An aerospace engineer designs, analyzes, builds, and tests aircraft, spacecraft, and missiles. Day to day you turn customer requirements into concepts, build math models, run tests, find why something underperforms, and write it all up so others can act on it. Most US employers (Boeing, Lockheed Martin, NASA contractors, SpaceX, GE Aerospace) want a bachelor's degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering, so this roadmap teaches the same core material for free: physics and math first, then aerodynamics, structures, propulsion, and controls, then the tools (CAD, MATLAB/Simulink, Python). Build
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Every stage from beginner to expert, with lessons, practice drills, projects, interview questions and free resources. Free with a Rolearch account.
Stage 1 of 4 · about 26 weeks
Master calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, and Newtonian physics. Learn basic Python and MATLAB. Understand lift, drag, thrust, and weight, and sketch a simple part in CAD. Check yourself by deriving the rocket equation and simulating a falling object with drag in code.
Calculus for engineers
Every aerospace model, from how fast a rocket speeds up to how air pressure changes with altitude, describes things that change. Calculus is the language of change, and you will use it in every later stage.
Newtonian physics and free-body diagrams
Aircraft and spacecraft are just objects obeying Newton's laws. Being able to draw the forces and write F = ma correctly is the base for structures, flight dynamics, orbits and propulsion.
Linear algebra
Almost every engineering simulation turns into a big system of equations. Finite element analysis, flight control and coordinate transformations are all matrix math under the hood.
Differential equations and numerical solving
Motion under changing forces is described by differential equations. Drag depends on speed, which changes the acceleration, which changes the speed. You need to both solve simple ones by hand and simulate hard ones in code.
Python and MATLAB basics for engineering
Engineers use code to check hand calculations, plot results and run simulations too long for paper. Job listings for aerospace engineers regularly mention MATLAB, Python, and C/C++; Simulink (in the next stage) builds on MATLAB.
Forces of flight, the rocket equation, and first CAD sketch
This is where the math becomes aerospace. Lift, drag, thrust and weight explain every vehicle, the rocket equation explains why space is hard, and CAD is how ideas become drawings that others can build.
Then 3 more stages (about 158 weeks in all) with lessons, drills, projects, 10 interview questions with strong answers and free resources.