★ Aerospace Research · 1:1 Mentorship · Grades 9–12
Aerospace Research Fellowship
A mentor-guided research experience for high school students interested in aerospace engineering, aviation safety, autonomous drones, satellite data, space systems, and human spaceflight.
Admissions
Apply anytime
This is a mentor-guided program — apply anytime and we'll assess fit and match you with the right aerospace mentor for your interests.
From interest to direction
From aerospace interest to a real research direction.
Many students are fascinated by aviation, drones, rockets, or space — but don't know how to turn that into a serious academic project. The Aerospace Research Fellowship gives a structured path to investigate a focused question, analyze real systems or data, and produce a meaningful research-style deliverable. It's ideal for students who want a deeper, more personalized experience than a cohort course.
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A focused question
Your mentor helps narrow a broad interest into one investigable, original research question.
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Real analysis
Work with public datasets, technical reports, simulations, or system comparisons — not just summaries.
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A serious deliverable
Finish with a research paper, technical poster, presentation, or portfolio-ready project.
A specialized pathway within Research Ignited's research ecosystem — it complements the High School Research Program, AI Research Fellowship, AI Robotics & Drone Lab, and AI Scholars Program.
Who should apply
For students ready to go deeper into aerospace
Best fit for grades 10–12 (motivated 9th graders considered) who want a serious capstone or research project and are interested in engineering, computer science, physics, policy, medicine, climate, or space science — and may be preparing for college applications, STEM portfolios, science fairs, or independent research.
- Aerospace engineering
- Aviation safety
- Autonomous drones
- Satellite imagery & remote sensing
- Space systems
- AI & robotics
- Sustainable aviation
- Human spaceflight
- Space medicine
- Aerospace policy
- Climate & Earth observation
- Engineering research
How the fellowship works
A structured research process, guided 1:1
Your mentor takes you from broad interest to a polished deliverable — the same path real researchers follow.
Step 1 · Interest mapping
Find your direction
Identify your aerospace interests, background, and goals to set the right scope.
Step 2 · Research question
Narrow the focus
Your mentor helps shape a broad interest into a focused, investigable research question.
Step 3 · Background review
Read the field
Learn to read selected articles, technical reports, public datasets, and case studies.
Step 4 · Project design
Define the method
Set your methods, data sources, assumptions, constraints, and expected outcomes.
Step 5 · Analysis & development
Do the work
Analyze data, compare systems, design a mission concept, build a model, or develop a framework.
Step 6 · Final deliverable
Produce & polish
Create a research-style paper, technical poster, presentation, or portfolio-ready project.
Step 7 · Optional support
Present or publish
Optional guidance on presentation, submission, or publication pathways where appropriate.
Potential research areas
Pick a direction — your mentor helps you focus it
Example areas and topics. These are starting points; your final question is shaped with your mentor.
Aviation Safety & Human Factors
Safer skies by design
- Cockpit display design to reduce pilot error
- Accident patterns from public safety reports
- Human factors in automation dependency
- Weather-related decision-making in general aviation
- Better go/no-go tools for student pilots
Drones, Autonomy & AI
Smarter unmanned systems
- Autonomous drone search-and-rescue routing
- Computer vision for UAV object detection
- Drone delivery route optimization
- Battery constraints in autonomous missions
- Safety & ethics of urban drone operations
Satellite Data & Earth Observation
Seeing Earth from orbit
- Satellite imagery to monitor agriculture
- Remote sensing for wildfire or flood detection
- Satellite data for climate & environment
- Comparing missions for disaster response
- Earth observation for land-use change
Space Systems & CubeSat Design
Designing the mission
- A CubeSat payload for climate monitoring
- Communication constraints in small sats
- Power & mass trade-offs in CubeSat design
- LEO vs. GEO mission trade-offs
- Low-cost educational satellite design
Space Medicine & Human Performance
Humans in space
- Bone-density loss in long-duration spaceflight
- Radiation exposure risks for astronauts
- Sleep & circadian disruption in space
- Psychology of isolated space habitats
- Exercise countermeasures for astronauts
Sustainable Aviation & Policy
The future of flight
- Sustainable aviation fuel trade-offs
- Hydrogen vs. electric aircraft
- Noise pollution around airports
- Space-debris mitigation policy
- Drone privacy & regulation
AI for Aerospace Systems
Intelligence in the loop
- AI-assisted flight-risk prediction
- ML for aviation-safety trend analysis
- AI for air-traffic optimization
- Predictive maintenance in aircraft systems
- Autonomous navigation & decision-making
What students produce
A real, portfolio-ready deliverable
Depending on the topic and the student's background, the final deliverable may take several forms:
- Research paper
- Technical white paper
- Poster presentation
- Slide deck
- Mission proposal
- Data-analysis notebook
- Policy brief
- Engineering design report
- Portfolio-ready project summary
An honest note: the fellowship does not guarantee publication, competition awards, or college-admissions outcomes. It provides structured mentorship and a serious academic process.
Mentor-guided
One mentor, in your corner, the whole way.
Students work with a mentor who helps them move from broad interest to a focused project. Mentors may have backgrounds in aerospace engineering, robotics, AI, aviation, drones, space systems, physics, data science, or policy.
Shape the questionHelp define a realistic, original research question and recommend the right reading and resources.
Guide the workFeedback on project design, analysis, and writing — encouraging independent, rigorous thinking.
Polish the resultHelp prepare a strong final deliverable and clear technical communication.
Recommended pathway
Enter directly, or build up to it
Students ready for independent research can apply directly. Newer to aerospace? Start with the Lab, then continue into the Fellowship.
StartAerospace Engineering & Mission Design Lab
6-week cohort — flight science, drones, satellites & mission design.
→
Go deeperAerospace Research Fellowship
1:1 mentor-guided research toward a serious deliverable.
→
ExtendAdvanced portfolio
Presentation, science fair, or publication support where appropriate.
Apply now
Aerospace Research Fellowship
$2,500 / student
10–12 weeks · 1:1 or very small-group mentorship · ~60 min/session
+ $400 optional journal publication support
- A mentor matched to your aerospace interest
- 10–12 one-on-one (or very small-group) sessions
- A focused, original aerospace research project
- A research-style deliverable (paper, poster, deck, or project)
- Guidance on analysis, writing & technical communication
- Optional support through publication / presentation (+$400)
- Research Ignited certificate
Questions parents ask
Good to know
Who is this for, and what's the prerequisite?+
High school students (best for grades 10–12; motivated 9th graders considered) who want a serious, mentor-guided aerospace project. No fixed prerequisite — students newer to aerospace often start with the Aerospace Engineering & Mission Design Lab first. Apply and we'll assess fit together.
Does my student need coding or advanced math?+
It depends on the topic. Some projects are data- or AI-heavy; others are systems, policy, or design focused. Your mentor scopes the project to the student's background and goals.
How long does it take?+
Typically 10–12 weeks of 1:1 (or very small-group) sessions, paced to the student. Rolling admission — apply anytime.
Is publication or an award guaranteed?+
No. The fellowship provides structured mentorship and a serious academic process, plus optional presentation/publication guidance — but no program can guarantee publication, competition awards, or admissions outcomes.
How is this different from the Aerospace Lab?+
The Lab is a 6-week cohort course that builds broad aerospace knowledge and a capstone. The Fellowship is a deeper, personalized 1:1 research experience producing an original project — a natural next step after the Lab, or a direct entry for ready students.
Turn your aerospace interest into real research
Apply to be matched with a mentor and develop a focused, portfolio-ready aerospace research project.
Apply Now →