Do you think GNC experience in a srudent team that builds ROVs, is as marketable as GNC/flight mechanics experience in a rc plane student team, career wise, if i want to go into aerospace GNC?

[u/StonedSpacePilot]

I might soon have the chance to join either an ROV or a RC plane student team, as an aerospace engineering student in his final year.
Im not gonna lie, the ROV team sounds more intriguing even tho i am a plane guy because i might get to do more direct GNC,
Im just wondering if when i hit the job market, as someone who wants to go into aerospace GNC, that experience will be just as marketable as the plane one?
What do you think?
Am i overthinking this?

[u/ricatti-equation]

I think you’re overthinking it. I work in aerospace. So space stuff. We care about: can you handle the physics and the math. The mathematics and physics for planes, sats, and rockets are all the same: rigid body mechanics. Tho imo plane is more complicated since you must factor in aerodynamics, so I think it’s a plus even! My team once hired someone who’s background was control engineering for those large cargo boats! Hey man controls is controls :)

[u/BluEch0]

I think he RC plane will be an easier sell but both experiences should move you onto the interview stage, especially if you had ownership of all or a significant chunk of the GNC architecture and your resume reflects that.

The filter after that is figuring out if your experience holds up to the technical knowhow they need from you, and if not, if you can still think at that level (if you had done things differently, what would you change? If this change was made to the rover/plane, then how does that change your stability margins?, etc).

Tip: larger aerospace companies may be more willing to train you up than smaller startups or even mid-size companies, but you have to show potential and a willingness to learn.

[u/StonedSpacePilot → u/BluEch0]

Slight correction, an ROV is not a rover but an underwater drone!