Specialization
Aerospace PROPULSION

IPSA’s Aerospace Propulsion major trains engineers specialized in space systems, covering key fields such as space mechanics, astrophysics, satellite and launcher design.

This course develops skills in propulsion, thermics, mechanics and trajectory calculations, as well as modeling, simulation, dimensioning and programming applied to space.

Through real-world projects, such as the design of micro-launch vehicle fuel tanks or the optimization of hybrid rocket engines, students in this aerospace propulsion major acquire the expertise sought after by industry players.

The key points

Language

English

Rhythm

full-time or sandwich course (1 week school, 1 week company)

Campus

Paris-Ivry and Toulouse

Duration

2 years

Length of internship

^4th year: 4 months (June to September)
^5th year: 6 months (February to August)

Diploma obtained

CTI-certified engineering degree

Further studies

IPSA offers 70 double degrees in France and abroad, enabling students to acquire dual skills in line with their professional ambitions.

Job opportunities

Propulsion Systems Engineer
CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) Energy Engineer
Aircraft Performance Calculations Engineer
Thermal Engineer

The person in charge of the specialization
AEROSPACE PROPULSION

Campus Paris et Toulouse

Remi Bertossi

Director of Aero 4 and 5 studies – Lecturer and researcher, PhD in thermodynamics/energetics.

photo de BERTOSSI Remi, directeur des études aéro 4 et 5 à l'Ipsa, école aéronautique

photo d'un missile en cours de lancement

More
program

01/7

Systems expertise

Mastering complex systems and manufacturing

The aerospace propulsion major provides skills in automatic control, interface ergonomics and a pragmatic approach to industrialization, integrating additive manufacturing, lifecycle management and enterprise digital tools.

02/7

Technical expertise

In-depth technical expertise in aeronautics and space

Extensive specialization in advanced fluid mechanics, including hypersonic aerodynamics and numerical simulation with a comprehensive approach to structural reliability, vibration and fatigue, essential for ensuring the safety of aerospace vehicles.

03/7

Strategic and ethical issues

Modules focused on tomorrow’s major challenges

To meet the zero-carbon target for 2050 set by the European Union and the aeronautics industry, IPSA has integrated modules dedicated to new sustainable mobility and emerging societal issues into each of its majors.

04/7

English courses

Courses in English for better international integration

Courses in the Aerospace Propulsion specialization major are taught in English, to better grasp the international dimension of the sector.

05/7

Alternating courses

Work-study opportunities on the Paris site

The Aerospace Propulsion major is available as an initial or sandwich course at the Paris site. The work-study option offers study financing by the company, immersion in the professional world and accelerated skills development.

06/7

Professional immersion

An internship for professionalization and entry into the world of work

To round off their studies, which are punctuated by numerous internships, 5th year students take part in a 6-month internship, enabling them to enter the world of work. This internship generally leads to a permanent job offer.

07/7

The project approach

A project and innovation approach

The 5th year encourages the development of an innovative spirit and the ability to solve complex problems in a real-life context, through the IPSA Projects Masters (PMI). These company-driven projects give students the opportunity to work on real-life cases.

Systems expertise

Technical expertise

Strategic and ethical issues

English courses

Alternating courses

Professional immersion

The project approach

The skills targeted by our Aerospace Propulsion Specialization

Designing solid, reliable structures

Optimizing aerodynamics

Improving aerospace engines

Control and monitor systems

Optimize manufacturing and industrialization

Understanding and managing combustion and internal flows

Course pace

Courses

Internship

Sept

Oct

Nov

Déc

Jan

Fév

Mar

Avr

Mai

Jui

Juil

Program
^4th year

Semester 1

Semester 2

Human Sciences and Languages Department –
2 ECTS

99h

Trends & Social Issues in French

12h

Human Factor & HMI – Risk Analysis and Safety

17h

Intensive TOEIC Training for French Students

20h

TOEIC Training for French Students

20h

French Language (FLE) – for International Students

30h

Personal Engagement

Professional Integration” Division 6 ECTS

79h

French Labor & Contract Law

11h

Knowledge & Integration in Industrial Environment

Life Cycle and Eco Conception

10h

Cyber Security Initiation

10h

Project Management Techniques

13h

Reliability: AMDEC Methodology in English

11h

Management Tools – Certification (Excel TOSA and VBA)

16h

Project – 5 ECTS

20H

IPSA Master Project

20h

Final-Year Internship – 30 ECTS

23h

Sociology of Companies and Organizations (in French)

12h

Law of Aerospace Activities

11h

Personal Commitment

Business Knowledge and Professional Integration Department –3 ECTS

51h

Quality – Regulations – Standards – Lean

13h

Principles of Business Strategy

12h

Business Management and Financial Analysis

26h

Aero4 Internship – 6 ECTS

Engineering Sciences – Core Curriculum – 7 ECTS

71h

Graphical Representation of Multiphysical Dynamic Systems

22h

Fundamentals of Aircraft Design and Eco-Design – Industrialization and Production Methods

10h

Flight Mechanics: Flight Qualities

Elective Modules and Introduction to Research and Innovation

38h

Engineering Sciences – Specialization Track – 6 ECTS

83h

Fluid Dynamics

27h

Electrical Production and Hydrogen

17h

Plate and Shell Theory

22h

Numerical Methods in Structural Mechanics (FEM)

17h

Aeronautics and Space Department – 5 ECTS

95h

CAD: CATIA Parameterization:

19h

Composite and Metallic Materials

34h

Aeronautical Structures Design

13h

Advanced Materials

29h

Focus on internships

^4th year

Status : Mandatory
Subject : Engineering assistant
Duration : 4 months – June to September

Course pace

Courses

Internship

Sept

Oct

Nov

Déc

Jan

Fév

Mar

Avr

Mai

Jui

Juil

Program
^5th year

Semester 1

Semester 2

Human Sciences and Languages Department –
2 ECTS

99h

Trends & Social Issues in French

12h

Human Factor & HMI – Risk Analysis and Safety

17h

Intensive TOEIC Training for French Students

20h

TOEIC Training for French Students

20h

French Language (FLE) – for International Students

30h

Personal Engagement

Professional Integration” Division 6 ECTS

79h

French Labor & Contract Law

11h

Knowledge & Integration in Industrial Environment

Life Cycle and Eco Conception

10h

Cyber Security Initiation

10h

Project Management Techniques

13h

Reliability: AMDEC Methodology in English

11h

Management Tools – Certification (Excel TOSA and VBA)

16h

Project – 5 ECTS

20H

IPSA Master Project

20h

“VEHICLES specialization – 7 ECTS

100h

Hypersonic Aerodynamics Introduction

26h

Vibration Dynamics of Plates and Shells

22h

Reliability & Fatigue of Structures

13h

Airborne and Ground Payload

21h

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)

18h

Specialization EMO “Energetics and Motorization – 10 ECTS

146h

Turbomachineryand Design Project for a Turbojet Reactor

44h

Combustion

16h

Space Propulsion Systems

26h

Introduction to Electrical Propulsion

Numerical Calculations in Heat Transfer

13h

Aeroacoustics

22h

Turbulence

16h

Final-Year Internship – 30 ECTS

Focus on internships

^5th year

Status : Mandatory
Subject : Engineering internship
Duration : 6 months – February to August

Preservation of Cfm56-5b and Pw500g Type Engines

Getting started with the CNES software, study of the axial thrust of the Prometheus engine turbopumps

Production of summaries of findings during inspections after engine engineering tests

Project examples
students

– Thermal simulation of electronic component dissipation in a space environment
– Study, design and experimental validation of a rocket engine injection system
– Numerical simulation of a reactor cooling model