and highly developed branches of engineering worldwide. It continues to grow and advance in many countries, Russia being one of them. Before we get into details regarding where you can study aerospace engineering in Russia, let us make it clear what is really meant by Aerospace Engineering, give you an idea of its history, what these engineers do and even where they work.

Aerospace engineering has to do with the creating and putting together of flight vehicles. This branch of engineering began to formally develop in the 19^th century when the first experimental flights took place. Flight technology progressed and two specialties were defined: aeronautical engineering and astronautical engineering. Aeronautical engineering deals with autogiros, jets, helicopter, gliders and fixed-wing airplanes. These vehicles stay inside of the Earth’s atmosphere. Astronautical engineering, on the other hand, has to do with the design of vehicles which focus flight outside of Earth’s atmosphere, commonly referred to as spacecraft.

Aerospace engineering’s beginnings go back to the late 18^th and early 19^th centuries with the works of George Cayley, an aeronautical engineering pioneer, who was one of the most important people in the history of aeronautics. He was the first person to differentiate the ideas of “lift and drag” which are crucial in flight. Aeronautical engineering was able to begin its early stages of development with the help and ideas from other branches of engineering. These early discoveries enabled the famous Wright brothers to successfully complete the first flights in history. Further developments took place which allowed for the designing of military aircrafts used in the first World War.

Aerospace engineering was first defined in early 1958 and this definition did not differentiate Earth’s atmosphere from outer space. Later this differentiation was made, creating the two branches: aeronautical engineering and astronautical engineering. Two big accomplishments for aerospace engineering were the USSR’s launch of Sputnik, the first satellite in space in late 1957 and then the launching of America’s first satellite in early 1958. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration was founded in 1958 in response to the Cold War. All of these early steps in aerospace engineering were crucial in allowing us to be where we are today in regards to flight inside and outside of the Earth’s atmosphere.

An aerospace engineer’s actual job includes a wide range of responsibilities and duties. Not only do they design aircrafts, space crafts, satellites, and missiles, they must test every vehicle to ensure safety and that they each operate as planned. These engineers can’t leave room for error and must do everything they can to create dependable machines. While building these crafts, engineers design and assemble different parts of the engines, frames, wings, landing gear, control systems, and instruments. It is also very important for aerospace engineers to test their vehicles for long-term dependability and durability, functionality and overall strength of the aircraft or spacecraft and each one of its parts.

You might be wondering now, where aerospace engineers generally work. Most often they spend the majority of their time in a professional office environment, however do take visits to different facilities where they can see manufacturing and testing first hand. They will be called to these sites, especially if there is a unique issue that needs their direct, personal attention. Often times aerospace engineers work for either the federal government or a manufacturing industry, yet the best in their field will sometimes be selected to work at the International Space Station.

So, what does it take to become an aerospace engineer? The majority of businesses hiring this type of engineer require a bachelor’s degree in engineering and may even ask for a certification proving professional engineering. Engineers looking to be promoted should look into obtaining their master’s degree and additional trainings and experience. It is vital for aerospace engineers looking to grow in their career to stay up to date on any new advances in computer software, technology, materials and new government regulations. It is the goal of many aerospace engineers to become part of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Russia is a top choice for studying aerospace engineering. One of the best schools to do so is the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT-Phystech). The Institute is located in Dolgoprudny, Zhukovsky, Moscow and has two Aerospace Engineering departments: The Aerophysics and Space Research Department and Aeromechanic and Flight Engineering Department. Both departments offer undergraduate and graduate programs in Aerophysics, Aeromechanics, Flight Engineering, Space Research and Aerospace Engineering.

Bauman Moscow State Technical University, the Moscow Aviation Institute and the Samara State Aerospace University are also very highly recommended schools in Russia to study aerospace engineering. These schools could be the crucial step you need to achieving your aerospace engineering career goals.