Students in a mock launch control center

Bachelor of Science in
Space Operations

The Bachelor of Science in Space Operations focuses on mission operations, payload integration, space research, human factors and space policy.

About the Bachelor of Science in Space Operations

At Embry-Riddle, the Bachelor of Science in Space Operations connects principles from both the space industry and regulatory agencies, teaching you to solve challenges in disciplines such as mission operations, mission training and launch licensing. The interdisciplinary nature of a degree in space operations prepares you to integrate the many different factors involved in space operations into real-world scenarios after graduation.

This non-engineering degree program has been developed in collaboration with the commercial space industry and affiliated space agencies, such as NASA and the FAA-Commercial Transportation Office (FAA-AST), to ensure that you develop the skills needed for success and advancement in the space industry.

Why You Should Study This Degree

Space operations focuses on the exploration and management of outer space, including launching satellites, operating spacecraft and conducting scientific research. A career in space operations may be for you if you like:

Learning about space missions.
Exploring planetary science and the wonders of the cosmos
Studying, building and operating satellites.
Researching forces and motion in space.

Student Learning Outcomes

Opportunities you will have as a space operations major:

Creating space mission design, planning or execution relevant to current industry practices.
Evaluating spacecraft systems, applications, sustainability and safety practices within the space operations industry.
Analyzing human spaceflight history, life support implications and training regimens from historical and contemporary programs.
Analyzing space policy development and application to space activity.
Identifying space mission history, program development and evolution to current trends.

Space Operations Career Opportunities

Careers and Employers

Setting a standard of success, Embry-Riddle graduates are set to enter the workforce with a placement rate of 93.8% within a year of graduation, often finding roles with industry leaders such as:

NASA Mission Control (Houston)
Blue Origin
Northrop Grumman
Airbus (OneWeb) Satellite
SpaceX

Graduates with a space industry degree often secure roles as:

Launch Operations Engineers
Satellite Console Operators
Space Systems Engineers
Space Suit Engineers

Space Operations Salary Information

A degree from Embry-Riddle provides the opportunity for competitive salaries in the space industry, averaging $78,500 annually, as of 2022.

DETAILS

About Space Operations at the Daytona Beach, FL Campus

The Bachelor of Science in Space Operations at Embry-Riddle is a unique opportunity for non-engineers to join the space industry. This interdisciplinary program focuses on operations, safety, training, human factors, policy and planning in the ever-evolving fields of space research, exploration and more. In this program, you will gain the skills needed to effectively handle space mission operations, management, policy and planning within the space industry.

The program covers a wide range of spaceflight training areas, including space mission safety, research, risk assessment, space vehicle regulations and spaceport regulations. Through a degree in Space Operations, you will gain insight into the world of public, private and cooperative space flight.

Space Operations Information

Credits: 120
Online or In-Person: In-Person
Capstone: Senior Project (3 credits)

Helpful Links

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Discover the Department's Faculty
Explore the Fields of Study: Applied Science and Space
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Student Learning Outcomes

Students will:

Create space mission design, planning, or execution relevant to current industry practices.
Evaluate spacecraft systems, applications, sustainability, and safety practices within the space operations industry.
Analyze human spaceflight history, life support implications, and training regimens from historical and contemporary programs.
Analyze space policy development and application to space activity.
Identify space mission history, program development, and evolution to current trends.

General Education Requirements

For a full description of Embry-Riddle General Education guidelines, please see the General Education section of this catalog. These minimum requirements are applicable to all degree programs.

The general education component of the Space Operations degree follows the general guidelines for ERAU undergraduate programs for a total of 38 credits.

Communications Theory and Skills (COM 122, COM 219, COM 221)		9
Lower-Level Humanities		3
Lower-Level Social Sciences (PSY 101)		3
Lower or Upper-Level Humanities or Social Sciences		3
Upper-Level Humanities or Social Sciences		3
Computer Science		3
Mathematics (MA 111, MA 112 or equivalent)		6
Physical and Life Sciences (PS 113, PS 113L)		4
PS/BIO/CHM 100-400 Level Lecture and Laboratory		4
Total Credits		38

Space Operations Core Requirements

UNIV 101	College Success	1
Space Operations Required Courses		24
SP 110	Introduction to Space Flight
SP 230	Space Policy and Law - History
SP 300	Satellite and Spacecraft Systems
SP 351	Fundamentals of Space Policy and Regulation
SP 400	Introduction to Space Navigation
SP 410	Space Operations Planning and Analysis
SP 460	Applied Spaceflight Policy and Regulation
SP 490	Senior Space Operations Project
Choose two courses:		6
SP 200	Planetary and Space Exploration
SP 210	Space Transportation System
SP 215	Space Station Systems and Operations
SP 220	Life Support Systems
Choose one course:		3
SP 330	Spaceflight and Operations Training
SP 340	Russian Space Operations and Technology
SP 390	Payloads and Integration
CEC/CS/MA/SE/SYS 300-400 Level Course
Total Credits		34

Program Support

BA 201	Principles of Management	3
BA 424	Project Management in Aviation Operations	3
BA 452	Lean Six-Sigma in Aviation and Aerospace	3
CS 118	Fundamentals of Computer Programming	3
EGR 115	Introduction to Computing for Engineers	3
HF 300	Human Factors I: Principles and Fundamentals	3
MA 222	Business Statistics	3
or MA 412	Probability and Statistics
SF 210	Introduction to Aerospace Safety	3
Total Credits		24

Approved Minor

15-20

Students must declare and complete one approved minor. Total credits in the minor vary, depending on the minor chosen. In cases where individual minor courses are also required by the major, additional open elective credits will become available. Approved minors include:

Minors
Minors	Required Credits
Applied Mathematics	20
Aviation Law	15
Computer Science	16
Human Factors	15
Project Management	15
Systems Engineering	15

Open Electives

Open elective hours may vary depending on declared minor.
Open Electives		4-9

Total Degree Credits

120

Suggested Plan of Study

Year One
Fall		Credits
COM 122	English Composition	3
BA 125	Foundations in Business Data Analytics	3
MA 111	Pre-Calculus for Aviation	3
or MA 143	Precalculus Essentials
SF 210	Introduction to Aerospace Safety	3
SP 110	Introduction to Space Flight	3
UNIV 101	College Success	1
	Credits Subtotal	16.0
Spring
MA 112	Applied Calculus for Aviation	3
or MA 241	Calculus and Analytical Geometry I
PS 113	Introductory Physics I	3
or PS 150	Physics for Engineers I
or PS 226	Physics I
PS 113L	Introductory Physics I Laboratory	1
or PS 226L	Physics I Laboratory
PSY 101	Introduction to Psychology	3
	HU 14X Elective	3
	SP 2XX Elective	3
	Credits Subtotal	16.0
Year Two
Fall
COM 221	Technical Report Writing	3
HF 300	Human Factors I: Principles and Fundamentals	3
	PS/BIO/CHM 100-400 Level Lecture	3
	PS/BIO/CHM 100-400 Level Laboratory	1
	SP 2XX Elective	3
	Minor/Open Elective	3
	Credits Subtotal	16.0
Spring
SP 230	Space Policy and Law - History	3
COM 219	Speech	3
EGR 115	Introduction to Computing for Engineers	3
MA 222	Business Statistics	3
or MA 412	Probability and Statistics
	Minor/Open Elective	3
	Credits Subtotal	15.0
Year Three
Fall
BA 201	Principles of Management	3
SP 300	Satellite and Spacecraft Systems	3
	HU/SS Lower or Upper Level Elective	3
	SP 3XX Elective (or CEC/CS/MA/SE/SYS 300-400 Level Course)	3
	Minor/Open Elective	3
	Credits Subtotal	15.0
Spring
SP 351	Fundamentals of Space Policy and Regulation	3
SP 400	Introduction to Space Navigation	3
CS 118	Fundamentals of Computer Programming	3
BA 452	Lean Six-Sigma in Aviation and Aerospace	3
	Minor/Open Elective	3
	Credits Subtotal	15.0
Year Four
Fall
SP 410	Space Operations Planning and Analysis	3
SP 460	Applied Spaceflight Policy and Regulation	3
BA 424	Project Management in Aviation Operations	3
	Minor/Open Elective	3
	Minor/Open Elective	3
	Credits Subtotal	15.0
Spring
SP 490	Senior Space Operations Project	3
	HU/SS Upper Level Elective	3
	Minor/Open Elective	3
	Minor/Open Elective	3
	Credits Subtotal	12.0
	Credits Total:	120.0

For course descriptions, education requirements, curriculum, and suggested plan of study, please see the Bachelor of Science in Spaceflight Operations in the Daytona Beach Catalog.