In the 1960s many young people in the United States were inspired to pursue aerospace-related careers because of the U.S. commitment to send humans to the Moon. Universities saw an influx of enthusiastic students ready to take on the challenges of the Apollo program. Six Apollo Moon landings brought twelve astronauts to explore the lunar surface. But Moonwalkers are prehistory to students in the twenty-first century. Consequently, universities today put forth the challenge of a human mission to Mars to attract students.

Rapid advances in technology and computers have influenced more students to pursue courses of study in the sciences and space-related engineering and technology programs. Many computer experts who lost their jobs in the crash of the "dot-com" industry subsequently explored the field of aerospace engineering. Even if students do not decide on a space-related career, an aerospace engineering degree provides them with a wide variety...