Aerospace engineers develop, supervise and test spacecraft, missiles and aircraft. Engineers that work exclusively with spacecraft are called astronautical engineers. Engineers that work with aircraft only are called aeronautical engineers. Aerospace engineers may develop or specialize in new technologies for use in:
- thermodynamics, propulsion,
- acoustics,
- flight control systems,
- structural design, space exploration, communication methods, defense systems,
- light weight materials for aircraft,
- models of airflow around vehicles and wind turbines,
- and commercial aircraft
.