Over the years and in recent times a couple of technologies have been developed in the field of aerospace engineering which has modernised the lives of aviation service users. There is need to mention that the two division of aerospace engineering is regarded as astronautic, and the Aeronautical engineering. The aeronautical aspect is considered to be the main component of this field; it consists of activities such as the operation of crafts. The astronautic, engineering, on the other hand, has to do with all events associated with the concept of rocket science. It is important to note that these aspects of aerospace engineering are offering many improvements lives which include increased knowledge innovation, ease and speedy service delivery (Stanley and Amir 2018). There is need to mention at this juncture that this study is developed to carry out an exploration of the two aspects of aerospace engineering with a profound focus on how the activities of Aerospace engineers is leading to innovation regarding the reduction of manufacturing and fuel cost and resulting in an improved overall environmental conditions.
Introduction to Aerospace Engineering
History of Aerospace Engineering
The origin of aerospace industry dates back to the events of 1930 which were closely associated with the actions of the Wright brothers. These individual were of the opinion that they could successfully power and sustain flight. Based on the detailed research and engineering competence, the Wright brothers were able to accomplish their notion as mentioned earlier. The activists of the Wright brother lead to the inception of that aerospace industry and ever since there have been several innovations in the field of aerospace engineering. One prominent world event that all led to the development and improvement of technologies in this field was the world wars. Based on the need to attain victory and maintain Arial domination, many countries invested in advance research to produce sophisticated aircraft. Countries like Germany and France were aware of the importance and advantages associated with the use of aircraft of warfare hence they manufactured several air machines during this era. Record shows that France manufactured 2000 planes during the First World War and used 1500 of it for military purposes. Germany and Britain ranked second and third they made 1000 and 176 war crafts respectively. The inception of World War Two led to the need for more advancement in the quality and potential of aircraft used for warfare. This led to the development of planes that were better and offered improved abilities. It is important to mention that activities associated with the aerospace industry have improved overtime with the government of nations developing regulatory institutions such as NASA and the activities of aircraft manufacturers have increased based on the prowess and sophistication of industry leaders such as Boeing, Airbus, etc., (Stanley and Amir, 2018)
Branches of Aerospace Engineering
As mentioned earlier in the course of this study, the two branches of aerospace engineering are the aeronautical and astronautic engineering. (Jim 2014) Thus there is need to carry out a profound view of the concepts as mentioned earlier. Aeronautical Engineering can be referred to as the science which is responsible for the design, study, and manufacture of machines with flying capabilities. The study also has to with the understanding of all aspect and the techniques associated with the operation of aircraft. In recent times and the course of history, this field of study has also been associated with the construction and analysis of military and warfare aircraft. However, it is important to note that one of the most critical functions of the field of study is a profound focus on the development of new and improved technology to support defence systems, space exploration, and commercial aviation. (Corda 2017, p 68).
Astronautic engineering, on the other hand, can be described as a field of study responsible for these of practical and advanced scientific skills to develop, test, research, upgrade and adjust equipment and machines required for space exploration. This branch of aerospace engineering focuses on the development and improved of space shuttles, satellites, space capsules, and they also carry out a couple of profound activities associated with planet probe. There is need to emphasise that in recent times, astronautic engineers have often taken on specialist roles such as software, electrical and electronic engineering, (Corda 2017, p 78).
The Growth Rate of Aerospace Industry
According to Oxford Economics, the output of aerospace supply in the United States, the UK, and Japan was at a flat rate in 2016 with an estimated decline of about 0.1% in the previous year. Reports also confirmed that the US which is the industry leader witnessed a decline of 1.4% in 2016 and 2.7% decline was recorded in 2017. The above report may sound conflicting based on the fact that the companies like Airbus and Boeing recorded in an increase in the supply of their products in 2017 compared to 2016. However, Oxford economist chief analysis was of the opinion that global flight records are considered based on government statistics hence the possibilities of little divergence between government and company records. However, the industry is expected to witness reasonable growth projections this year and in 2019. The US aerospace industry is expected to growth by 2.9% this year and 3.4% in 2019 and 2020. The combined rate of output across the Eurozone up, Japan and the USA is expected to rise by 3% in 2018 and 3.1% annually in 2019 and 2020. The above growth projection is based on elements such as production ramp-up plans and backlogs by Airbus and Boeing. Other factors such as low cost of fuel and a continued rise in customer demand are expected to contribute to the likely rise in demand. (Michael, 2018)
Aerospace Engineering within the Earth’s Atmosphere
Testing and Manufacturing Aircrafts
Testing and manufacturing of aircraft is an aspect of aeronautical engineering. The manufacturing aspect has to do with the physical construction and compilation of the air machines from start to finish. The testing on the other hand consists of actions carried out by engineers in a bid to gather data during flights. Information acquired is then analyzed based on the need to determine element such as flight characteristics, to determine in the validity of the design and also to ascertain the level of safety provided by the aircraft. It is, therefore, necessary to mention that flight test are carried about in two phases, i.e., locating and rectifying design related issues and documenting and verifying the abilities of the new machine in relations to the requirements of government and regulatory institutions (Fortescue et al. 2011, p.90).
Aerospace Engineering beyond the earth’s atmosphere
Testing and manufacturing spacecraft
The manufacturing of spacecraft has to do with the physical construction and compilation of space exploring equipment such as spaceships and satellites. However, the test of space craft requires a high level of precautions and certainty based on the technicalities associated with this action. A couple of proceedings are carried in the phases to ensure the quality of the equipment developed. This action includes vibration and acoustic test during lunching. The vibration test is carried out to determine the equipment’s ability to withstand shaking and turbulence during lunch, and the acoustic test is required as a means of determining the spacecraft’s ability to withstand noise during lunching. (Fortescue et al. 2011, p.90 )
Designing Satellites
Satellites designs have witnessed some changes since the first one was shot into the sky on the first of October 1957; the satellites at the time have a collection of four antennas which was used of collecting information from space. However, in recent time s there is a need to mention that spacecraft are now designed with its purpose in mind. The latest satellites of the 21st century are designed with specific function in mind hence those essential features include communication and power management systems, they are also built with the ability of withstand pressure and heights of variations in the obits (McAvinia, 2018)
Aerospace engineers and the Environment
Designing and testing new aircraft to save fuel
Based on the latest requirement of the aviation industry, there have been new aircraft designed with the intent to reduce fuel consumption hence improving their performance. NASA and Boeing are leading initiatives in recent times to build planes which will consume lower quantity of fuel without a compromise on the quality and performance of the machines. One of the means by which the above-mentioned goals are being accomplished is via the adoption of slimmer wings. Simmer wings is expected to reduce aircrafts weight and will also reduce the amount of energy sued for drag and thrust thereby resulting in fewer amounts of fuel used and carbon emission during the performance by planes (Sharon 2017)
Using Bio Fuels
Based on recent requirements for a safer environment, airlines have got the approval of government regulatory institutions to power their aircraft with a blend of kerosene and biofuel which are gotten from plants and other organic waste. The above decisions will result in the emission of less poisonous gas to the environment; thus, reducing the adverse effects of poisonous carbon monoxide into to the atmosphere. Some airlines have also carried out a test use of the above initiative which has proven to be a huge success. Air France-KLM group reported the first flight operated with a blend of cooking oil and the company is planning to do the same for 200 more flights. (Louise 2011).
Conclusion
It is essential to mention that the society today is changing; there are many new requirements in diverse field of endeavou. The field of aerospace engineering is not left out. The above mention field of study has been very active in areas of astronautic and the aeronautical engineering which deals with space exploration and the building of aircraft respectively. Conclusively, based on the recent requirements for a safer and more conducive environment, aerospace engineering has adopted the use do a blend of kerosene and biofuel in a bid to reduce the emission of poisonous gases and preserve the safety of the environment.
References
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