Introduction to Aerospace Engineering and Design
MIT OpenCourseWare offers this freshman-level introduction to aeronautics, astronautics, and engineering design. Lectures cover the fundamental concepts of aerospace engineering, applying physics, chemistry, and math already familiar to first-year students rather than teaching new science. The course centers on a hands-on team project: designing, building, and flying radio-controlled lighter-than-air (LTA) vehicles. Active learning modules use information technology to connect theory with practice, and student teams work through required design reviews before competing in an LTA race. Materials include lecture content, design exercise guidelines, and project specifications drawn directly from the MIT course. It suits students wanting a practical, project-driven entry point into aerospace engineering rather than a purely theoretical survey.