Aerospace engineering
Aerospace engineering research at The University of Manchester drives innovation in sustainable aviation, aerial robotics and space technology – advancing global transport, climate goals, and scientific exploration.
World-class experimental facilities – including two national wind tunnel facilities.
Pioneers in sustainable aerospace, leading research into low-carbon air and space technologies.
Proven spaceflight heritage including the design, build, and operation of the SOAR satellite.
Strong industry collaboration – partnerships with major aerospace companies for real-world impact.
Creating a cleaner world
At Manchester, our aerospace engineering research tackles real-world challenges - from sustainable aviation to space exploration - through strategic, cross-disciplinary collaboration.
With world-leading expertise and strong industry ties, we drive transformative solutions that impact global mobility, climate goals, and technological progress. Our work doesn’t just advance aerospace - it helps shape a cleaner, safer, and more connected future.
Our research is about more than aircraft and spacecraft. It’s about solving the big challenges facing our world. From cleaner skies to safer space travel, we’re driven by the real-world impact our work can have on people’s lives and the planet.
Kate Smith - Group Lead and Reader in Aerospace Engineering
Research
Our areas of research
Advanced aerodynamics and hypersonic technologies
Our research spans the full spectrum of aerodynamics, from improving the efficiency of everyday aircraft to unlocking the physics of hypersonic flight. Using state-of-the-art wind tunnel facilities and high-fidelity simulations, we investigate flow control, turbulence, and aerodynamic performance across a wide range of speeds.
In the hypersonic regime, we focus on shockwave behaviour and vehicle stability, critical to the future of ultra-fast transport and atmospheric re-entry. This work drives innovation in civil aviation, defence, and space access, enabling faster, greener, and more resilient air and space systems.
Advanced air mobility and propulsion
We are pioneering next-generation flight systems for urban air mobility and regional transport. This research is transforming how people and goods move, helping to decarbonise aviation and reduce noise pollution in urban environments.
By combining cutting-edge innovative aerodynamics research and propulsion design, our work supports the shift toward cleaner, more accessible air transport worldwide.
Autonomous flight systems
We develop robust autonomous aerial systems that can operate safely and reliably in complex, real-world environments. Our research covers both fixed-wing and rotorcraft platforms. From autonomous drones used in disaster response to long-endurance unmanned aircraft for environmental monitoring, our work ensures these systems can adapt to changing conditions, and complete missions with minimal human intervention.
This research is shaping the future of aviation by enhancing safety, efficiency, environmental responsibility and operational reach across civilian and defence applications.
Spacecraft systems and orbital sustainability
We are leading innovative research into spacecraft systems refined for Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO), where satellites can offer higher-resolution imaging and lower latency communications. Our work focuses on designing drag-tolerant and advanced propulsion systems to maintain stable orbits in this challenging environment.
Alongside this, we develop technologies to actively manage and mitigate space debris. As satellite constellations grow, our research supports a more sustainable and secure orbital future ensuring vital space infrastructure continues to serve climate monitoring, communication, and navigation needs for decades to come.
Space robotics for planetary exploration
Our research is advancing autonomous robotic systems and technologies for in-situ resource utilisation (ISRU), enabling sustainable human and robotic exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We focus on systems that can extract and process local resources, such as oxygen from lunar regolith or fuel from Martian CO₂, to support long-duration missions. Our robotic platforms are designed for harsh, remote environments, integrating mobility, manipulation, and autonomy for tasks like excavation, construction, and maintenance.
This work is critical to reducing mission costs, increasing resilience, and making off-world habitats and science more feasible for future space exploration.
Study with us
Your career in aerospace engineering starts here!
We are open to top applicants who want to pursue study in aerospace engineering:
- PhD in Aerospace Engineering. Please review the expertise and interest of our staff members and apply online for a PhD place.
- MSc Aerospace Engineering
- Undergraduate courses in Aerospace Engineering
Study highlight
Aerospace Field Course: Our Aerospace Field Course offers hands-on experience with cutting-edge aerospace technologies, fostering practical skills in real-world environments and industry settings.
Connect with us
Our people
- Nicholas Bojdo - Senior Lecturer in Aerospace Engineering
- Timothy Carew - Knowledge Exchange Research Fellow (Applied Aerodynamics)
- Nicholas Crisp - Lecturer in Space Systems
- William Crowther - Professor of Aerospace Engineering
- Antonino Filippone - Professor of Computational Aerodynamics
- Peter Hollingsworth - Senior Lecturer
- Pawel Ladosz - Lecturer in Engineering Systems For Robotics
- Ciara Mcgrath - Lecturer in Space Systems
- Mostafa Nabawy - Reader in Aerospace Engineering
- Ben Parslew - Reader in Aerospace Engineering
- Mark Quinn - Reader in Aerospace Engineering
- Peter Roberts - Reader in Spacecraft Engineering
- Kate Smith - Professor in Space Technology
- Sergey Utyuzhnikov - Reader in Aerospace Engineering
- Kieran Wood - Lecturer in Aerospace Engineering
- Andrew Kennaugh - Senior Technical Specialist in Aerodynamics
- Ian Lunnon - Technical Specialist in Uncrewed Aerial Systems
- Conor Marsh - Technical Specialist in Synthetic Test Environments
- Ozgun Ozer - Technical Specialist in Avionics and Aerospace
- Peter Yates - Technical Specialist in Non-ambient Environments