Aerospace Engineering or Space Sciences & Technology?

  • ACIO
  • November 29, 2023

In the past century, humanity has made remarkable strides in space exploration, revolutionising our understanding of the universe and pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery. As we continue to unlock the mysteries of the cosmos, the field of Space Sciences & Technology emerges as a crucial player in this grand endeavour.

With its focus on designing, developing, and maintaining spacecraft, satellites, and related systems, pursuing a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in Space Sciences & Technology opens up a world of exciting opportunities for aspiring engineers passionate about the vast expanse of outer space.

Aerospace Engineering or Space Sciences & Technology?

Aerospace Engineering and Space Sciences & Technology are two seemingly synonymous fields which are rapidly getting popular among aspiring engineering students in India.

The question is whether B.Tech in Aerospace Engineering and B.Tech in Space Sciences & Technology are the same.

To find the answer to this question, let us try to understand the similarities and differences between the two fields first!

Aerospace engineering is the primary field of engineering concerned with the design, development, testing, and production of aircraft, spacecraft, and related systems and equipment. The field has traditionally focused on problems related to atmospheric and space flight, with two major and overlapping branches: aeronautical engineering and astronautical engineering.

  • Aeronautical Engineering focuses on the theory, technology, and practice of flight within the Earth’s atmosphere.
  • Astronautical Engineering focuses on the science and technology of spacecraft and launch vehicles.

Astronautical Engineering is often referred to as Space Sciences & Technology. Space Sciences & Technology bring together a number of multidisciplinary engineering fields in order to create and develop high-performance system components and space systems. Typical areas in that space engineering is applied are the engineering of space vehicles, space mission, and space instrumentation, along with other components like actuators, sensors, propulsion, vehicle control, mechanisms, systems engineering and distributed space systems.

Therefore, it can be said that Space Sciences & Technology is a part of Aerospace Engineering.

Indian Institutions Offering B.Tech in Aerospace Engineering

S. No University/ College Course Offered Number of Seats Eligibility Criteria
1 Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai B.Tech Aerospace Engineering 80 – 75% aggregate in Class 12

– JEE Mains

– JEE Advanced

2 SRM Institute of Science and Technology, B.Tech Aerospace Engineering 60 – Minimum 60% aggregate in PCM

– Should have qualified the university’s enterance test SRMJEEE(UG)

3 Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, Kerala B.Tech Aerospace Engineering 72 – 75% aggregate in Class 12

– JEE Mains

– JEE Advanced

4 RV College of Engineering, Karnataka BE Aerospace Engineering 60 – 65% marks in Class 12
5 Indian Institute of Technology Madras B.Tech Aerospace Engineering 63 – 75% aggregate in Class 12

– JEE Mains

– JEE Advanced

6 Lovely Professional University, Punjab B.Tech Aerospace Engineering 60 – 60% in 10+2 with (English, Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics)

– LPUNEST or JEE MAINS or CUET Section-IA (Languages) – English and Section-II – Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

7 Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology Shibpur, West Bengal B.Tech Aerospace Engineering 48 – 45% aggregate in Class 12

– JEE Mains

8 BMS College of Engineering, Karnataka BE Aerospace Engineering 60 – 45% in class 12

2nd PUC / 12th Std / Equivalent Exam with English as one of the Languages and obtained in aggregate in Physics and Mathematics along with Chemistry / Bio-Technology / Biology / Electronics / Computer

9 School of Engineering, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Uttarakhand B.Tech Aerospace Engineering 50 – Enterance Exam

or

Minimum 50% marks at Higher& Senior Secondary level and minimum 50% aggregate in PCM (Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics) class 12

&

JEE Mains/ SAT Cut off – 50 percentiles and above/ Minimum 80% Marks at Higher & Senior Secondary Level and Minimum 80% aggregate in PCM (Physics, Chemistry and Math’s) at Senior Secondary Level

10 Chandigarh University, Punjab BE Aerospace Engineering – 10+2 with 50%

– CUCET

11 Punjab Engineering College, Punjab BE Aerospace Engineering 33 – 75% or feature in the top 20 percentile of the class 12 examination

– JEE Main

12 Amrita School of Engineering, Tamil Nadu B.Tech Aerospace Engineering 60 – 55% in Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics separately and an aggregate minimum of 60% in Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics.

– Amrita Entrance Examination – Engineering 2023

or

– JEE Mains 2023 Percentile Score

13 Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, West Bengal B.Tech Aerospace Engineering 44 – 75% aggregate in Class 12

– JEE Mains

– JEE Advanced

14 Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur B.Tech Aerospace Engineering 69 – 75% aggregate in Class 12

– JEE Mains

– JEE Advanced

15 Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science B.Tech Aerospace Engineering 160 – 50% in Class 12

For Lateral Entry:

– Diploma in the appropriate branch of Engg./ Tech / B.Sc. (with Mathematics as a subject). Average 50% in the final year of study.

– The candidate shall have not completed 21 years of age as of the first of July of the year of application.

16 Amity School of Engineering, B.Tech Aerospace Engineering 60 – 60% in class X & XII and 60% in PCM

– Amity JEE

17 Dayananda Sagar University, Karnataka B.Tech Aerospace Engineering 60 Pass in PUC / 10+2 examination with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects with at least 45% marks.
18 GIET University, Odisha B.Tech Aerospace Engineering 60 – Qualified Class 12 with the desired score

– qualified JEE Mains/ University Enterance Exam

19 BS Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology, Tamil Nadu PhD Aerospace Engineering 30 Candidates should have completed 12 years of schooling (equivalent to 10+2 system of Indian education, CBSE, ISCE etc.) with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics / Biology as compulsory subjects. The candidates should have a minimum average of 60% marks in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics / Biology
20 MIT School of Engineering, Maharashtra B.Tech Aerospace Engineering 60 – The student must have passed (10 + 2) board examination of State Board or CBSE or ICSE or IB with subjects group of Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and/or Technical Vocational Subjects.

– In addition to this, the applicant must have qualified for at least one engineering entrance examination like MHT-CET/JEE (Mains)/other states entrance exam of the current year / Uni-GAUGE-E.

Indian Institutions Offering B.Tech in Space Sciences & Technology

1. Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISER): 

It is one of the reputed colleges in India where they take admissions to BS-MS degree programs with its seven participating institutes. These institutes provide admission to approximately 1125 seats.

2. Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST):

Situated in Thiruvanthanpuram, this institute is ISRO affiliated and offers Bachelors degree in 3 categories, including B.Tech. in Avionic, B.Tech. in Aerospace Engineering and Dual Degrees (B.Tech. and M.S./M.Tech. The JEE Advanced Rank will be used to determine the admission into the institutes. The total number of seats in IIST for B.Tech in Space Science and Technology is 1838. The seats are further distributed in the three centres of IIST located in Thriruvanthanpuram, Pune & Tirupati.

☛ The Institute recently made it to the headlines with 1231 students selected in ISRO, which is an all-time high in the past 12 years. The topper of JEE Advanced 2022, too, joined the very same institution. This year, with the opening rank of 5, the institute is sure to assist the passions of thousands of students. 

Competency Based Section Distribution Hindi Class 10th

3. Birla Institute of Technology: Department of Space Engineering and Rocketry, Ranchi

Established in 1964 as the country’s first Department of Space Engineering and Rocketry, its primary mission has been to train scientists and engineers in Aerospace Engineering and Rocket Technologies. Offering an M.Tech. in Space Engineering and Rocketry since 1968, the department specialises in Aerodynamics and Rocket Propulsion, aiming to equip students with state-of-the-art education for impactful contributions to national efforts in Space & Defense technologies and future space missions.

4. IIT Indore

The Department of AstronomyAstrophysics, and Space Engineering (DAASE) at IIT Indore has introduced a new program, B.Tech in Space Science and Engineering, commencing on June 14, 2023.

Admission for this 4-year interdisciplinary course will begin in July 2023, based on All India JEE Advanced Rankings. With an intake of 20 students per batch, the program offers specialised knowledge and skills required to excel in the dynamic fields of space science and allied sectors.

Aspiring candidates must appear for the JEE Advanced 2023 examination, as it serves as the gateway to the prestigious IITs. This cutting-edge program covers diverse areas such as climate change, defence, communication, navigation, and astronomy.

Students can further specialise in domains like Space Instrumentation, Imaging and Data Analytics, Remote Sensing & Atmospheric Engineering, and Astronomy & Astrophysics through elective courses and research projects. The course equips graduates to meet the growing demands of the space industry in India and worldwide.

B.Tech Space Technology Eligibility Criteria:

The eligibility criteria for B.Tech Space Technology aspirants are not complicated and are as follows. It must be noted that the eligibility criteria will differ from institute to institute.

In most colleges and universities, admissions in B.Tech Space Engineering and technology are done on the basis of the applicant’s score in a common engineering entrance. This includes:

  • Candidates required eligibility for this course is to pass 10+2 in a Science stream from a recognised Board or University.
  • Some entrance exams require candidates to have min 75% in 12th.
  • The most popular entrance exams used for admission to B.Tech Space Technology include JEE Main & Advanced, WBJEE, IMU CET, SRMJEEE and MET etc.

The Scope of B.Tech in Space Sciences & Technology:

1. Space Exploration and Research:

One of the primary areas where B.Tech graduates in Space Sciences & Technology can contribute is in space exploration missions. The field offers opportunities to work on projects aimed at discovering new celestial bodies, studying distant galaxies, and expanding our knowledge of the universe. Whether it’s designing advanced propulsion systems, developing cutting-edge instruments for data collection, or contributing to the overall mission planning and execution, space engineers play a crucial role in advancing our understanding of space.

2. Satellite Systems and Communication:

The importance of satellite systems in our modern world cannot be overstated. From weather forecasting and navigation to telecommunications and broadcasting, satellites are integral to various aspects of our daily lives. Pursuing a B.Tech in Space Sciences & Technology equips individuals with the skills needed to design, build, and maintain satellite systems. This includes satellite communication, remote sensing, Earth observation, and satellite navigation. As demand for efficient and reliable satellite communication grows, space engineers are essential in developing advanced satellite systems and improving communication technologies.

3. Aerospace and Defense Industries

The aerospace and defence industries rely heavily on Space Sciences & Technology. From designing and manufacturing aircraft to developing missiles and defence systems, these sectors require engineers with a strong foundation in space technology. B.Tech graduates in Space Sciences & Technology can find rewarding careers in aerospace companies, defence research organisations, and government agencies, contributing to the development of advanced spacecraft, defence technologies, and strategic systems.

4. Private Space Companies:

The emergence of private space companies has sparked a new era of space exploration and technology development. Companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic are investing heavily in space technologies, pushing the boundaries of what is possible. B.Tech graduates in Space Sciences & Technology can find numerous opportunities in these companies, working on next-generation launch vehicles, satellite constellations, and space tourism initiatives.

Career Prospects: Top Recruiters & Job Roles:

There are several National as well as International organisation that seek out the individuals in the field of Space Science & Technology, such as  NASA (USA), ESA (European Space Agency), ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization), CNSA (China National Space Administration), Roscosmos (Russian Federal Space Agency), and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) are prominent government recruiters in this field.

Whereas private space companies such as SpaceX, Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic, Rocket Lab, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and many others too seek out the graduates and postgraduates of Space Science & Technology.

In India, apart from ISRO, various organisations such as Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Aerospace industry, National Aeronautical Limited (NAL), National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Universities, etc are also on the lookouts for such engineers.

The more prominent positions in this field are that of astronomers or astrophysicists, quality assurance specialists, operators, drafters, electricians, laser technicians, satellite technologists, robotic technicians, radar technicians, space scientists, science communicators, environmental scientists, research associates, etc.

It is to be noted that since Aerospace Engineering is an umbrella for Space Science and Engineering, it certainly offers more opportunities; however, the students can also choose to study Space Science & Engineering at a postgraduate level and pursue their interests as well.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Aerospace Engineering and Space Sciences & Technology are captivating fields that drive humanity’s curiosity and exploration beyond our planet’s boundaries. With rapid advancements in technology and growing interest from both the public and private sectors, these disciplines have become pivotal in shaping the future of space exploration, communication, defence, and scientific research.

The pursuit of knowledge in aerospace and space sciences has led to groundbreaking achievements, enabling us to push the boundaries of human knowledge and capabilities. As we continue to unlock the mysteries of the cosmos, the potential for further discoveries and innovations remains limitless.

Whether it’s designing state-of-the-art spacecraft, unravelling the mysteries of distant celestial objects, or developing cutting-edge technologies, these fields offer remarkable opportunities for those with a passion for exploring the final frontier. The profound impact of Aerospace Engineering, and Space Sciences & Technology on society, science, and the understanding of the universe underscores the importance of nurturing these disciplines and inspiring the next generation of pioneers to reach for the stars.

Found this blog interesting? Share it with your friends!

Stay tuned with ALLEN Overseas for more such information.

Read More:

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Our Support

Support Corner

Copyright © 2024 Allen Overseas. All Rights Reserved.