Summer Springboard
Aerospace Engineering
ON THE CAMPUS OF UCLA
LEARN THE FUNDAMENTALS OF FLIGHT MECHANICS EXPLORE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN AERONAUTICAL AND ASTRONAUTICAL ENGINEERING ENGAGE WITH EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONALS IN THE FIELD AND MORE.
Aerospace Engineering @ UCLA
- Learn the fundamentals of flight mechanics, aerodynamics, propulsion systems, and aircraft design.
- Compare aeronautical and astronautical engineering using basic orbital mechanics.
- Engage with aerospace professionals and discuss the latest in flight technology.
- Design, build, and test a glider or small rocket to explore flight principles.
- Explore Southern California’s aerospace industry through company visits and guest speakers.
- Participate in a comprehensive program hosted on the UCLA campus during summer sessions.
Summer Springboard
Aerospace Engineering
About This Course
“With companies like Boeing, SpaceX, Relativity Space, The Aerospace Corporation, Northrop Grumman, and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory – to name a few – located nearby, there’s no better place to launch into the field of Aerospace Engineering than with Summer Springboard in Los Angeles this summer.
Throughout the course, students will explore and unpack various aspects of aerospace engineering, including the history of flight, flights mechanics, system engineering, principles of effective design for aircraft and spacecraft, propulsions systems, aircraft performance, and more. Students will understand the key differences between aeronautical and astronautical engineering and use basic orbital mechanics.
Recommended but not required coursework includes algebra, geometry, trigonometry, calculus, and physics.
Note: Excursions to local aerospace companies will require proof of U.S. Citizenship due to contracts those companies hold with the federal government.
TOPICS YOU'LL EXPLORE
Hands-on Learning
Students will participate in hands-on practical activities based on the topics they are learning, including designing and manipulating their own basic glider airplane or rocket to test certain flight maneuvers/concepts, and perform within certain parameters.
Career Exploration
Students will have the chance to visit companies or organizations in the aerospace engineering industry, as well as hear from experienced professionals in the field. In the past, students have heard from guest speakers affiliated with the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, The Aerospace Corporation, and more.
Note: Excursions to local aerospace companies will require proof of U.S. Citizenship due to contracts those companies hold with the federal government.
RESOURCES
Course Infosheet
Click here to view or download the printable infosheet for this course.
Program Catalog
Click here to request our catalog to learn more about our summer programs and courses.
Campus Page
Click here to view the website page for this campus and learn more.
“The program was amazing for meeting new people from different schools and professionals from different fields. I was able to socialize much more and felt like I was really able to feel the college experience. I also learned much more than I thought I would. Overall, I would very much recommend this program to someone that thinks a subject is interesting but is not sure they want to major in it.””
– Patrick C. | Alumni Student
Summer Springboard
Aerospace Engineering
Meet Your Instructor
Session: 2
Dr. Fabio Bendana is a research scientist in the Propulsion Science department at The Aerospace Corporation, where he leads R&D efforts advancing chemical propulsion for national security and civil space programs.
He serves as principal investigator on multiple experimental projects involving liquid-propellant rocket engines and in-space propulsion systems.
Dr. Bendana also teaches Rocket Propulsion Systems at UCLA, covering combustion thermochemistry, propulsion types, and mission analysis. He earned his Ph.D. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from UCLA and holds dual B.S. degrees in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering from UCI.
He serves on the AIAA Liquid Propulsion Technical Committee and actively mentors students from top institutions nationwide.
DR. FABIO BENDANA
“SSB is a great experience to make friends, learn about college life, and explore possible majors. It really helped me get out of my comfort zone and I made so many amazing friends here.”
– Elise O. | Alumni Student
Meet Your Instructor
Sessions: 1 & 3
Dr. Vincent Phong had received his B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. in mechanical and aerospace engineering from the University of California, Irvine, where his research area focused on methods of identifying and reducing noise from propulsion systems.
While in graduate school, Dr. Phong had instructed courses in aerodynamics, aircraft propulsion and aircraft design. He currently is a propulsion engineer at the Aerospace Corporation, where he conducts applied experimental research to help investigate and mitigate propulsion system technology risk.
His work at Aerospace explores combustion stability of additively manufactured injector designs and material compatibility in high pressure, oxygen-rich environments. Dr. Phong has collaborated with researchers at several universities including MIT and UCLA, industry experts at RTX Corporation, GE Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and government agencies such as NASA and several DoD organizations.
Prior to joining the Aerospace Corporation, Dr. Phong worked at General Atomics, Aeronautical Systems Inc., where he supported next-generation unmanned aircraft system design, component-level propulsion testing, and created a course in acoustics and its multidisciplinary implications on survivable aircraft design.
DR. VINCENT PHONG
“So fun and I loved this experience, definitely will remember this for a long time! I enjoyed the class, making new friends, and weekend excursions. Super amazing experience and a great use of summer time!”
– Julia S. | Alumni Student
Summer Springboard
Aerospace Engineering
Dates & Tuition
| 2025 Dates |
|---|
| Session 1: June 22 – July 4, 2025 |
| Session 2: July 6 – July 18, 2025 |
| Session 3: July 20 – August 1, 2025 |
Click here to enroll in this course using our online enrollment form.
| Tuition |
|---|
| Residential Tuition: $5,998 |
| Commuter Tuition: $3,298 |
Tuition Protection Plan: Allows for cancellation for any reason up until the day of the program.
| Location |
|---|
| City: Los Angeles |
| State: California |
| Campus: UCLA |
Summer Springboard programs are not run by our campus partners (with the exception of Cal Poly and NYSID which are run in partnership with SSB). Universities and their affiliated departments and partners do not control and are not responsible or liable in any manner for any part of the Summer Springboard program.