★ Grades 7–12 · Simulation-Based · No Prereq
Aerospace Engineering & Mission Design Lab
Think Like an Aerospace Engineer.
A live online aerospace STEM program for ambitious middle and high school students exploring aviation, drones, flight science, satellites, orbital mechanics, and space mission design.
✈️ Optional: discovery-flight referral in select cities via independent FAA-certified flight schools (arranged by families, ~$150–$300).
Enroll now
Upcoming cohorts
More than an aviation camp
Students don't just learn about airplanes and rockets — they think like aerospace engineers.
Many aviation programs introduce basic flight vocabulary or a one-time activity. This program goes deeper: students explore the engineering systems behind modern aviation and space — aerodynamics, aircraft systems, drones, aviation weather, navigation, satellites, orbital mechanics, and mission operations — by analyzing trade-offs, running visual simulations, interpreting data, and designing a final mission concept.
🧠
Concept first
Advanced aerospace ideas, explained in an accessible, story-driven way — no heavy derivations required.
🖥️
Visual simulation
Guided simulations and visual tools let students test ideas and watch variables change in real time.
⚙️
Engineering decision
Students make a design choice and defend the trade-off — the way real aerospace engineers work.
🦾
Prefer hands-on hardware? The AI Robotics & Autonomous Drone Lab has students build and keep real robots and drones. This Aerospace Lab is systems & simulation — flight science, satellites, and space mission design, with no hardware to buy. Many students do both.
Who it's for
Built for curious students — advanced in content, accessible in delivery
Ideal for grades 7–12 who are curious about aviation, space, aerospace engineering, drones, robotics, physics, AI, or future STEM research. No previous aerospace experience is required.
- Interested in airplanes, rockets, drones, satellites, or space missions
- Want a rigorous STEM experience beyond a basic camp
- Enjoy solving real-world engineering problems
- Considering engineering, aviation, computer science, robotics, physics, or space science
- Want to build a portfolio-style capstone project
- May later pursue AI, robotics, or high school research mentorship
What students will learn
Six weeks, from flight science to a defended mission concept
Each week pairs a premium engineering concept with an accessible, simulation-based activity — and a real student output.
Week 1
Aerodynamics & Flight Mechanics
ConceptThe science of flightLift, drag, thrust, weight, airfoils, angle of attack, and aerodynamic stalls.
SandboxTest a wingUse simulations to see how wing shape, speed, and angle change lift and drag.
OutputWing design comparisonA lift/drag trade-off reflection.
Week 2
Aircraft Systems, Avionics & Propulsion
ConceptHow aircraft integratePropulsion, control surfaces, flight instruments, navigation, electrical systems, and cockpit displays.
SandboxTrace a failureMap key systems and analyze what happens when a sensor or instrument fails.
OutputSystems mapAn aircraft systems map or cockpit failure-response analysis.
Week 3
Aviation Weather, Navigation & Flight Safety
ConceptReading the skyAviation weather, METARs/TAFs, wind, ceilings, visibility, crosswinds, and go/no-go decisions.
SandboxDecode & planDecode real weather reports with a simple "decoder ring" and evaluate a sample route.
OutputFlight planning worksheetPlus a safety decision matrix.
Week 4
Drones, Autonomy & AI in Aviation
ConceptUnmanned systemsDrone mission planning, sensors, IMUs, waypoint routing, computer vision, and autonomous decisions.
SandboxPlan a missionDesign an autonomous drone mission for search-and-rescue, agriculture, disaster response, or inspection.
OutputDrone mission conceptA complete autonomous mission plan.
Week 5
Satellites, Orbits & Space Systems
ConceptGetting to orbitOrbital mechanics, LEO vs. GEO, CubeSats, payloads, delta-v, escape velocity, and mission trade-offs.
SandboxBudget a missionUse orbit simulations to balance fuel, mass, power, and timing.
OutputCubeSat proposal outlineA satellite or CubeSat mission proposal.
Week 6
Capstone Mission Design Defense
ConceptSynthesizeCombine the course into a final aerospace mission concept presented as a technical proposal.
SandboxBuild the deckObjective, system design, constraints, trade-offs, risks, and recommendations.
OutputFinal defenseThe Capstone Mission Design Defense.
The signature outcome
Capstone Mission Design Defense
Each student selects an aerospace mission challenge and develops a 5–7 slide technical presentation. The goal isn't to summarize facts — it's to make and defend real engineering decisions.
Choose your mission challenge
- CubeSat mission for agriculture, climate, disaster response, or communications
- Autonomous drone search-and-rescue mission
- Aircraft safety redesign from a simplified case study
- Mars habitat systems concept
- Aviation weather & route-planning case
- AI-assisted flight safety concept
- Satellite imaging mission proposal
- Airport operations / air-traffic optimization concept
What you defend
- Mission objective
- System design
- Key constraints
- Engineering trade-offs
- Risk & safety considerations
- Final recommendation
How we teach
Premium concepts. Accessible delivery.
A three-layer framework makes advanced aerospace topics engaging and understandable — rigorous, without overwhelming students with unnecessary derivations.
Layer 1The HookStart with a real mission challenge — a drone rescue, a short-runway takeoff, a spacecraft fuel constraint, or a flight-safety call.
Layer 2The SandboxInteract with simulations, maps, and visuals to test ideas and watch the variables change in real time.
Layer 3The Engineering DecisionMake a design choice and explain the trade-off. Bigger wing? More lift, but more weight and drag. New orbit? More fuel.
Simulation-based learning
Learn by doing — with visual, browser-friendly tools
Sessions may include free or browser-accessible simulations and visual resources, such as:
- NASA-style airfoil & flight simulations
- Browser-based flight simulators
- Weather visualization tools
- Aviation chart & route-planning tools
- Drone mission-planning concepts
- Orbit & gravity simulators
- Satellite & mission-design templates
Specific tools may vary by cohort and instructor.
Where it can lead
Explore future pathways in aviation, space & engineering
The program introduces students to a wide range of academic and career directions:
- Aerospace engineering
- Mechanical engineering
- Aviation & flight operations
- Drone & autonomous systems
- Satellite systems & remote sensing
- Space mission operations
- AI for aviation & robotics
- Human factors & aviation safety
- Space medicine & human performance
- Aerospace policy & sustainability
A natural progression
Continue into deeper Research Ignited pathways
From exposure, to technical project work, to research mentorship — students can keep climbing.
🛰️
Aerospace Research Fellowship
1:1 mentorship to turn aerospace interest into a real research project.
🦾
AI Robotics & Drone Lab
Build and keep real robots and autonomous drones.
🎓
AI Scholars Program
Our flagship AI/ML foundation — Python to a capstone.
🔬
High School Research Program
1:1 PhD mentorship toward a publishable paper, any field.
Who teaches it
Taught by aerospace, aviation & STEM experts
Sessions are designed to be led by instructors with backgrounds in aerospace engineering, aviation, drones, physics, robotics, or space systems — chosen for their ability to explain advanced ideas clearly, keep sessions interactive, and guide a meaningful capstone.
🚀
Real domain expertise
Aerospace, aviation, engineering, robotics, or space-systems backgrounds.
🗣️
Built to teach teens
Strong storytelling and visual explanation skills for grades 7–12.
🧭
Project mentors
Experience with simulations, projects, and guiding capstone presentations.
Reserve your seat
Aerospace Engineering & Mission Design Lab
$999 / student tuition
6 weeks × 90 min/week (~9 live hours) · small cohort (capped ~10–12 students)
- Six live online sessions
- Guided aerospace simulations & activities
- Mission design templates
- Capstone project guidance
- Final Capstone Mission Design Defense
- Certificate of completion
Optional & independent
Optional discovery flight referral
✈️
Optional discovery flight referrals may be available in select cities through independent FAA-certified flight schools. Discovery flights are typically arranged directly by families with the flight provider and often range from approximately $150–$300 depending on location, aircraft type, duration, and provider policies. This is separate from the academic program and is not required for participation.
Research Ignited provides academic, theoretical, and simulation-based STEM education only. Optional hands-on discovery flights are operated entirely by independent, FAA-certified flight schools. Research Ignited does not own aircraft, employ flight instructors, provide flight training, manage aviation operations, schedule flights, collect flight fees, or control flight safety procedures. All flight scheduling, fees, waivers, safety protocols, eligibility requirements, and insurance matters are handled directly between the parent/guardian and the independent flight provider.
Questions parents ask
Good to know
Is this a flight training program?+
No. This is an academic aerospace STEM program. It does not provide pilot training or flight certification.
Does my student need prior aviation experience?+
No. The program is designed for curious students with no prior aerospace experience.
Is this too advanced for middle school students?+
No. The program uses advanced topics but accessible delivery. Middle-school students focus on concepts, simulations, and design decisions; older students can go deeper with technical analysis.
Will students use math?+
Yes, but in a guided, age-appropriate way. Students may see equations like the lift equation or escape velocity, but the focus is on understanding variables, trade-offs, and engineering decisions — not heavy derivations.
What does the student complete by the end?+
Each student completes a Capstone Mission Design Defense — a short technical presentation explaining an aerospace mission concept, its constraints, trade-offs, and recommendations.
Is a discovery flight included?+
No. Optional discovery flights may be available through independent flight schools in select cities and are arranged directly between the family and the flight provider.
Is this connected to the Aerospace Research Fellowship?+
Yes. Students who want deeper, mentor-guided work can continue into the Aerospace Research Fellowship.
Ready to explore aviation, drones, and space systems?
Join the Aerospace Engineering & Mission Design Lab and build — and defend — your first aerospace mission concept.
Enroll Now →