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So...Who Are Engineers?Engineers are people who make things work. The work and ideas of engineers make achievements possible. They put power and materials to work. Engineers have moved America into skyscrapers, high-speed cars, jets, and space vehicles. They make life interesting, comfortable, and fun. Computers, television, and satellites, all depend on engineers. Engineers will design the spacecraft, space stations, and robots of the 21st century. Click here to go to Discover Engineering online and learn about a variety of different kinds of engineers.
What types of engineers are there?Analytical engineers use their knowledge of engineering to analyze data and make conclusions. For example, by using their understanding of aerodynamics and structures, engineers can figure out what makes an airplane or a spacecraft fly the way it does and how to make that airplane or spacecraft safer and stronger. Engineers often specialize in a particular field (such as thermodynamics, aerodynamics, or structures) and work with other experts in teams to solve a problem together. Design Engineers use some of their most creative skills when they determine the size, shape, structure, arrangement, and function of components of vehicles that meet the specifications set by the customer and safety or cost constraints. They also need to keep in mind how the aerodynamics, power requirements and weight will affect overall design. Materials and processes engineers turn a big part of their focus in the design of airplanes and spacecraft to make them weigh as little as possible. Materials engineers study materials, both conventional and composite, for use in airplane structures. Some areas of concern are the strength and rigidity of a material, its availability, its ease of processing, and its resistance to temperature variables and stress. Systems engineers look at the big picture since a vehicle design is a combination of smaller subsystems. They use their overall knowledge of engineering to determine whether all the systems interface with each other correctly. Often they need to check back with the customer to make sure the design being developed is on the right track and meeting specifications. Software engineers design and test the software that controls and instructs the computers that control most systems. They also develop the computer-simulation and data-collecting software used in airplane design. Manufacturing engineers work closely with design engineers to ensure that a design can be manufactured quickly and easily. They plan the tooling, construction, and assembly of vehicle components and determine whether their components still meet necessary requirements throughout the process. Flight research engineers analyze data that comes back from research flights to figure out how well a design performed on an actual flight. From their observations, they can suggest what might need to be changed in future similar designs. They also are involved in the research test flight planning and the preparation of final flight research reports. Field service engineers become vital once a vehicle is manufactured for general use. They provide maintenance and service information to make sure the product is used safely and efficiently. If there's a problem that needs to be resolved with a vehicle's design, field service engineers contact the manufacturing and design engineers. Click here for quotes on engineering! So...Who Are Technicians?Technicians work closely with scientists and engineers to support research. Their skills are used to operate wind tunnels, work in laboratories, construct test equipment, and build models. So...Who Are Scientists?Scientists are knowledge seekers, men and women who are always searching out why things happen. They are inquisitive. This means they are always questioning. They possess a sense of wonder. Nature, Earth, and the universe are what fascinate scientists. The scientist questions, seeks answers, and expands knowledge. Aerospace CareersAstronauts
Engineers
Technicians
Engineering Designers
Physical Scientists
Life Scientists
Social Scientists
Mathematicians
Technical Communicators
Click on any of the links below to learn more about a variety of careers in the aerospace industry. Careers in Aviation and Aerodynamics Biographies of Members of the NASA Space Team Journals by Members of the NASA Space Team Cooperative Education at the Johnson Space Center Aerospace Careers Information Summaries The Men and Women of the Neuro-Laboratory Team Careers in Computer Technology, Science, Engineering, Teaching, and Mathematics Journey into Cyberspace Biographies Career Information on the Internet from NASA Headquarters Aerospace Education and Careers |
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Questions to think about:
In the
next chapter, you will learn about the many upgrades and improvements
to the space shuttle during its lifetime and look at some of the designs
for new space shuttles on the horizon. |
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Next...
21st Century
Shuttle |