<p>If I wanted to work with space travel, specifically manned space travel, would it be better to go for a BS in ME then MS in Aerospace or earn advanced degrees in physics? The college I am looking at also offers a BC in Aerospace, but I figure that I would have a wider career field if I went with Mechanical Engineering at the BS level. Am I wrong?</p>
<p>It all depends on what sort of stuff you want to do with space travel. I’m a materials scientist and currently working on a project that’s slated to go to the international space station, and I’m also working on various projects for building various components that may be used in manned space vehicles, structures on the moon, and all sorts of other things. :)</p>
<p>My dream is like many others… long distance travel through space as well as landing on various objects/moons/planets.</p>
<p>I want to get us off this planet and into the vastness of space. I know it’s a long way off, but I want to help make it happen. </p>
<p>I’m not sure what specifically I want to work on. Perhaps researching new fuels perhaps, or even new materials for a lighter and stronger structure. Even searching for ways to put the human body in a form of stasis for long distance travel. How about finding a way for the spaceship to carry something that helps to or generates a large amount of power so that you don’t have to worry about refueling (if you know what I mean). Oh, a smaller more powerful engine? Hmm…</p>
<p>As you can see, then, you can get at space technologies from just about any angle. Like just about every other modern engineering problem, it’s something which will have to be solved by people from all fields working together, so there’s certainly not just one route to get your hat in the ring.</p>
<p>Major in whatever you have the most interest in, and you’ll have much better opportunities than if you try to hedge your bets on “more popular” majors for the field.</p>
<p>I see what you mean. I’m just now starting the entry classes for the engineering degrees. Chem 1 and Calc 1. I’ll take Calc 2 in the summer and then I’ll be doing Calc 3 and Engineering Physics over next fall along with something from an engineering discipline of my choice. I guess the only way I can decide which I’d rather do is to take a class to see what it’s all about… that or find some I can shadow or talk to about their daily routine. </p>
<p>I’ve also just joined the school’s Engineering club so I’ll be exposed to speakers from different disciplines. There’s also a free class-like setup where one of the engineering/geology instructors teaches engineering students all sorts of hands-on mechanical knowledge such as fitting and various types of welding. I can’t wait!</p>
<p>If you’re interested in helping humans adapt to space travel and microgravity, you could work in research geared towards creating synthetic DNA and proteins. There was a recent breakthrough about a month ago or less at Princeton where they made the very first artificial proteins with completely different materials than those that are used in nature. Genetics would probably be your interest there.</p>
<p>There’s lots you can do, like RacinReaver said. You can work on the control systems, computers, shielding materials, optical instruments, acoustics and vibrations analysis, engines, and that’s just a couple of things.</p>
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<p>This could possibly be the most useful class ever for grad school (or any job where you have to build/spec out your own equipment.</p>
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<p>Yeah, I had to learn most of that myself. I knew some of the basics, but no clue about specking o-rings and pipe fittings and all of that stuff. Who knew that 2" pipe isn’t actually 2" in diameter?</p>
<p>I can also tell you that most people that wind up learning this stuff themselves don’t learn things properly. For example, we have a number of HV possible vacuum chambers, but the gaskets going from the chamber are rubber and not copper. I mean, why spend so much freaking money on a chamber that can go to 10^-8 mbar when you’ve got a rubber gasket on there that can only go to 10^-3!?!</p>
<p>It’s been so long since I’ve been on the other side of a nerd rage.</p>