Aerospace

Aerospace refers to the technology and industry that work with the atmosphere and outer space. It includes many types of work, like commercial, industrial, and military uses. People who study aerospace engineering learn about aeronautics, which is flying in the air, and astronautics, which is traveling beyond Earth.

Aerospace organizations do many important jobs. They research new ideas, design new machines, build aircraft and spacecraft, operate them, keep them working, and fix them when needed. All of this helps us travel safely in the sky and explore space far away.

One way scientists decide where space begins is by using a line called the Kármán line. This line is about 100 kilometres or 62 miles above the ground. Above this line, the air is so thin that it is very hard for airplanes to fly without moving very fast.

Overview

In most countries, the aerospace industry works with both government and private companies. Many countries have their own space programs, like the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in the United States and the European Space Agency in Europe.

Besides government programs, many companies help make tools and parts for space, such as spacecraft and satellites. Well-known companies include Boeing, Airbus, SpaceX, and Lockheed Martin. These companies also build airplanes and other aircraft.

History

Main articles: History of aviation and Timeline of space exploration

Aerospace began with an engineer named George Cayley in 1799. He described what an airplane looks like, with wings and tails.

In the 1800s, groups studied flying, and people like Otto Lilienthal tested gliders. The Wright brothers used these ideas to create the first airplane flight in 1903.

Later, stories about space led to new inventions. In 1957, the world’s first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, was launched. In 1969, people landed on the Moon for the first time. Today, people can travel to space as tourists, and there are always new discoveries being made.

Manufacturing

Aerospace manufacturing is a special industry that makes airplanes, missiles, space vehicles, and their parts. Most of this work is done for governments. Each company has a special code from the government to help keep track.

In the United States, two big groups, the Department of Defense and NASA, buy many of these products. Many people work in this industry, especially in Washington state and California. Some important companies are Boeing, United Technologies Corporation, SpaceX, Northrop Grumman, and Lockheed Martin. These companies work with schools to help new workers learn the skills they need.

Important places for making airplanes and other aerospace products are in many countries. In North America, cities like Washington, California, and Montreal are key spots. In Europe, Toulouse in France and Hamburg in Germany are important. Other places include São José dos Campos in Brazil, Querétaro and Mexicali in Mexico, and Bangalore in India. Each of these places has companies that help build and test new airplanes, missiles, and space vehicles.

Technology

Aerospace uses many technologies and ideas, especially ones created during World War II. Some airplanes have folding wings to save space on ships. Others use special high-lift devices to help them take off and land better.

Scientists improved airplane engines so planes could fly higher and faster. Some planes have pressurized cabins so people can fly comfortably at very high altitudes.

New ideas like radio detection and ranging helped planes find their way. Pilots got special suits for flying very fast or high. All these inventions helped make aerospace what it is today.

Functional safety

Main article: AS9100

Functional safety is about making sure machines and tools can be used safely. This is very important in aerospace to keep people safe. Groups like the European Aviation Safety Agency make strict rules for airplanes and space vehicles. Places have their own rules, such as AS 9100 in America, EN 9100 in Europe, and JISQ 9100 in Asia. Companies check and test these vehicles to make sure they are safe.

Spinoffs

Spinoffs are new technologies made by NASA that are used for other things. These ideas help areas like medicine and transportation. For example, NASA’s work has helped make better medical tools. These inventions show how space work helps many parts of life. NASA shares these stories each year in a report called "Spinoffs."

These new technologies help companies grow and make new machines, like ones that can land on the Moon.