Expert: Paul Soderman - 10/24/2008

Question
Hello Sir,

My name is Siddhartha Roy and I am currently in my 3rd Year of Chemical Engineering. I have a keen interest in aeronautics and cosmology and wish to pursue my career in that direction.

I have a few questions.

1) Can a Chemical Engineer (Bachelors) join NASA?

2) With a Bachelor's in Chemical Engineering, do I need to fulfill some pre-requisite courses or criteria (academic) to pursue a Master's in 'Aeronautical Engineering'?

3) Which are the Best Colleges in the US that I can apply to after taking my GRE for a Masters in Aeronautical Engineering?

4) After GRE, am I directly eligible for admission in Aeronautical Engg courses or do I need to clear some exams or tests related to Aeronautical Engg?

4) How different is Astronautical Engineering from Aeronautical Engineering?

4) What kind of projects and missions do Engineers handle at NASA?

5) Is NASA the only Space Agency in the US or Private Agencies function too?

6) It might sound a bit childish, but from Grade II I have nurtured a dream of working at NASA. Any tips to 'sneak' in? ;-)

Thanks a lot for your time.

Siddhartha  

Answer
Siddhartha
1.  Yes, NASA employees chemists and I assume chemical engineers.  But NASA only employees U.S. citizens.  Contractors to NASA may or may not have that requirement.
2.  Maybe.  Most aero engineering graduate schools require a B.S. in aero or mechanical engineering.  You might have to take some courses in fluid mechanics, strength of materials, etc.  Ask a school.
3.  Each school is different.  Ask a school.
4.  Not very different. Aeronautical Engineering deals with flight in air.  Aerospace Engineering does also but includes a few elements of space flight.   (I assume you meant aerospace, not astronautical which means space flight only).
5.  See NASA main website for project descriptions.
6.  NASA is the main space agency.  A few small private launch firms exist.
7.  No.
Paul

A list of schools can be found at:
http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/grad/eng/search/specialities+p...