When I was young I wanted to be an engineer in the manned space program. I also wanted to got to MIT as I thought that it would provide the best path to my intended career. I retired a few years back after doing exactly that: MIT then the space program. I worked with many excellent engineers and a few were fellow MIT grads but most were not. Just a numbers game with so many good engineering schools out there. Get yourself set up in a good engineering program and don’t get worked up about it having to be MIT or CalTech, just learn and do well wherever you go.
I also worked with engineers of just about every kind you could think of; Mechanical, electrical, chemical, materials, process, industrial, etc. It takes all kinds of specialties to make the space program go. Very few were actually aerospace engineering majors. Again just a numbers game. So, pursue your passion and you’ll find a place in the space program where you’ll be needed.
Chris Peterson from MIT has a good article to read about preparing yourself to apply to MIT. It applies to more than just MIT. Read it and follow his advice. It is called “Applying Sideways” and can be found at: Applying Sideways | MIT Admissions