IIT Delhi conducts GATE 2020 for 24 different papers. Here in this post let us talk about the GATE Aerospace syllabus for this academic year. Aerospace Engineering (AE) is one of the GATE 2020 papers in which huge of candidates appear. Along with the subjects of the AE, candidates will also have to prepare the General Aptitude (GA) which is common in all the papers. This section will cover 10 questions and the remaining 55 questions out of 65 are subject based.
GATE Aerospace Engineering Syllabus
Aerospace Engineering is one of the primary fields of Engineering. AE is associated with the development of spacecraft and aircraft. Candidates who are going to appear in the GATE AE paper will have to check the GATE 2020 Aerospace syllabus to know all the topics so that one can prepare better and score good marks.

The syllabus for Aerospace Engineering (AE) will have the subjects that are divided in to two categories and they are core topics and special topics. However, 90% of the questions will be covered from the core topics and the remaining 10% questions will be asked from the special topics. AE have six different sections or subjects which includes both core topics and special topics. The subjects that are covered under AE are Engineering Mathematics, Flight Mechanics, Space Dynamics, Aerodynamics, Structures and Propulsion. Check the detailed GATE Aerospace Engineering syllabus from the below given tabular form.
GATE Aerospace Syllabus and Pattern 2020
- AE paper syllabus consists of total 6 sections.
- Each section is divided in to two categories – Core topics and Special topics.
- AE paper will have 25 questions that carry 1 mark each i.e., 25 Marks in total and 30 questions that carry 2 marks each i.e., 60 Marks in total.
- GATE 2020 for AE is conducted in online mode.
- AE paper contains MCQ (multiple choice questions) and NAT (Numerical Answer Type) type questions.
- For every incorrect answer in the MCQs, there will be negative marking.
- For incorrect answered questions in the NATs, there is no negative mark.
GATE 2020 Syllabus for Aerospace Engineering
SI. No. |
Subject |
Core Topics |
Special Topics |
1. |
Engineering Mathematics |
Linear Algebra: Vector algebra,Matrix algebra,Systems of linear equations, Rank of a matrix,Eigenvalues and eigenvectors. Calculus: Functions of single variable, Limits, Continuity and differentiability,Mean value theorem,Chain rule, Partial derivatives,Maxima and minima,Gradient,Divergence And curl, Directional derivativesIntegration, Line, Surface and volume integralsTheorems of stokes,Gauss and green Differential Equations: First order linear and nonlinear differential equations, Higher order linear odes with constant coefficients,Partial differential equations and separation of variables methods. |
Fourier Series, LaplaceTransforms, Numerical methods for linear and nonlinear algebraic equations,Numerical integration and differentiation. |
2. |
Flight Mechanics |
Basics: Atmosphere: Properties, standard atmosphere, Classification of aircraft,Airplane (fixed wing aircraft) configuration and various parts. Airplane Performance: Pressure altitude; Equivalent, calibrated, indicated air speeds;Primary flight instruments: Altimeter, ASI, VSI, Turn-bank indicator. Drag polar; Takeoff and landing; Steady climb & descent, absolute and service ceiling; Cruise, cruise climb, endurance or loiter; Load factor, turning flight, V-n diagram; Winds: head, tail & cross winds; Static stability: Angle of attack, sideslip; Roll, pitch & yaw controls; Longitudinal stick fixed & free stability, horizontal tail position and size; Directional stability, vertical tail position and size; Dihedral stability. Wing dihedral, sweep & position; Hinge moments, stick forces; |
Dynamic stability: Euler angles;Equations of motion;Aerodynamic forces and moments, stability & control derivatives;Decoupling of longitudinal and lateral-directional dynamics;Longitudinal modes;Lateral-directional modes. |
3. |
Space Dynamics |
Central force motion, Determination of trajectory and Orbital period in simple cases. |
Orbit transfer, In-plane and out-of-plane. |
4. |
Aerodynamics |
Basic Fluid Mechanics: Conservation laws: Mass, momentum (Integral and differential form);Potential flow theory: sources, sinks, doublets, line vortex and their superposition;Viscosity, Reynolds number. Airfoils and Wings: Airfoil nomenclature; Aerodynamic coefficients: lift, drag and moment; Kutta-Joukoswki theorem; Thin airfoil theory, Kutta condition, starting vortex;Finite wing theory: Induced drag, Prandtl lifting line theory; Critical and drag divergence Mach number. Compressible Flows: Basic concepts of compressibility, Conservation equations;One dimensional compressible flows, Fanno flow, Rayleigh flow; Isentropic flows, normal and oblique shocks, Prandtl-Meyer flow; Flow through nozzles and diffusers. |
Elementary ideas of viscous flows including boundary layers; Wind Tunnel Testing: Measurement and visualization techniques. |
5. |
Structures |
Strength of Materials: States of stress and strain, Stress and strain transformation, Mohr’s Circle, Principal stresses, Three-dimensional Hooke’s law, Plane stress and strain; Failure theories: Maximum stress, Tresca and von Mises; Strain energy, Castigliano’s principles, Analysis of statically determinate and indeterminate trusses and beams, Elastic flexural buckling of columns. Flight vehicle structures: Characteristics of aircraft structures and materials,Torsion, bending and flexural shear of thin-walled sections,Loads on aircraft. Structural Dynamics: Free and forced vibrations of undamped and damped SDOF systems, Free vibrations of undamped 2-DOF systems. |
Vibration of beams,Theory of elasticity: Equilibrium and compatibility equations,Airy’s stress function. |
6. |
Propulsion |
Basics: Thermodynamics, Boundary layers and heat transfer and combustion thermochemistry. Thermodynamics of Aircraft Engines: Thrust, efficiency and engine performance of turbojet, Turboprop, Turbo shaft, Turbofan and ramjet engines, Thrust augmentation of turbojets and turbofan engines.Aerothermodynamics of non-rotating propulsion components such as intakes, Combustor and nozzle. Axial Compressors: Angular momentum, work and compression, Characteristic performance of a single axial compressor stage,Efficiency of the compressor and degree of reaction. Axial Turbines: Axial turbine stage efficiency Centrifugal Compressor: Centrifugal compressor stage dynamics, Inducer, Impeller and Diffuser. Rocket Propulsion: Thrust equation and specific impulse,Vehicle acceleration, Drag,Gravity losses, Multi-staging of rockets. Classification of chemical rockets,Performance of solid and Liquid propellant rockets. |
No Specialpic Topics |
Go through the GATE Aerospace Syllabus and plan your preparation. You can also check the Aerospace Engineering books of GATE available at our site and pick them for preparation. For more updates on GATE 2020 bookmark our site epostbag.com.
Leave a Reply