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Aerospace Engineering

Also Known As Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering

Aerospace engineering is the branch of engineering concerned with the design, construction and operation of aircraft and spacecraft, encompassing aeronautical engineering within Earth atmosphere and astronautical engineering beyond it. It matured as a distinct discipline in the first half of the twentieth century, driven first by heavier than air flight and then by rocketry and space exploration. Sir George Cayley, working in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, is credited as the first person to separate the forces of lift and drag that affect any atmospheric flight vehicle, and the compound term aerospace engineering was first defined in 1958 to treat the atmosphere and outer space as a single realm.

Facts
Core Concern
The design and operation of aircraft and spacecraft. 1
Core Principle
Aerospace engineering treats aerodynamics, propulsion, avionics, materials science, structural analysis and manufacturing as one interacting system rather than separate disciplines, because a vehicle that must fly cannot optimize any one of them in isolation. 2
Disputed
Origin Year
1958 1
Aeronautical engineering, a narrower predecessor concerned only with atmospheric flight, dates to the early 1900s; aerospace engineering, unifying atmospheric and space flight, dates to the late 1950s, alongside the founding of NASA in 1958.
Aerospace Engineering
Filter Results60 entries

Ablative Heat Shield

Aerospace Engineering

Aerial Refueling

Aerospace Engineering

Afterburner

Aerospace Engineering

Aileron

Aerospace Engineering

Airship

Aerospace Engineering

Artificial Satellite

Aerospace Engineering

Autogyro

Aerospace Engineering

Autopilot

Aerospace Engineering

Autothrottle

Aerospace Engineering

Cabin Pressurization

Aerospace Engineering

Coanda-1910

Aerospace Engineering

Dean Drive

Aerospace Engineering

Deicing Boot

Aerospace Engineering

Delta Wing

Aerospace Engineering

Ejection Seat

Aerospace Engineering

EmDrive

Aerospace Engineering

Fire arrow

Aerospace Engineering

Flight Data Recorder

Aerospace Engineering

Flight Recorder

Aerospace Engineering

Fly-By-Wire

Aerospace Engineering

Fuel Gauge

Aerospace Engineering

Glass Cockpit

Aerospace Engineering

Glider

Aerospace Engineering

Ground Proximity Warning System

Aerospace Engineering

Hang Glider

Aerospace Engineering

Head-Up Display

Aerospace Engineering

Helicopter

Aerospace Engineering

Hot Air Balloon

Aerospace Engineering

Inertial Navigation System

Aerospace Engineering

Instrument Landing System

Aerospace Engineering

Jetpack

Aerospace Engineering

Kite

Aerospace Engineering

Landing Gear

Aerospace Engineering

Launch Escape System

Aerospace Engineering

Mozhaysky's airplane

Aerospace Engineering

Multiple rocket launcher

Aerospace Engineering

Multistage Rocket

Aerospace Engineering

Ornithopter

Aerospace Engineering

Parachute

Aerospace Engineering

Pulsejet

Aerospace Engineering

Radio Altimeter

Aerospace Engineering

Ramjet

Aerospace Engineering

Reactionless Drive

Aerospace Engineering

Rocket Engine

Aerospace Engineering

Scramjet

Aerospace Engineering

Solid Rocket Booster

Aerospace Engineering

Space Suit

Aerospace Engineering

Speed Brake

Aerospace Engineering

The Airplane

Aerospace Engineering

The Jet Engine

Aerospace Engineering

Thrust Reverser

Aerospace Engineering

Thrust Vectoring

Aerospace Engineering

Traffic Collision Avoidance System

Aerospace Engineering

Turbofan

Aerospace Engineering

Turbojet

Aerospace Engineering

Turboprop

Aerospace Engineering

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

Aerospace Engineering

Variable-Sweep Wing

Aerospace Engineering

Vortex Generator

Aerospace Engineering

Winglet

Aerospace Engineering
Connections

Associated With

Aerogel, Materials

Aerogel insulation is used in spacecraft thermal protection and cryogenic tank insulation, a second field beyond its primary materials-engineering field.

Invented and patented the turbojet engine independently of von Ohain.

Independently invented the turbojet engine used in German aircraft.

Co-built and flew the first powered airplane.

PTFE, Materials
Radar, Inventions
Systems Engineering, Fields

Aircraft and spacecraft programs are among the largest and earliest adopters of formal systems engineering practice.

Titanium, Materials
Titanium Alloy, Materials

Titanium alloy primary-use names aerospace airframes and engine components

Wind Tunnel, Inventions

Field-to-technology association verified live; FROM end owned by fields section

Wind Tunnel Testing, Methods

Field-to-technology association verified live; FROM end owned by fields section

Includes

Source Heat shield (Wikipedia)
Source Aerial refueling - Wikipedia
Source Afterburner (Wikipedia)
Aileron, Inventions
Source Aileron (Wikipedia)
Airship, Inventions
Source Airship (Wikipedia)
Source Alexander Mozhaysky (Wikipedia)
Aluminum, Materials
Source Encyclopaedia BritannicaEncyclopaedia Britannica editors
Source Satellite (Wikipedia)Wikipedia contributors
Autogyro, Inventions
Source Autogyro (Wikipedia)Wikipedia contributors
Autopilot, Inventions
Source Autopilot (Wikipedia)Wikipedia contributors
Source Autothrottle (Wikipedia)
Source Barnes Wallis (Wikipedia)
Source Cabin pressurization - Wikipedia
Source Encyclopaedia BritannicaEncyclopaedia Britannica editors
Source Wikipedia: Charles Stark Draper
Source Coandă-1910 (Wikipedia)
Dean Drive, Inventions
Source Dean drive (Wikipedia)
Source Deicing boot (Wikipedia)
Delta Wing, Inventions
Source Delta wing - Wikipedia
Duralumin, Materials
Source Duralumin (Wikipedia)Wikipedia contributors
Source Ejection Seat (Wikipedia)Wikipedia contributors
Source Elsie MacGill (Wikipedia)
EmDrive, Inventions
Source EmDrive (Wikipedia)
Source Ernst Heinkel (Wikipedia)
Fire arrow, Inventions
Source Fire arrow (Wikipedia)
Source Flight recorder (Wikipedia)
Source Flight recorder (Wikipedia)
Source Fly-by-wire (Wikipedia)
Source A History of TechnologyCharles Singer, E. J. Holmyard, A. R. Hall and Trevor I. Williams, editors
Fuel Gauge, Inventions
Source Fuel gauge (Wikipedia)
Source Glass cockpit (Wikipedia)
Glider, Inventions
Source Glider (aircraft), Wikipedia
Source Ground proximity warning system (Wikipedia)
Source Hang gliding (Wikipedia)
Source A History of TechnologyCharles Singer, E. J. Holmyard, A. R. Hall and Trevor I. Williams, editors
Source Head-up display (Wikipedia)
Helicopter, Inventions
Source Focke-Wulf Fw 61 (Wikipedia)
Source Hot Air Balloon (Wikipedia)Wikipedia contributors
Source Igor Sikorsky (Wikipedia)
Inconel, Materials
Source Inertial navigation system (Wikipedia)
Source Instrument landing system (Wikipedia)
Jetpack, Inventions
Source Jet pack (Wikipedia)
Source Juan de la Cierva (Wikipedia)
Kite, Inventions
Source Kite (Wikipedia)
Source Wikipedia: Dayton-Wright RB-1 Racer
Source Launch escape system (Wikipedia)
Source Mozhaysky's airplane (Wikipedia)
Source Multiple rocket launcher (Wikipedia)
Source Multistage rocket (Wikipedia)
Source Ornithopter - Wikipedia
Source Encyclopaedia BritannicaEncyclopaedia Britannica editors
Parachute, Inventions
Source Parachute (Wikipedia)
Pulsejet, Inventions
Source Pulsejet (Wikipedia)
Source Radar altimeter (Wikipedia)
Ramjet, Inventions
Source Ramjet - Wikipedia
Source Reactionless drive (Wikipedia)
Source Wikipedia: Robert H. Goddard
Source Rocket Engine (Wikipedia)
Scramjet, Inventions
Source Scramjet, Wikipedia
Source Sergei Korolev (Wikipedia)
Source Solid rocket booster (Wikipedia)
Space Suit, Inventions
Source Space suit - Wikipedia
Source Air brake (aeronautics) (Wikipedia)
Source A History of TechnologyCharles Singer, E. J. Holmyard, A. R. Hall and Trevor I. Williams, editors
Source A History of TechnologyCharles Singer, E. J. Holmyard, A. R. Hall and Trevor I. Williams, editors
Source Theodore von Kármán (Wikipedia)
Source Thrust reversal (Wikipedia)
Source Thrust vectoring (Wikipedia)
Titanium, Materials
Source Encyclopaedia BritannicaEncyclopaedia Britannica editors
Source Traffic collision avoidance system (Wikipedia)
Turbofan, Inventions
Source Turbofan, Wikipedia
Turbojet, Inventions
Source Turbojet, Wikipedia
Turboprop, Inventions
Source Turboprop, Wikipedia
Source Unmanned aerial vehicle (Wikipedia)
Source Bell X-5, Wikipedia
Source Vortex generator (Wikipedia)
Source Wikipedia: Wernher von Braun
Source Encyclopaedia BritannicaEncyclopaedia Britannica editors
Source Willy Messerschmitt (Wikipedia)
Winglet, Inventions
Source Wingtip device, Wikipedia
Source Yvonne Brill (Wikipedia)

Open Questions

In the Other Atlases
Sources
1. Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica editors, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.View the Source
2. Aerospace Engineering (Wikipedia)
Wikipedia contributors, Wikimedia Foundation
  • Overview section
    It has two major and overlapping branches: aeronautical engineering and astronautical engineering.
  • Lead section, opening definition of aerospace engineering
    Aerospace engineering is the primary field of engineering concerned with the development of aircraft and spacecraft. It has two major and overlapping branches: aeronautical engineering and astronautical engineering.
  • Lead section, terminology paragraph
    "Aeronautical engineering" was the original term for the field.
  • History section, Cayley paragraph
    Cayley is credited as the first person to separate the forces of lift and drag, which affect any atmospheric flight vehicle.
View the Source
A History of Technology
Charles Singer, E. J. Holmyard, A. R. Hall and Trevor I. Williams, editors, Oxford University Press, 1954
  • Includes: The Airplane
  • Includes: The Jet Engine
  • Includes: Frank Whittle
  • Includes: Hans von Ohain
View the Source
Duralumin (Wikipedia)
Wikipedia contributors, Wikimedia FoundationIncludes: DuraluminView the Source
Barnes Wallis (Wikipedia)
WikipediaIncludes: Barnes Wallis, Categories
Quote, Includes: Barnes Wallis, Categories
English aerospace engineers
View the Source
Elsie MacGill (Wikipedia)
WikipediaIncludes: Elsie MacGill, Lead section
Quote, Includes: Elsie MacGill, Lead section
She was chief aeronautical engineer at Canadian Car and Foundry (CC&F) in Fort William, Ontario during the Second World War.
View the Source
Wikipedia: Charles Stark Draper
Includes: Charles Stark Draper, Categories
Quote, Includes: Charles Stark Draper, Categories
American aerospace engineers
View the Source
Wikipedia: Wernher von Braun
Includes: Wernher von Braun, Lead section
Quote, Includes: Wernher von Braun, Lead section
Wernher Magnus Maximilian Freiherr von Braun (US: VUR-nər von BROWN; German: [ˈvɛʁnheːɐ̯ fɔn ˈbʁaʊn]; 23 March 1912-16 June 1977) was a German American aerospace engineer and space architect.
View the Source
Wikipedia: Robert H. Goddard
Includes: Robert Goddard, Categories
Quote, Includes: Robert Goddard, Categories
American aerospace engineers
View the Source
Igor Sikorsky (Wikipedia)
Includes: Igor Sikorsky, Categories
Quote, Includes: Igor Sikorsky, Categories
American aerospace engineers
View the Source
Theodore von Kármán (Wikipedia)
Includes: Theodore von Karman, Lead section
Quote, Includes: Theodore von Karman, Lead section
Theodore von Kármán (Hungarian: (szőllőskislaki) Kármán Tódor [(søːløːʃkiʃlɒki) ˈkaːrmaːn ˈtoːdor], May 11, 1881, May 6, 1963) was a Hungarian-American mathematician, aerospace engineer, and physicist who worked in aeronautics and astronautics.
View the Source
Alexander Mozhaysky (Wikipedia)
Includes: Alexander Mozhaysky, Categories
Quote, Includes: Alexander Mozhaysky, Categories
Russian aerospace engineers
View the Source
Willy Messerschmitt (Wikipedia)
Includes: Willy Messerschmitt, Categories
Quote, Includes: Willy Messerschmitt, Categories
German aerospace engineers
View the Source
Ernst Heinkel (Wikipedia)
Includes: Ernst Heinkel, Categories
Quote, Includes: Ernst Heinkel, Categories
German aerospace engineers
View the Source
Sergei Korolev (Wikipedia)
Includes: Sergei Korolev, Categories
Quote, Includes: Sergei Korolev, Categories
Russian aerospace engineers
View the Source
Kite (Wikipedia)
WikipediaIncludes: Kite, Categories
Quote, Includes: Kite, Categories
Aircraft configurations
View the Source
Autopilot (Wikipedia)
Wikipedia contributors, Wikimedia FoundationIncludes: Autopilot, Categories
Quote, Includes: Autopilot, Categories
Aircraft instruments
View the Source
Autogyro (Wikipedia)
Wikipedia contributors, Wikimedia FoundationIncludes: Autogyro, Categories
Quote, Includes: Autogyro, Categories
Aircraft configurations
View the Source
Unmanned aerial vehicle (Wikipedia)
Includes: Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, Categories
Quote, Includes: Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, Categories
Avionics
View the Source
Fly-by-wire (Wikipedia)
Includes: Fly-By-Wire, Categories
Quote, Includes: Fly-By-Wire, Categories
Aircraft controls
View the Source
Turbofan, Wikipedia
Includes: Turbofan, Categories
Quote, Includes: Turbofan, Categories
Jet engines
View the Source
Turboprop, Wikipedia
Includes: Turboprop, Categories
Quote, Includes: Turboprop, Categories
Aircraft engines
View the Source
Scramjet, Wikipedia
Includes: Scramjet, Categories
Quote, Includes: Scramjet, Categories
Aircraft engines
View the Source
Space suit - Wikipedia
Includes: Space Suit, Categories
Quote, Includes: Space Suit, Categories
Spacecraft components
View the Source
Ornithopter - Wikipedia
Includes: Ornithopter, Categories
Quote, Includes: Ornithopter, Categories
Aircraft configurations
View the Source
Cabin pressurization - Wikipedia
Includes: Cabin Pressurization, Categories
Quote, Includes: Cabin Pressurization, Categories
Aerospace engineering
View the Source
Ramjet - Wikipedia
Includes: Ramjet, Categories
Quote, Includes: Ramjet, Categories
Jet engines
View the Source
Turbojet, Wikipedia
Includes: Turbojet, Categories
Quote, Includes: Turbojet, Categories
Jet engines
View the Source
Afterburner (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationIncludes: Afterburner, Categories
Quote, Includes: Afterburner, Categories
Jet engines
View the Source
Wingtip device, Wikipedia
Includes: Winglet, Categories
Quote, Includes: Winglet, Categories
Aircraft configurations
View the Source
Aileron (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationIncludes: Aileron, Categories
Quote, Includes: Aileron, Categories
Aircraft controls
View the Source
Heat shield (Wikipedia)
Includes: Ablative Heat Shield, Categories
Quote, Includes: Ablative Heat Shield, Categories
Aerospace engineering
View the Source
Inertial navigation system (Wikipedia)
Includes: Inertial Navigation System, Categories
Quote, Includes: Inertial Navigation System, Categories
Aerospace engineering
View the Source
Launch escape system (Wikipedia)
Includes: Launch Escape System, Categories
Quote, Includes: Launch Escape System, Categories
Spacecraft components
View the Source
Pulsejet (Wikipedia)
Includes: Pulsejet, Categories
Quote, Includes: Pulsejet, Categories
Aircraft engines
View the Source
Thrust vectoring (Wikipedia)
Includes: Thrust Vectoring, Categories
Quote, Includes: Thrust Vectoring, Categories
Jet engines
View the Source
Instrument landing system (Wikipedia)
Includes: Instrument Landing System, Categories
Quote, Includes: Instrument Landing System, Categories
Avionics
View the Source
Traffic collision avoidance system (Wikipedia)
Includes: Traffic Collision Avoidance System, Categories
Quote, Includes: Traffic Collision Avoidance System, Categories
Avionics
View the Source
Ground proximity warning system (Wikipedia)
Includes: Ground Proximity Warning System, Categories
Quote, Includes: Ground Proximity Warning System, Categories
Avionics
View the Source
Autothrottle (Wikipedia)
Includes: Autothrottle, Categories
Quote, Includes: Autothrottle, Categories
Aircraft controls
View the Source
Head-up display (Wikipedia)
Includes: Head-Up Display, Categories
Quote, Includes: Head-Up Display, Categories
Aircraft instruments
View the Source
EmDrive (Wikipedia)
Includes: EmDrive, Categories
Quote, Includes: EmDrive, Categories
Spacecraft propulsion
View the Source
Dean drive (Wikipedia)
Includes: Dean Drive, Categories
Quote, Includes: Dean Drive, Categories
Spacecraft propulsion
View the Source
Hang gliding (Wikipedia)
Includes: Hang Glider, Categories
Quote, Includes: Hang Glider, Categories
Aircraft configurations
View the Source
Jet pack (Wikipedia)
Includes: Jetpack, Categories
Quote, Includes: Jetpack, Categories
Aircraft configurations
View the Source
Rocket Engine (Wikipedia)
WikipediaIncludes: Rocket Engine, Categories
Quote, Includes: Rocket Engine, Categories
Aerospace technologies
View the Source
Hot Air Balloon (Wikipedia)
Wikipedia contributors, Wikimedia FoundationIncludes: Hot Air Balloon, Categories
Quote, Includes: Hot Air Balloon, Categories
Airship technology
View the Source
Satellite (Wikipedia)
Wikipedia contributors, Wikimedia FoundationIncludes: Artificial Satellite, Categories
Quote, Includes: Artificial Satellite, Categories
Spacecraft
View the Source
Ejection Seat (Wikipedia)
Wikipedia contributors, Wikimedia FoundationIncludes: Ejection Seat, Categories
Quote, Includes: Ejection Seat, Categories
Aircraft emergency systems
View the Source
Focke-Wulf Fw 61 (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationIncludes: Helicopter, Categories
Quote, Includes: Helicopter, Categories
1930s German experimental aircraft
View the Source
Glider (aircraft), Wikipedia
Includes: Glider, Categories
Quote, Includes: Glider, Categories
Aircraft by type
View the Source
Airship (Wikipedia)
WikipediaIncludes: Airship, Categories
Quote, Includes: Airship, Categories
Aeronautics
View the Source
Delta wing - Wikipedia
Includes: Delta Wing, Categories
Quote, Includes: Delta Wing, Categories
Aircraft wing design
View the Source
Bell X-5, Wikipedia
Includes: Variable-Sweep Wing, Categories
Quote, Includes: Variable-Sweep Wing, Categories
1950s United States experimental aircraft
View the Source
Wikipedia: Dayton-Wright RB-1 Racer
Includes: Landing Gear, Categories
Quote, Includes: Landing Gear, Categories
1920s United States sport aircraft
View the Source
Solid rocket booster (Wikipedia)
Includes: Solid Rocket Booster, Categories
Quote, Includes: Solid Rocket Booster, Categories
Boosters (rocketry)
View the Source
Coandă-1910 (Wikipedia)
Includes: Coanda-1910, Categories
Quote, Includes: Coanda-1910, Categories
1910s French experimental aircraft
View the Source
Mozhaysky's airplane (Wikipedia)
Includes: Mozhaysky's airplane, Categories
Quote, Includes: Mozhaysky's airplane, Categories
Aviation history of Russia
View the Source
Multiple rocket launcher (Wikipedia)
Includes: Multiple rocket launcher, Categories
Quote, Includes: Multiple rocket launcher, Categories
Multiple rocket launchers
View the Source
Fire arrow (Wikipedia)
Includes: Fire arrow, Categories
Quote, Includes: Fire arrow, Categories
Early rocketry
View the Source
Juan de la Cierva (Wikipedia)
Includes: Juan de la Cierva, Lead section
Quote, Includes: Juan de la Cierva, Lead section
Juan de la Cierva y Codorníu, 1st Count of la Cierva ([ˈxwan de la ˈθjeɾβaj koðoɾˈni.u]; 21 September 1895-9 December 1936), was a Spanish civil engineer, pilot and a self-taught aeronautical engineer.
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Yvonne Brill (Wikipedia)
WikipediaIncludes: Yvonne Brill, Lead section
Quote, Includes: Yvonne Brill, Lead section
Yvonne Madelaine Brill (née Claeys; December 30, 1924, March 27, 2013) was a Canadian American rocket and jet propulsion engineer.
View the Source
Parachute (Wikipedia)
WikipediaIncludes: Parachute, Lead section
Quote, Includes: Parachute, Lead section
It is primarily used to safely support people exiting aircraft at height, but also serves various purposes like slowing cargo, aiding in space capsule recovery on Earth, landing spacecraft on other planets, and stabilizing vehicles or objects.
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Flight recorder (Wikipedia)
  • Includes: Flight Data Recorder, Lead section
    A flight recorder is an electronic recording device placed in an aircraft for the purpose of facilitating the investigation of aviation accidents and incidents.
  • Includes: Flight Recorder, Lead section
    A flight recorder is an electronic recording device placed in an aircraft for the purpose of facilitating the investigation of aviation accidents and incidents.
View the Source
Aerial refueling - Wikipedia
Includes: Aerial Refueling, Lead section
Quote, Includes: Aerial Refueling, Lead section
Aerial refueling, also referred to as air refueling, in-flight refueling (IFR), air-to-air refueling (AAR), and tanking, is the process of transferring aviation fuel from one aircraft (the tanker) to another (the receiver) while both aircraft are in flight.
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Thrust reversal (Wikipedia)
Includes: Thrust Reverser, Lead section
Quote, Includes: Thrust Reverser, Lead section
Thrust reversal, also called reverse thrust, is an operating mode for jet engines equipped with a thrust reverser when thrust is directed forwards for slowing an aircraft after landing.
View the Source
Multistage rocket (Wikipedia)
Includes: Multistage Rocket, Lead section
Quote, Includes: Multistage Rocket, Lead section
A multistage rocket or step rocket is a launch vehicle that uses two or more rocket stages, each of which contains its own engines and propellant.
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Radar altimeter (Wikipedia)
Includes: Radio Altimeter, Lead section
Quote, Includes: Radio Altimeter, Lead section
A radar altimeter (RA), also called a radio altimeter (RALT), electronic altimeter, reflection altimeter, or low-range radio altimeter (LRRA), measures altitude above the terrain presently beneath an aircraft or spacecraft by timing how long it takes a beam of radio waves to travel to ground, reflect, and return to the craft.
View the Source
Vortex generator (Wikipedia)
Includes: Vortex Generator, Lead section
Quote, Includes: Vortex Generator, Lead section
A vortex generator (VG) is an aerodynamic device, consisting of a small vane usually attached to a lifting surface (or airfoil, such as an aircraft wing) or a rotor blade of a wind turbine.
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Air brake (aeronautics) (Wikipedia)
Includes: Speed Brake, Lead section
Quote, Includes: Speed Brake, Lead section
In aeronautics, air brakes, or speed brakes, are a type of flight control surface used on an aircraft to increase the drag on the aircraft.
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Deicing boot (Wikipedia)
Includes: Deicing Boot, Lead section
Quote, Includes: Deicing Boot, Lead section
A deicing boot is a type of ice protection system installed on aircraft surfaces to permit a mechanical deicing in flight.
View the Source
Glass cockpit (Wikipedia)
Includes: Glass Cockpit, Lead section
Quote, Includes: Glass Cockpit, Lead section
A glass cockpit is a cockpit, as used in aircraft and spacecraft, that features an array of electronic (digital) flight instrument displays, typically large LCD screens, rather than traditional analog dials and gauges.
View the Source
Reactionless drive (Wikipedia)
Includes: Reactionless Drive, Lead section
Quote, Includes: Reactionless Drive, Lead section
Reactionless drive refers to hypothetical and unproven forms of spacecraft propulsion that would generate thrust without the expelling of propellant or otherwise exchanging momentum.
View the Source
Fuel gauge (Wikipedia)
Includes: Fuel Gauge, Lead section
Quote, Includes: Fuel Gauge, Lead section
In automotive and aerospace engineering, a fuel gauge is an instrument used to indicate the amount of fuel in a fuel tank.
View the Source
Open Questions (1 open question)
Did Gustave Whitehead achieve powered, controlled flight near Bridgeport, Connecticut in 1901-1902, before the Wright brothers' 1903 flights at Kitty Hawk?

Wikipedia's Gustave Whitehead article states "controversy surrounds published accounts and Whitehead's own claims that he flew a powered machine successfully several times in 1901 and 1902, predating the first flights by the Wright brothers in 1903." Connecticut's legislature officially recognized Whitehead as "Father of Connecticut Aviation" in 1968; North Carolina's General Assembly passed a 1985 resolution giving the claim "no credence." Mainstream aviation historians side with the Wright brothers, but the dispute remains live enough to have produced competing state resolutions decades apart.

What would resolve this Physical evidence (a surviving aircraft, verifiable photograph, or independently corroborated eyewitness record) of a genuinely powered, controlled 1901-1902 Whitehead flight, which mainstream aviation historians say does not exist.
Wikipedia contributors, Gustave Whitehead (Wikipedia)
Frequently Asked Questions

Why is aerospace engineering sometimes called rocket science, and how did its name change over time?

Aeronautical engineering was the field's original name, covering aircraft alone. As flight technology extended into outer space, the broader term aerospace engineering came into use to cover both the aeronautical and astronautical branches; the astronautics side in particular is often called rocket science in everyday speech.
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