Learn to design real aircraft and spacecraft systems — aerodynamics, compressible flow, propulsion, jet engines, rocket propulsion, stability & control, orbital mechanics, and avionics.
25 modules in 5 phases, with worked examples, interactive tools, labs and a quiz in every one, and a certificate of completion.
Build an electrical energy budget for a subsystem.
An agricultural survey operation needs a small fixed-wing UAS to fly automated aerial-mapping missions over row-crop fields: launch by hand, fly a pre-programmed grid pattern carrying a 1.5 lb mapping camera and 2-axis gimbal, and land back at the launch point, all on a single battery charge. The target mission endurance is 2.0 hours at a 45 mph cruise speed, which is deliberately framed as the design-driving…
Selected training excerpt, not a complete design or a project submission. The full project includes its assumptions, methods and checks.
Build your own phase-by-phase workbook, record the evidence behind your decisions and download your work.
Estimate ideal runtime from usable battery energy and a constant electrical load. Then identify one real-world allowance.
Ideal runtime = usable energy ÷ load power
Ideal energy balance only; no chemistry, discharge-rate, safety or regulatory sizing model. This free exercise does not mark a paid module complete.
Related full-program tool: Fluid Flow Regimes lab →Choose a phase to explore its lessons and project work.
Start with the free lesson →Covers Flight Fundamentals, Aerodynamics, Compressible Flow, Aircraft Structures, Propulsion and Jet Engines.
The four forces of flight and the standard atmosphere model.
Airfoil geometry, the lift equation, angle of attack, and drag.
Mach number, flow regimes, and shock waves.
Wing/fuselage structure and monocoque vs. semi-monocoque construction.
Thrust generation and a comparison of propulsion types.
The Brayton cycle, engine components, and turbofan bypass ratio.
Project checkpoint: Record the assumptions, calculations and evidence behind this phase’s outcome in your project workbook.
Covers Rocket Propulsion, Stability & Control, Flight Performance, Orbital Mechanics, Avionics and Aerospace Materials.
The Tsiolkovsky rocket equation, propellants, and staging.
Static/dynamic stability and the three axes of aircraft motion.
Thrust-required curves, range, endurance, and climb performance.
Kepler's laws, orbit types, and Hohmann transfers.
Navigation, communication, and flight management systems.
Material selection drivers and airframe material usage.
Project checkpoint: Record the assumptions, calculations and evidence behind this phase’s outcome in your project workbook.
Covers Aircraft Systems, Spacecraft Systems, Flight Testing, Maintenance and Troubleshooting.
Hydraulics, electrical, fuel, ECS, and landing gear systems.
Power, thermal control, ADCS, and communications subsystems.
Flight test instrumentation and envelope expansion methodology.
Maintenance programs, airworthiness directives, and continued airworthiness.
Real diagnostic scenarios covering common real aerospace problems.
Project checkpoint: Record the assumptions, calculations and evidence behind this phase’s outcome in your project workbook.
You apply what you have learned to 5 complete designs, starting with Conceptual Design of a Small UAS.
A full worked weight, wing, and power sizing for a small UAS.
A Brayton-cycle-based turbofan thrust and TSFC analysis.
A CG/neutral point static stability and elevator sizing check.
A 3U CubeSat mass, power, and link budget design.
A rocket-equation-based staging and thrust sizing exercise.
Project checkpoint: Record the assumptions, calculations and evidence behind this phase’s outcome in your project workbook.
Covers Professional Practice, Documentation & Resource Kit and Practice & Certification.
PE licensure, FAA certification processes, and safety-critical culture.
A downloadable kit of 12 real project templates.
A final capstone design assignment and your certificate of completion.
Project checkpoint: Record the assumptions, calculations and evidence behind this phase’s outcome in your project workbook.
By the end: Covers Flight Fundamentals, Aerodynamics, Compressible Flow, Aircraft Structures, Propulsion and Jet Engines.
Aerospace systems workbook: Build an electrical energy budget for a subsystem. Keep a result and a verification note for each phase.
Your All-Access Pass includes the project workbook, lesson notes, self-review checklists and portfolio downloads. Try the free lesson above to see a worked example.
Your name
Applied Aerospace Engineering Professional ProgramEngineersUniverse · self-paced learning
Finish all required module quizzes to unlock your certificate of completion. Modules with a score requirement must meet that requirement. Your project portfolio and skills summary are separate downloads for your own learning record.
A certificate of completion is not a professional license or accreditation.
12 real project templates — a weight and balance worksheet, mass and power budget template, performance calculation summary sheet, propulsion sizing worksheet, stability and control derivatives worksheet, link budget worksheet, design review checklist, FMEA worksheet, airworthiness compliance checklist, flight test data card, RFI template, and a punch list/action item tracker. Available for download from Module 20 (Documentation & Resource Kit) once you've unlocked the program.