Astronautical Engineering Undergraduate Program

Istanbul Technical University Astronautical Engineering Undergraduate Program offers a comprehensive engineering education focused on the design, development, analysis, production and operation of crewed and uncrewed spacecraft, satellites, launch systems, mission planning, orbital mechanics, control systems and scientific activities conducted in the space environment.

The program is taught entirely in English and provides students with a strong foundation in engineering, together with experience in applied design, laboratory work, computational engineering and research. Graduates are equipped with the competencies required to work in national and international aerospace, space, defence, information technology and advanced-technology sectors.

About the Program

Astronautical engineering is a broad engineering discipline concerned with providing scientific, technological and economic services and products through activities conducted in the aerospace environment surrounding the Earth. Astronautical engineers design, analyse, develop and operate crewed and uncrewed spacecraft, satellites and the launch vehicles that carry them into orbit.

Astronautical engineers also work on mission and flight-path calculations, spacecraft guidance and control, space communications, the investigation of the effects of the space environment and the performance of scientific experiments.

The ITU Department of Astronautical Engineering was established in 1983 within the Faculty of Aeronautics and Astronautics under its original name, the Department of Space Sciences and Technology. Undergraduate education began in the 1986–1987 academic year. The current name, Department of Astronautical Engineering, has been used since the 1998–1999 academic year.

Main Fields of Education and Study

• Spacecraft and satellite-system design
• Rocket and launch systems
• Space propulsion systems
• Orbital mechanics and celestial mechanics
• Spacecraft dynamics, guidance and control
• Satellite communication systems
• Space environment and space physics
• Aerodynamics and compressible flows
• Space structures, vibrations and mechanisms
• Composite materials and structural analysis
• Heat transfer and spacecraft thermal control
• Computational engineering and numerical methods
• Artificial-intelligence-assisted engineering applications
• Multidisciplinary design and optimisation

Program Profile and Educational Objectives

The primary objective of the program is to educate astronautical engineers who possess a strong foundation in mathematics, science and fundamental engineering, and who can analyse complex space-system problems, conduct engineering design and develop innovative solutions.

Students are expected to apply their theoretical knowledge through design, computation, experimentation, simulation and project work; participate effectively in multidisciplinary teams; and act with an awareness of professional and ethical responsibilities.

Graduates are expected to become engineers who can contribute successfully to production, implementation and research and development activities at national and international levels, while demonstrating creativity, lifelong-learning skills and responsibility towards society and the environment.

Learning Environments and Research Opportunities

Theoretical courses are supported by computer applications, laboratory work, engineering design projects and research activities. After completing their fundamental engineering courses, students progress towards specialised subjects including satellite systems, spacecraft design, rocket systems, orbital mechanics, control, communications, aerodynamics and structural analysis.

The laboratories and research infrastructure within the department allow students to participate in current scientific and technological studies. The principal learning and research environments include:

• Space Systems Design and Test Laboratory
• Aerospace Multidisciplinary Design Optimisation Laboratory
• Trisonic Research Laboratory
• Computational Engineering Laboratory
• Composites and Structures Laboratory
• Artificial Intelligence, Guidance, Navigation and Control Laboratory
• Model-Based Design and Control Laboratory
• Heat and Mass Transfer Laboratory
• Erdi Canbay Mechanics and Vibration Laboratory

Curriculum Structure and Graduation

The program is delivered as a four-year undergraduate degree consisting of eight semesters. The curriculum includes basic sciences, fundamental engineering, compulsory professional courses, professional electives, humanities and social sciences, and engineering design courses.

During the first years, students take fundamental courses such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, programming, statics, dynamics, thermodynamics and mechanics of materials. In the later semesters, students progress to professional courses including aerodynamics, orbital mechanics, the space environment, spacecraft communications, rocket propulsion systems, attitude determination and control, and spacecraft-system design.

To review the current curriculum, visit the ITU Student Information System Astronautical Engineering Curriculum .

Program Outcomes

• Apply knowledge of mathematics, science and engineering to astronautical engineering problems.
• Identify, formulate, analyse and solve complex engineering problems.
• Develop spacecraft, satellite and subsystem designs that meet specified requirements.
• Apply numerical, experimental and computational methods appropriately.
• Design and conduct engineering experiments, analyse data and interpret results.
• Use current engineering software, programming tools and information technologies.
• Work effectively in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
• Communicate effectively in written and spoken form.
• Act with an awareness of professional, societal and ethical responsibilities.
• Recognise the importance of lifelong learning and independently acquire new knowledge.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of Astronautical Engineering can work as engineers, designers, systems engineers, researchers or software developers in the aviation, space, defence, communications, information technology, automotive and advanced-technology sectors.

Principal areas of employment include satellite and spacecraft design, rocket and propulsion systems, mission analysis, orbital calculations, guidance, navigation and control, structural analysis, aerodynamics, communication systems, software development, and research and development.

Graduates may find employment at institutions and companies such as TÜBİTAK UZAY, TÜBİTAK SAGE, the Turkish Space Agency, Turkish Aerospace, ASELSAN, ROKETSAN, HAVELSAN, TEI, TÜRKSAT, Turkish Airlines and similar public- and private-sector organisations.

ABET Accreditation

The ITU Astronautical Engineering Undergraduate Program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. This accreditation demonstrates that the program satisfies internationally recognised quality standards for engineering education.

For further information, please visit the Accreditation page.

International Opportunities

Students can complete part of their education at partner European universities through the Erasmus exchange program. In previous years, the department has maintained student-exchange agreements with universities in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy, the Netherlands and Germany.

For application procedures and the current list of partner institutions, please visit the Erasmus page.

Quotas, Admission Scores and Rankings

Recent central-placement data for the ITU Astronautical Engineering Undergraduate Program are presented below.

Promotional Videos

• 2025 Astronautical Engineering Promotional Video →
• 2022 Astronautical Engineering Promotional Video →
• 2021 Astronautical Engineering Promotional Video →
• Department Presentation →

Other Links

• Program Information Package →
• Current Curriculum →
• Career Opportunities →
• Laboratories →