2008-2009 Catalog - United States Air Force Academy

space operations major
The Space Operations major is an interdisciplinary program with primary emphasis on preparing cadets for a career in space
operations. The major is designed to develop Air Force officers with a technical background in space and an understanding
of contemporary problems and issues peculiar to space. Course work in science, geospatial science, mathematics, and
astronautics provides the technical background required for this field. Coupled with courses in space history, law, policy and
military doctrine, this program provides the breadth of education required for this growing field. The Space Operations major
provides the student with excellent preparation for entering a graduate program in space operations or space systems.
Space operations are the backbone of Air Force Space Command and are vital to our nation’s war fighting capabilities. This
program gives you the chance to directly apply what you learn in your major to an Air Force career. The Space Operations
major will give you a solid framework for your future Air Force career whether it is in space or as a pilot. In addition, this major
serves as an excellent foundation for graduate studies in such fields as space operations, space systems management, space
technology, communications, computer systems, remote sensing, operations research, and business administration.
Suggested Course Sequence
3rd-Class Year 2nd-Class Year 1st-Class Year
Astro Engr 210 Aero Engr 315 Academy Opt
Chem. 200 Astro Engr 331 Astro Engr 437/453
Econ 201 Beh Sci 310 English 411
El Engr 315 Biology 315 History 376 or Geo 382
English 211 Geo 382 or History 376 MSS 400
Engr Mech 220 History 302 MSS 485
Law 220 Math 356 Philos 310
MSS 200 MSS 282 Pol Sci 465
Ops Rsch 310 Pol Sci 211 Soc Sci 412
Physics 215 Space Ops 360 Space Ops 461
Physics 370 Sys Engr 301 Space Ops 462
Space Ops Spec 1 Sys Opt Geo 310 Space Ops Spec 2
SPACE OPERATIONS (Space Ops)
Offered by the Department of Astronautics.
Space Ops 360. Space Mission Operations Fundamentals. Introduces the principles, problems, and history of space
operations. Examines elements of space operations including operations management, planning, architecture, and execution.
Explores ground station hardware, software, and communication principles. Concludes with ground station qualification
training and certification. Certification prepares the student at the entry level to support active satellites like FalconSAT
missions, which are student-built satellites produced through the Astro 436/437 course sequence.
Space Ops 461. Space Mission Operations I. A second course in space operations. Advanced topics in space operations
are discussed, such as satellite pass prediction, planning, and execution. Students interface with engineers and program
managers in Small Spacecraft Engineering I (Astro Engr 436) to develop mission operations concepts and plans for current and
future FalconSAT missions. Students maintain and operate ground equipment in support of on-going satellite operations. At
the conclusion of this course, the student will be fully qualified to train future students in any of the three positions—Ground
Station Operator, Satellite Operator, or Crew Commander.
Space Ops 462. Space Missions Operations II. A third course in space operations. Advanced topics in space operations
are discussed, such as ground station design and placement, ground support equipment design, and satellite communication
subsystem design. Students interface with engineers and program managers in Small Spacecraft Engineering II (Astro Engr 437)
and with operators at Schriever AFB, Colorado, to fully develop their understanding of mission operations concepts and plans
for current and future FalconSAT missions. Students serve as trainers and mentors for other students enrolled in Space Ops
360. Students also execute mission support for any active FalconSAT mission.
United States Air Force Academy Catalog 145