Aerospace is entering its green revolution. From hydrogen propulsion to AI-driven aircraft design, engineers are reshaping the skies. As the world pushes toward net-zero emissions, innovation in aviation and space technologies is accelerating faster than ever.
At ESILV Engineering School, the MSc Aeronautical & Aerospatial Engineering trains future-ready engineers to tackle sustainability challenges through simulation, digital twins, and AI-powered modeling. ESILV students learn to design smarter, cleaner aircraft and defense systems for a carbon-neutral future.
1. Hydrogen & Electric Propulsion Systems
Aviation accounts for 2–3% of global CO₂ emissions, and that share is growing. Decarbonizing air travel is no longer optional, but one of the biggest engineering challenges of the 21st century. Hydrogen and electric propulsion are at the center of this transformation.
These technologies offer the promise of zero-emission or ultra-low-emission aircraft, opening new frontiers for engineers trained in energy systems, aerodynamics, simulation, and materials science.
At ESILV, students simulate hybrid aircraft and fuel-cell engines using ANSYS Fluent, MATLAB, and CATIA, gaining hands-on experience with real-world design challenges. This training opens doors to roles such as propulsion engineer and energy systems designer, vital in the race to build sustainable flight technology.
2. AI-Powered Simulation & Digital Twins
Artificial Intelligence and digital twin technology are revolutionizing how aircraft are designed and maintained. Instead of building physical prototypes or waiting for real-flight data, engineers can now predict behavior, optimize performance, and detect failures long before an aircraft takes off.
ESILV’s coursework in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and AI-driven modeling enables students to simulate full-scale aircraft behavior, predict failures, and optimize eco-design.
From predictive maintenance to flight-path optimization that reduces CO₂ emissions, this expertise ensures graduates can engineer efficiency at every stage of the aircraft life cycle.
3. Lightweight Composite Materials & 3D Printing
As aerospace engineers push for lighter, stronger, and more energy-efficient aircraft, advanced composite materials and additive manufacturing (3D printing) have become essential technologies. They enable dramatic weight reductions, enhanced structural performance, and greener production methods, making them central to sustainable aviation in 2025 and beyond.
ESILV students work in advanced labs using Altair, Abaqus, and CATIA, replicating the R&D environments of industry leaders. These skills pave the way for careers as structural simulation engineers and R&D materials scientists, contributing to next-generation aircraft that are both strong and sustainable.
4. Autonomous & Smart Defense Systems
Defense systems are undergoing a profound transformation. What once relied on manual control, human-only decision-making, and rigid hardware is now evolving into intelligent, autonomous, interconnected ecosystems capable of operating with unprecedented efficiency, precision, and safety.
With courses on space systems governance, ESILV also integrates ethics and security into the design of future defense systems—empowering graduates to innovate safely in one of the world’s fastest-growing tech sectors.
From UAV swarms to AI-based threat detection, the future of defense is smart, adaptive, and data-driven — making it one of the most dynamic fields for young engineers entering the aerospace industry.
5. Sustainable Space Operations & Governance
As the space sector enters a new era driven by commercial launches, satellite constellations, defense needs, and planetary observation, sustainability and governance have become as critical as propulsion and materials engineering. This is where sustainable space operations & governance come into play: the intersection of advanced engineering, environmental responsibility, and global regulation.
At ESILV, the Aeronautical & Aerospatial Engineering programme bridges technology with policy and sustainability, preparing engineers to design eco-responsible space missions. Students gain both technical and regulatory insight—skills essential for the governance of sustainable orbital operations.
Career Outlook: Building a Sustainable Aerospace Future
Graduates from ESILV’s MSc Aeronautical & Aerospatial Engineering enter an expanding job market that prizes sustainability and innovation. Careers include aerospace and defense engineer, propulsion specialist, systems analyst, or sustainability officer in leading companies.
The average aerospace engineer salary in France ranges from €50,000 to €80,000, with even higher earnings internationally. ESILV’s 93 % employment rate and partnerships with Airbus, Dassault Aviation, and Safran ensure students graduate with both skills and industry connections.
At ESILV, engineers shaping tomorrow’s aerospace industry aren’t just coding or designing. They’re reinventing how humanity takes flight. Merging innovation, ethics, and employability, ESILV empowers the next generation to build a sustainable future for aviation and defense.
More about the MSc Aeronautical & Aerospatial Engineering