Skip to main content Skip to secondary navigation
airplane carrying space shuttle

Aeronautics and Astronautics

Main content start

Provides you with the principles and techniques necessary for success and leadership in the conception, design, implementation, and operation of aerospace and related engineering systems.

What You'll Study

The mission of the undergraduate program in Aeronautics and Astronautics Engineering is to provide students with the principles and techniques necessary for success and leadership in the conception, design, implementation, and operation of aerospace and related engineering systems. Courses in the major introduce students to engineering principles. Students learn to apply this fundamental knowledge to conduct laboratory experiments and aerospace system design problems. Courses in the major include engineering fundamentals, mathematics, and the sciences, as well as in-depth courses in aeronautics and astronautics, dynamics, mechanics of materials, fluids engineering, and heat transfer. The major prepares students for careers in aircraft and spacecraft engineering, space exploration, air and space-based telecommunication industries, teaching, research, military service, and many related technology-intensive fields. Completion of the undergraduate program in Aeronautics and Astronautics leads to the conferral of the Bachelor of Science in Engineering. The subplan "Aeronautics and Astronautics" appears on the transcript and on the diploma.

Degrees Offered

  • BS
  • Minor
  • Honors
  • Coterm

Exploratory Student Organizations

We strongly encourage all students interested in majoring in Aero/Astro to join Stanford SSI or Stanford Flight Club to gain valuable hands-on project experience early in your academic career for internships. 

More Information

Learn more about Aeronautics and Astronautics in the Stanford Bulletin

Exploratory Courses

AA 100

Introduction to Aeronautics and Astronautics

AA 118

How to Design a Space Mission: from Concept to Execution

AA 126

Aerospace Prototyping Lab

AA 149

Operation of Aerospace Systems