Expert: Mark Janus - 5/30/2007

Question
I am taking an admission in aeronautical engineering college and want to know whether I can pursue higher studies in aerospace engineering after completing the undergraduate level in aeronautical engineering. I want to know this because I want to become an astronaut and I don't have aerospace engineering in my state, please help me in this.

Answer
Vivekanand,

Don't worry about being an aeronautical engineer instead of an aerospace engineer.  Most astronauts are either pilots or have some specialty necessary for missions in space.  So in reality you don't have to be in the aero world to be an astronaut.  You simply need to be the best you can in a field that utilizes space.  Now if you want to "pilot" the vehicle, then you may need to set you sites on being a pilot first and then focus on a technical career that utilizes space heavily....

Hope this helps in your dilemma,
mj