The Daytona Beach Department of Aerospace Engineering is the largest of its kind in the country, with more than 2,400 students across its B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. programs. Known for academic excellence, diversity and hands-on experience, the department prepares students to become leaders in aviation, space and beyond.
Through labs, design projects and a year-long capstone, students turn theory into practice — designing, building and testing aerospace systems in state-of-the-art facilities that mirror real industry environments. Students collaborate with faculty on innovative research that advances flight and space technologies, gaining firsthand experience in discovery and innovation that drives the future of aerospace.
Embry-Riddle’s flexible aerospace degree pathways — from undergraduate through doctoral programs — allow students to tailor their education, pursue advanced study and prepare for leadership roles in the aerospace industry. Students can use Pathways to advance through B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. accelerated options.
Degrees and Programs
Explore flight and space systems through aerodynamics, propulsion, structures and controls. Apply engineering methods in labs, design projects that advance aircraft performance and contribute to the future of space exploration.
Focus on the engineering that powers next-generation autonomous vehicles. Study control systems, sensor integration and mission reliability to design technologies that expand how humans and machines work together.
Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems Engineering program photo
The College of Engineering is a leader in research innovation, advancing knowledge that shapes the aerospace industry and beyond. Our faculty and students pursue basic, applied and translational research that transforms ideas into real-world solutions.
With a focus on mentored undergraduate and graduate research, interdisciplinary collaboration and industry partnerships, we cultivate an environment of creativity and impact — preparing engineers who shape the future through innovation and ingenuity.
College Labs
College Labs
Labs and facilities available to Aerospace Engineering students span wind tunnels, propulsion and structures labs, spacecraft and autonomy facilities, maker spaces and more.
Past and current research covers aeroacoustics, aerodynamics and propulsion, dynamics and control, structures and materials, space systems, astrodynamics and planetary robotics.
I feel like I’ve built an Embry‑Riddle family here, and they each have had a key role in my success, from late nights studying in the Lehman Building to club meetings and even the occasional beach day.”
Noah Evans (’27), B.S. Aerospace Engineering
Advancing Autonomous Flight Through Intelligent Systems
See how Embry-Riddle’s Advanced Dynamics and Control group is pushing aerospace forward with AI-driven autonomy, GPS-independent navigation and resilient system design. Watch how students and researchers collaborate across disciplines to solve complex challenges and build smarter, safer aircraft.
Capstone tracks in aircraft, spacecraft and propulsion
Research access for undergrads and grads
Strong internships and co-ops
Modern facilities like the MicaPlex and Lehman Building
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)
AIAA is the world’s largest professional society devoted to the progress of engineering and science in aviation, space and defense. As one of over 190 AIAA student branches located around the world, the Embry‑Riddle branch enables students to participate in team-based technical projects, attend professional activities, take trips to local aerospace companies such as NASA and Piper Aircraft, network with students and industry professionals, and much more.
The AIAA Design, Build and Fly (DBF) competition provides students with the opportunity to apply aircraft design experience toward a specific mission in a team competition that takes place every year. Student teams design, fabricate and demonstrate the flight capabilities of an unmanned, electric-powered, radio-controlled aircraft designed to meet the mission requirements. The Embry-Riddle team earned 1st place in the 2024 DBF competition, with 100-plus teams competing. Embry-Riddle placed in the top three teams for three years in a row, from 2022-2024, which is unprecedented.
EagleCam is a student-led project in which a camera was designed to take the first third-person images of a spacecraft as it makes an extraterrestrial landing. The team includes students studying aerospace engineering, computer science, electrical and software engineering, and business. EagleCam flew on the Intuitive Machines Odysseus lander, which landed on the moon in February of 2024, making it the first university student-built payload on the moon. Due to the challenges of the off-nominal landing configuration of the Odysseus lander, EagleCam was not deployed as planned, but the project was overall a remarkable success and an invaluable experience for the students.
Embry‑Riddle Future Space Explorers and Developers Society (ERFSEDS)
The Embry‑Riddle Future Space Explorers and Developers Society (ERFSEDS) is the largest student rocketry club on campus, with a focus on designing, building and flying high-powered rockets. ERFSEDS has been diligently working toward successful launches, with Artemis attending Spaceport 2024 and launching their competition rocket. They have been developing a test vehicle to ensure a successful flight at the next competition. Project Prometheus has continued to both create and test their solid motors, testing three times in the past year in collaboration with Embry‑Riddle's Aviation Maintenance Science Department. Currently, they are investigating new formulations to scale up to larger motors in the coming semesters. Advanced Composites Manufacturing and Engineering has been experimenting with advanced composites manufacturing techniques and will fly their in-house components in the upcoming rocket launches. Project Kleos, ERFSEDS' rocket controls project, has finished prototyping their control system and is implementing it onto an airframe to fly this semester. Project Zephyr has been repairing their supersonic recovery system after its initial flight and are finalizing ground testing of the launch vehicle before flying their rocket this semester.
The Experimental Rocket Propulsion Lab (ERPL) is a student-run organization dedicated to designing, building and testing experimental rocket engines. Students experience hands-on learning through a wide range of projects spanning solids, liquids, hybrids and flight controls. 2024 marked an exciting time for the ERPL. Over the course of the year, ERPL assembled and tested its bi-propellant feed system, Draco. In November 2024, ERPL successfully hot-fired its liquid rocket engine, Juno, which produced over 300 pounds of thrust. This achievement is the first time in over a decade that a liquid rocket has been successfully tested at the Daytona Beach Campus and establishes Embry‑Riddle among the top universities in the nation for rocket propulsion. Over the course of a year, ERPL performed six-plus major operations, most of which happened at Cecil Spaceport in Jacksonville, rapidly accelerating its rate of operations. Most of these testing campaigns were made possible through testing support at Cecil Spaceport in Jacksonville, Florida. Additionally, ERPL has been busy designing its new high-altitude liquid bi-propellant rocket, MOE, which will set the world record for the highest collegiate liquid rocket launch. Thanks to these valuable experiences, ERPL members have secured internships and full-time positions at companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, Firefly and more.
The student club XJEP serves as an outlet for Embry-Riddle students to gain hands-on experience in air-breathing propulsion and jet engines. The club, currently with over 150 student members, recently presented conference papers at the AIAA SciTech conference in January 2024 in Orlando, Florida. Student researchers presented work related to their design and testing of a novel afterburner and variable nozzle system for their JetCAT P300pro turbojet engine. The largest current XJEP project is Aether, which aims to create a jet engine from scratch and further expand to a family of engines. Research for the afterburner continues now that an actuating converging-diverging nozzle has been designed that achieves supersonic flow. At the same time, a recuperator is being designed along with Initium, a freshman-oriented project that has multiple smaller projects, such as a test cell, an electric ducted fan and a pulse jet. XJEP also got its first corporate sponsor, CFturbo, a turbine design software used in industry, enhancing the capabilities and training of members.
The Embry‑Riddle Orbital Research Association (ERORA) serves to lay the groundwork for future research in orbit using experimental satellites, providing students with industry-applicable experience for satellite design, manufacturing and operations. ERORA has several projects that focus on CubeSat design and deployment.
Embry‑Riddle Search and Rescue Technologies (SARTEC)
The Search and Rescue Technologies Club (SARTEC) at Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University provides students with hands-on experience in designing, building and testing UAVs for real-world search and rescue (SAR) applications. Open to students of all disciplines and experience levels, SARTEC fosters a collaborative learning environment where those new to aerospace engineering can gain foundational skills while more advanced students tackle complex design challenges. The club’s current project focuses on a deployable UAV equipped with thermal imaging to locate distressed individuals, assess their condition and communicate with ground teams in real time. To enhance its effectiveness, SARTEC is also investigating how aerial SAR systems interact with ground- and water-based rescue operations, ensuring seamless integration between UAVs and other search and rescue vehicles.
In addition to technical projects, SARTEC engages in outreach through the National Engineers Week Egg Drop Challenge, RC aircraft flights and collaborations with the local elementary schools, providing a valuable platform for both learning and innovation in SAR technologies.
The Co-op/Internship program provides students with practical experience that reinforces the theoretical concepts learned in the classroom. The Co-op/Internship program aids in bridging the gap between student life and the world of work. This program combines students' academic and career interests with work experience in business, industry, government or service organizations. Key elements of the Co-op/Internship program experience are:
Engineering work assignments in areas related to aerospace engineering
Supervision and evaluation of performance by engineers
Completion of learning objectives designed to relate aerospace engineering studies to the work world
Benefits to Students
Provides engineering work experience that is relevant to aerospace engineering and a student’s career goals
Helps to define career goals so that more realistic engineering job choices can be made
Establishes valuable professional contacts and broadens engineering job opportunities after graduation
May provide income to help with college expenses
Increases self-confidence and interpersonal skills
Enhances motivation and classroom participation by relating academics to the work world
Offers the potential to earn one college credit for every 100 hours worked, to a maximum of six credit hours per semester for undergraduate students. Graduate students can earn one credit hour for every 200 hours worked, up to a maximum of three credit hours over the duration of their program of study. The AE Department Chair, through the AE faculty Co-op advisor, determines the suitability of potential Co-ops/Internships. Credit for approved experience is awarded toward the required technical elective courses.
Eligibility for AE Undergraduate Students
Have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher
Have completed 30 university or college credit hours; if a transfer student, have completed at least 12 credit hours at Embry‑Riddle in addition to meeting other requirements
Remain in good academic standing throughout their participation in the Co-op/Internship program
Eligibility for AE Graduate Students
Have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
Recent AE Student Co-op Employers
AAR Corp.
Advanced Composite Solutions
Aerospace Corp.
Continental Airlines
Delta Air Lines
Gulfstream Aerospace
Jacobs Technology
Lockheed Martin
MTU Engines
NASA
Piper Aircraft
Rolls-Royce
SuperJet International
United Space Alliance
US Airways
World Airways
XCOR Aerospace
Program Spotlight
Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering
The Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering degree program allows highly motivated students with a strong science and engineering background to conduct research and coursework in the areas of aerospace structures, propulsion, and aerodynamic systems, while earning their doctoral degree.
AeroNews gives you an inside look at what’s happening in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at ݮƵ. From groundbreaking research and major grant funding to student projects, faculty accomplishments and key milestones, this publication highlights the work shaping the future of aerospace. Explore how innovation is happening in real time and see the impact our students and faculty are making.
Contact Us
Daytona Beach Campus
College of Engineering
1 Aerospace Boulevard
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
