Purdue University School of Aeronautics and Astronautics

Purdue University School of Aeronautics and Astronautics

Neil Armstrong Hall of Engineering
Established	1945
Head	Tom I-P. Shih
Address	701 W. Stadium Ave. West Lafayette, IN 47907 , West Lafayette , Indiana , USA
Affiliations	Purdue University
Website	http://engineering.purdue.edu/AAE

The Purdue University School of Aeronautics and Astronautics is Purdue University's school of aerospace engineering. The school offers B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in aeronautical and astronautical engineering. Its main office and many of its labs are located in the Neil Armstrong Hall of Engineering.

History

The school was officially established as a separate degree program on July 1, 1945, but elective courses in the field of aeronautical engineering were offered through the School of Mechanical Engineering as early as 1921. The aeronautical engineering option in Mechanical Engineering was offered as a full degree program in 1941, and in 1942, Mechanical Engineering became the "School of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering." The school's present name was adopted in 1973.

Mission Statement

According to the school's website, the mission of the school is:

"To serve the State of Indiana and our Nation by providing degree granting programs - recognized as innovative learning experiences - that prepare students to be exceptional, recognized contributors to aeronautical and astronautical engineering in industry, government laboratories and universities.

"To develop and maintain quality graduate research programs in technical areas relevant to Aeronautics and Astronautics and to foster a collegial and challenging intellectual environment necessary to conduct enabling and breakthrough research for aerospace systems."

Distinguished Alumni

Purdue aerospace has had a long tradition of excellence. Many of its graduates have gone on to become astronauts or other prominent members of the aerospace and defense industry. Purdue University has graduated 22 astronauts, more than any other public institution, and 13 of those hold degrees from the aerospace department. The only non-military institution to graduate more astronauts is the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. One-third of all of NASA's manned space flights have had at least one Purdue graduate aboard, and two of the six American astronauts to fly on the Russian space station Mir held Purdue degrees.

Astronauts with Purdue aerospace degrees:

• Neil A. Armstrong, B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering, 1955
• John E. Blaha, M.S. in Astronautics, 1966
• Roy D. Bridges, Jr., M.S. in Astronautics, 1966
• Mark N. Brown, B.S. in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, 1973
• John H. Casper, M.S. in Astronautics, 1967
• Roger B. Chaffee, B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering, 1957
• Richard O. Covey, M.S. in Aeronautics and Astronautics, 1969
• Guy S. Gardner, M.S. in Aeronautics and Astronautics, 1970
• Gregory J. Harbaugh, B.S. in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, 1978
• Gary E. Payton, M.S. in Aeronautics and Astronautics, 1972
• Mark L. Polansky, B.S., M.S. in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, 1978
• Loren J. Shriver, M.S. in Astronautics, 1968
• Charles D. Walker, B.S. in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, 1971

Other notable Purdue aerospace engineers:

• William H. Gerstenmaier, Associate Administrator for Space Operations for NASA
• David Swain, former President of Boeing Phantom Works

External links

• Purdue Aeronautics and Astronautics