“Well, it isn’t rocket science.” We say this about those tasks that anyone should be able to learn. So what is rocket science, anyway? Obviously, it’s the science behind getting rockets into outer space. More formally, rocket science is aerospace engineering.

Rocket science is a field requiring a wide range of knowledge of physics, aerodynamics, mathematics, propulsion dynamics, and other science and math fields. A rocket scientist, or aerospace engineer, may specialize in one or more fields of study, and this will determine what kind of job he or she looks for.

Anything that gets and keeps a spacecraft in outer space is under the rocket science umbrella. For instance, an aerospace engineer who specializes in chemistry and propulsion dynamics may work on a spacecraft’s fuel issues. This person will need to know how much propellant, and what kind, will launch a spacecraft most efficiently.

Rocket science also includes design. Someone had to design the Space Shuttle, and those aerospace engineers specialized in formulating the plans for the world’s first reusable spacecraft. Then metallurgical engineers and their crews took over, deciding what kind of metals would be best for the Shuttle’s body and frame. What should the robot arm be made from? How much weight should it be able to support? How much weight (or payload) could the Shuttle carry and safely launch? All these are elements of rocket science.

Even though the technology is mostly obsolete, viewing the movie Apollo 13 will give someone a good idea of everything rocket science entails. As the call goes around the room for a go/no-go for launch, those at each station answer for their particular responsibility for the spacecraft: booster, retro, electrical and environmental, guidance, flight dynamics, etc. Later in the film, the engineers come up with a solution for fitting the Command Module’s square lithium hydroxide canisters into the round receptacles for the Lunar Module. This project also required a number of specialists in various fields. Most aerospace engineers have master’s degrees, if not doctoral degrees, in their field, so a job in rocket science requires extensive education.

Saying, “Well, it isn’t rocket science” is actually a compliment and tribute to the complexity of the field and to the talent, skills and training needed to be an aerospace engineer.