★ College-Level Foundation · Grades 7–12 · No Experience Needed
Aerospace Engineering & Mission Design Lab
Think Like an Aerospace Engineer.
A structured, college-level foundation in aerospace engineering — built to develop strong concepts, accessible to grades 7–12 with no prior experience needed. Every live session pairs a core concept with a hands-on lab on college-level simulators, building to a student-built capstone mission design.
✈️ Included free: our Aviation Opportunity Guide — a roadmap to real-world aviation, including how eligible students can access a no-cost introductory flight and a free online private-pilot ground-school course.
Watch
A quick look at the program
Who teaches it
Taught by aerospace, aviation & STEM experts
Sessions are led by instructors with real backgrounds in aerospace engineering, aviation, drones, or space systems — chosen for their ability to explain advanced ideas clearly, keep sessions interactive, and guide a meaningful capstone.
Meet your instructor — Rakshit
Aerospace Engineer · PhD candidate in Aerospace Engineering (Oklahoma State University) · M.S., Aerospace Controls
Rakshit is an aerospace engineer pursuing a PhD in Aerospace Engineering at Oklahoma State University, with a master's in aerospace controls and a decade designing unmanned aerial systems (drones). His work centers on autonomous guidance, navigation & control — built and validated in MATLAB, Simulink, ROS and Gazebo — with deep expertise in UAV sensors, drone-swarm architectures, and command-and-control (C2) communications. He brings real industry engineering into the classroom, especially the drones & autonomy and mission-design work.
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Real domain expertise
Aerospace, aviation, engineering, robotics, or space-systems backgrounds.
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Built to teach teens
Strong storytelling and visual explanation skills for grades 7–12.
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Project mentors
Experience with simulations, projects, and guiding capstone presentations.
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.
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College-level concepts
A structured foundation of real aerospace engineering ideas, explained in an accessible, story-driven way — no heavy derivations required.
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Simulator labs every session
Each session includes a hands-on lab on college-level flight, orbit, and mission simulators — test ideas and watch the variables change in real time.
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A built capstone
Concepts and labs build to a student-designed capstone mission, defended like a real aerospace engineer.
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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
Choose your pace
Two ways to take it — same curriculum, your pace
Every student completes the same Aerospace Engineering & Mission Design curriculum, the same capstone, and earns the same certificate. Only the pacing changes — pick the format that fits your summer.
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6-Week Cohort
6 weekly sessions · 90 min · Saturdays · ~9 live hours
One topic per week. The capstone develops gradually between sessions — ideal for students who want more reflection time and a lighter weekly commitment.
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1-Week Intensive
5 days · 2 hrs/day · Mon–Fri 1–3 PM ET · ~10 live hours
The same six modules in one focused week, with the capstone built a little each day — a great immersive deep-dive.
- Day 1 — Aerodynamics & flight mechanics
- Day 2 — Aircraft systems, avionics & propulsion
- Day 3 — Weather, navigation & safety
- Day 4 — Drones, autonomy, satellites & orbits
- Day 5 — Mission integration, capstone & defense
Same program · same capstone · same certificate · same tuition. Just a different pace.
What students will learn
Six modules, from flight science to a defended mission concept
Each session pairs a college-level engineering concept with a hands-on simulator lab — and a real student output, building toward the capstone. Take it as a 6-week cohort or a 1-week intensive (see formats above).
Module 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.
Module 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.
Module 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.
Module 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.
Module 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.
Module 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 Simulator LabRun a hands-on lab on college-level simulators — flight, orbit, and mission tools — 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.
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Aerospace Research Fellowship
1:1 mentorship to turn aerospace interest into a real research project.
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AI Robotics & Drone Lab
Build and keep real robots and autonomous drones.
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AI Scholars Program
Our flagship AI/ML foundation — Python to a capstone.
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High School Research Program
1:1 PhD mentorship toward a publishable paper, any field.
Reserve your seat
Aerospace Engineering & Mission Design Lab
$999 / student tuition
Choose your format at checkout — 6-week cohort (90 min/week · ~9 live hrs) or 1-week intensive (Mon–Fri 1–3 PM ET · ~10 live hrs). Same curriculum, capstone & certificate · small cohort (capped ~10–12 students).
- All six modules, delivered live
- Guided aerospace simulations & activities
- Mission design templates
- Capstone project guidance
- Final Capstone Mission Design Defense
- Certificate of completion
Included free with every enrollment
From the simulator to the real runway
Our lab is delivered live online — but learning sticks when students connect it to the real world. So every enrolled family receives our Aviation Opportunity Guide: a step-by-step roadmap showing how eligible students can access independent, real-world aviation experiences — at no cost.
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A free discovery flight
Step-by-step guidance on how eligible youth can locate and apply for a no-cost introductory flight with volunteer pilots through independent national aviation organizations.
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A free pilot ground-school course
How eligible participants can unlock free access to a gold-standard online private-pilot ground school — flight operations, navigation, weather, and aircraft systems, the topics on the FAA private-pilot written exam.
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Cadet programs & scholarships
A roadmap to local youth aviation programs, orientation flights, aerospace education, and flight-training scholarships for students who want to go further.
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These optional experiences let students apply what they build in the lab — aerodynamics, aircraft systems, navigation, weather, simulations, and mission planning — to real-world aviation.
External aviation opportunities are optional, independently operated, and subject to age, membership, geographic availability, scheduling, weather, safety requirements, and the policies of the applicable outside organizations. Research Ignited LLC provides academic instruction, aerospace simulations, project-based learning, and educational pathway guidance. Research Ignited does not operate aircraft, employ pilots, schedule or supervise flights, provide flight instruction, guarantee participation, or control external programs. Families communicate and register directly with the applicable outside organizations.
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.
How do the free discovery flight and free ground-school course work?+
Every enrolled family receives our Aviation Opportunity Guide, which maps out how eligible students can access a no-cost introductory flight and free access to a respected online private-pilot ground-school course through independent national aviation organizations. These pathways are optional and independently operated — subject to each organization's age, membership, location, scheduling, weather, and safety requirements. Research Ignited provides the academic program and the guidance; it does not operate flights, employ pilots, or guarantee participation. Families register directly with the outside organizations.
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.