The Aerospace Engineering department at IIT Kanpur, was established in 1964, The Department came as a decision taken by (late Prof.) Dhawan Committee which predicted the need of large number of Aeronautical Engineers to meet the national needs. IIT Kanpur was conceptualized as an Indo/American collaboration. Aeronautical Engineering was also introduced in the same context.
Some of the professors who played a major role in building this Department in its early days:
- Prof. Holt Ashley
- Prof. Hazen
- Prof. Vrebalovich
- Prof. C.S. Murthy
- Prof. S.M. Ramachandra
- Prof. P.N. Murthy
Following faculty members have also served as Head of Department (HOD) in the past:
- Prof. A. Kushari: 2020-2023
- Prof. A.K. Ghosh: 2017 - 2020
- Prof. S. Mittal: 2014–2017
- Prof. C. Venkatesan: 2011-2014
- Prof. S. Kamle: 2008–2011
- Prof. D. Yadav, Acting Head: 2007-2008
- Prof. R.K. Sullerey: 2005–2007
- Prof. Kunal Ghosh: 2002–2004
- Prof. Vijay Gupta: Jan-March, 2002
- Prof. N. G. R. Iyenger: 1996-2001
- Prof. Krishna Kumar: 1992-1995
- Prof. A. K. Gupta: 1989-1992
- Prof. N. L. Arora: 1986-1989
- Prof. C.S. Murthy: 1984-1986
- Prof. N. G. R. Iyenger: 1983-1984
- Prof. O. P. Sharma: 1980-1983
- Prof. C.S. Murthy: 1977-1980
- Prof. P.N. Murthy: 1974-1977
- Prof. N. C. Nigam: 1973-1974
- Prof. P.N. Murthy: 1970-1973
- Prof. S.M. Ramachandra: 1966-1970
- Prof. C.S. Murthy: 1965-1966
- Prof. Holt Ashley: 1964-1965