Astronautical Engineering

Study mode:On campus Study type:Full-time Languages: English
Foreign:$ 58.8 k / Year(s) Deadline: Jan 15, 2025
53 place StudyQA ranking:2591 Duration:

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The Master of Science in Astronautical Engineering program encompasses the dynamic and cutting-edge field of advanced space technology, with a unique focus on spacecraft engineering. It is exceptionally relevant today due to the growing importance of space to both national security and the economy. This program exposes students to the most current industry practices by offering specialized courses in the program taught by adjunct faculty who are leading specialists in the space industry.

This degree will enable you to enhance your career by acquiring knowledge in your chosen area of space technology, while improving your potential for advancement into systems engineering or other leadership positions. This program is especially suited for you if you intend to work in the space industry or in government research and development centers.

Our students have a wide variety of background: from the traditional astronautical, aerospace, mechanical, electrical and other engineering disciplines; to physics, astronomy, and other areas of science; and even medical doctors. The program students also include active duty military personnel and those planning to apply for astronaut training.

Core Requirement (12 Units)


  • ASTE 470 Spacecraft Propulsion Units: 3
  • ASTE 520 Spacecraft System Design Units: 3
  • ASTE 535 Space Environments and Spacecraft Interactions Units: 3
  • ASTE 580 Orbital Mechanics I Units: 3

Core Elective Requirement (9 Units — Choose Three Courses)


  • ASTE 501a Physical Gas Dynamics Units: 3
  • ASTE 501b Physical Gas Dynamics Units: 3
  • ASTE 523 Design of Low Cost Space Missions Units: 3
  • ASTE 527 Space Studio Architecting Units: 3
  • ASTE 529 Safety of Space Systems and Space Missions Units: 3
  • ASTE 552 Spacecraft Thermal Control Units: 3
  • ASTE 553 Systems for Remote Sensing from Space Units: 3
  • ASTE 554 Spacecraft Sensors Units: 3
  • ASTE 556 Spacecraft Structural Dynamics Units: 3
  • ASTE 557 Spacecraft Structural Strength and Materials Units: 3
  • ASTE 570 Liquid Rocket Propulsion Units: 3
  • ASTE 572 Advanced Spacecraft Propulsion Units: 3
  • ASTE 581 Orbital Mechanics II Units: 3
  • ASTE 583 Space Navigation: Principles and Practice Units: 3
  • ASTE 584 Spacecraft Power Systems Units: 3
  • ASTE 585 Spacecraft Attitude Control Units: 3
  • ASTE 586 Spacecraft Attitude Dynamics Units: 3

Technical Elective Requirement (6 Units)


Two 3-unit courses. Students are advised to select these two elective courses from the list of core electives or from other courses in astronautical engineering or from other science and engineering graduate courses, as approved by the faculty adviser. No more than 3 units of directed research (ASTE 590) can be applied to the 27-unit requirement. New courses on emerging space technologies are often offered; consult the current semester's course offerings, particularly for ASTE 599 Special Topics.

Note:


At least 21 units must be at the 500 or 600 level.

Areas of Concentration:


Students choose core elective and technical elective courses that best meet their educational objectives. Students can also concentrate their studies in the desired areas by selecting corresponding core elective courses. Presently, ASTE faculty suggest the following areas of concentration:

Spacecraft Propulsion


Choose two core electives from:

  • ASTE 501a Physical Gas Dynamics Units: 3
  • ASTE 501b Physical Gas Dynamics Units: 3
  • ASTE 570 Liquid Rocket Propulsion Units: 3
  • ASTE 572 Advanced Spacecraft Propulsion Units: 3
  • ASTE 584 Spacecraft Power Systems Units: 3

Spacecraft Dynamics


Choose two core electives from:

  • ASTE 556 Spacecraft Structural Dynamics Units: 3
  • ASTE 557 Spacecraft Structural Strength and Materials Units: 3
  • ASTE 581 Orbital Mechanics II Units: 3
  • ASTE 583 Space Navigation: Principles and Practice Units: 3
  • ASTE 585 Spacecraft Attitude Control Units: 3
  • ASTE 586 Spacecraft Attitude Dynamics Units: 3

Space Systems Design


Choose two core electives from:

  • ASTE 523 Design of Low Cost Space Missions Units: 3
  • ASTE 527 Space Studio Architecting Units: 3
  • ASTE 529 Safety of Space Systems and Space Missions Units: 3
  • ASTE 557 Spacecraft Structural Strength and Materials Units: 3

Spacecraft Systems


Choose two core electives from:

  • ASTE 552 Spacecraft Thermal Control Units: 3
  • ASTE 553 Systems for Remote Sensing from Space Units: 3
  • ASTE 554 Spacecraft Sensors Units: 3
  • ASTE 584 Spacecraft Power Systems Units: 3

Space Applications


Choose two core electives from:

  • ASTE 527 Space Studio Architecting Units: 3
  • ASTE 553 Systems for Remote Sensing from Space Units: 3
  • ASTE 554 Spacecraft Sensors Units: 3
  • An undergraduate degree in engineering or science from a regionally-accredited university. (Mathematics, applied mathematics and computer science majors are welcome to apply if they have taken the equivalent of the three Physics courses usually required for engineering majors: 151Lg - Mechanics & Thermodynamics, 152L - Electricity & Magnetism, and 153L - Optics & Modern Physics.)
  • Satisfactory cumulative undergraduate GPA (grade point average)
  • Satisfactory GRE test scores. All scores must be officially reported to the university directly by ETS.
  • Satisfactory performance in previous coursework related to the intended major.
  • Transcripts: Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
  • Letters of Recommendation (2 Required): Letters of recommendation should be from faculty or others (supervisors, professional colleagues, etc.) qualified to evaluate your potential for graduate study.
  • Statement of Purpose (Optional): The statement of purpose should describe succinctly your reasons for applying to the proposed program at the Viterbi School of Engineering, your preparation for this field of study, study interests, future career plans, and other aspects of your background and interests which may aid the admissions committee in evaluating your aptitude and motivation for graduate study.
  • Resume/CV (Required)
  • English Language Proficiency: In addition to the general admission criteria listed above, international students whose first language is not English are required to take the TOEFL or IELTS examination to be considered a candidate for admission.  There is no minimum TOEFL or IELTS score required for admission to the Viterbi School. For possible exemption from additional language requirements, you must achieve an Internet Based TOEFL (iBT) score of 90, with no less than 20 on each section or an IELTS score of 6.5, with no less than 6 on each band score. 

Scholarships

  • Merit-based scholarships
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