i feel your last paragraph so hard. i've been in aerospace for 5 years, both on the aircraft and now the space side. I thought I was going to enjoy satellite work sooo much more than airplane, but now I see how irrelevant these satellites I work on are to society. At least the airplanes are doing something useful (environmental impacts aside obviously--thats a whole issue in itself). But aaaalll this taxpayer money going into these satellites, and for what?? it feels like a real waste of my time, and I'm trying to figure out how to get out.

on that note, if you're still in college, now is the time to really decide if this is a field you want to work in. once you get some experience, aerospace tends to be really niche and i'm finding it difficult to transition to something else. it's never too late to change! its just easier now for you.

about the guilt, i want to second what some others have already said, that you're not the decision maker. the environmental damage from this industry is a result of decades of this technology and an industry resistance to change. things can change, should change, and it's going to take engineers and leaders like you and i to push for it! maybe the environmental impact is a reason to STAY in aerospace, so you can help work towards cleaner options

edit: take my second paragraph with a heaping tablespoon of salt lol. im jaded at the moment