Space
Fields of Study
Embry-Riddle Advantage
In the coming years, all aspects of the study of space will undergo astronomical changes as space tourism is introduced and exploration continues. With this comes the need for a new generation of space professionals.
Embry-Riddle’s storied history in flight education positioned it to become a pioneering institution for the study of space-related endeavors. It attracts faculty and students who share a passion for not only aviation but for its younger counterpart — aerospace.
Embry-Riddle offers space-related degree programs that include Astronomy and Astrophysics, Space Physics, and Commercial Space Operations. Because Embry-Riddle is a community of students and faculty bound by its focus and shared passions, students benefit from building relationships with fellow students, faculty, industrial professionals, and from alliances with organizations and companies including NASA, United Space Alliance, SpaceX, The Boeing Company, Honeywell, Virgin Galactic, and more.
All students in space-related programs enjoy many opportunities for hands-on learning, research, internships, and access to technologically advanced facilities and equipment.
Those students who wish to immerse themselves further in space studies can do so by joining any of Embry-Riddle’s many groups and organizations dedicated to their passions.
You will be invited to explore the Mars Society, Society of Physics Students, and the American Astronomical Society.
Our graduates are in demand, and we boast an extremely high hire rate.
Degrees & Programs
Are you seeking a degree to help you transition into a new role or launch your space career? To put you on an upward trajectory, Embry-Riddle offers a full complement of space-related degrees at all levels.
Through your studies, you’ll gain hands-on experience and real-world applications, learning from faculty who are subject matter experts.
Start on your own path toward expertise by exploring our degree program offerings.
Career Outlook
Teaching future astronauts and space enthusiasts, planning a space mission, ensuring space flight safety, working in mission operations, establishing policy related to the commercialization of space — whichever space career path you choose, a degree from ERAU can help you achieve your goals.
As space tourism gains popularity, so will the demand for space professionals — whether working in operations, safety, education, or pure science.
Space Studies graduates emerge from Embry-Riddle versed in space policy, operations, and regulations. So no matter which program you choose, you’ll be making progress toward an exciting and fulfilling career.
The overall employment rate for Astronomy and Astrophysics degree holders is 99 percent.
Research
Dedicated faculty and students throughout Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach (Fla.), Prescott (Ariz.), and Worldwide campuses are engaged in a variety of ongoing space research activities. Read about some featured projects below, or search for more at erau.edu/research.
Robotics Redundant Manipulation and Space Robotics
The research focus of Dr. Douglas Isenberg and Dr. Iacopo Gentilini in the Robotics Laboratory revolves around the modeling and control of industrial and mobile robotics systems. In particular, our current effort is directed toward the investigation of novel optimization techniques for energy optimal trajectory generation in redundant manipulation systems, system identification procedures for robotics systems, and the design of control systems for space robots.
Satellite Research
Dr. Ron Madler of Aerospace Engineering spent summer 2005 at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory working with a team of students on a satellite project. In 2006, he spent five months at NASA's Johnson Space Center working with researchers on low orbit debris to determine if it poses a threat to spacecraft. His work also includes working with multiple student teams in the NASA Space Grant Consortium.
Review of International Mechanisms Legal Subcommittee
This is a Working Group of the Legal Subcommittee of United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space that is researching the many different mechanisms used by the space community to foster cooperation, including inter alia bi-lateral and multi-lateral agreements, non-binding arrangements, principles, and technical guidelines. Diane Howard is participating as a subject matter expert.
Learning Environments
At Embry-Riddle, you’ll discover some of the most advanced, high-tech laboratories and facilities available to students.
- Prescott’s mile-high altitude and its location away from major cities provide pristine conditions for viewing the night sky. The Prescott Observatory Complex, ranked in the top 10 best college astronomy observatories by Collegerank.com, features a telescope with a 16-inch diameter, connected to a high-precision electronic CCD camera, allowing students to observe the cosmos, make precise measurements of extra-solar planets, and take a hands-on approach to learning about our universe.
- The Prescott Campus also houses a Cosmic Ray Lab, Propulsion Lab, and Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO). The LIGO project is a national consortium of universities, including Cal Tech, MIT, and Embry-Riddle, who work together on a National Science Foundation grant to detect and study gravitational waves of cosmic origin throughout the universe.
- The Daytona Beach Campus is located just 50 miles north of Kennedy Space Center and near many of our allied contractors situated on Florida’s Space Coast. With a strong focus on space, the campus features a large array of labs to facilitate hands-on learning through direct experience.
- The Space Physics Research Lab and the Laboratory for Exosphere and Near-Space Environment Studies (LENSES) give students the chance to participate in externally funded research projects.
- Students also use the 1-meter Ritchey-Chrétien reflecting telescope, one of the largest in Florida, to observe our solar system and beyond. One of the first programs of its kind, Commercial Space Operations students benefit from the on-campus resources.
- Embry-Riddle Worldwide operates more than 135 campus locations worldwide and delivers a quality academic experience with world-class faculty educators with hands-on industry experience in our three academic colleges and our Online Campus. Flexible scheduling and locations close to home are specifically suited for busy working professionals, active-duty military and veterans, and students with families.
- EagleVision, a virtual classroom, combines the power of Web video conferencing and learning management system software to maximize the benefits of synchronous and asynchronous virtual learning environments.