Introduction to Spaceflight Operations

Launch into an exciting new career

MSU Denver’s Aviation and Aerospace training is one of the country’s largest and most sophisticated programs in the country, with unrivaled resources, distinguished faculty, and close relationships with aerospace companies.

The Introduction to Space Flight Operations course opens a door into one of the most innovative non-engineering fields in the aerospace industry.

If you want to work in aerospace positions but do not have a technical background, this course will upskill your resume in an exciting field.

This unique course focuses on a foundation of technical knowledge around policy, operations, safety, training, human factors, and planning factors. The course is designed to prepare students to work in public and private spaceflight industries. Students will be skilled in space policy, operations, regulations, safety, management, and planning.

The aerospace industry in Colorado continues to grow, and is currently the second-largest aerospace economy in the U.S. The state expects to see 16,000 related job positions in 2025.

Course description

Students will learn the history of space exploration, human travel in space, and the effects of the space environment on operations. Students will understand essential elements and systems comprising modern space vehicles and missions. Various national and international policies and laws, fundamentals of interplanetary travel, orbital prediction, and launch and reentry operations will also be studied.

Learning objectives:

• Describe the significant historical factors of space technologies and exploration
• Identify and describe essential factors of the space environment and their impact on space operations
• Apply basic laws, treaties, and policies of space law to various aspects of space operations
• Describe and synthesize terminologies and concepts associated with essential elements and systems comprising modern space vehicles and mission operations
• Describe and analyze issues and challenges related to interplanetary travel, orbital prediction, and launch and reentry operations

Competencies to be gained:

• In-depth understanding of the different facets of space exploration
• Understands how space weather impacts operations
• Knows the different legal perspectives of space operations
• Exposure to technical knowledge like orbital mechanics, and fundamental knowledge of space operations architecture to encompass mission life cycle

Spaceflight Operations career goal pathways

Pathway 1: Enter the workforce quickly. Complete the Space Flight Operations course and immediately enter the workforce with some experience with job titles like Technical Specialist, Space Orbital Analyst, Flights Coordinator, Flight Inspector, Flight Planning Coordinator, and Material Specialist.

• Median salary is $47,900 year

Pathway 2: Continue your academic journey and earn a degree in Aviation and Aerospace Science or Aviation and Aerospace Management, which will allow you to increase your earning potential. You can find positions like Aircraft Program/ Project Manager, Senior Systems Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, Quality Control Analyst, Aerospace Researcher, and Aviation Quality Director.

• Median salary is $80,000 a year

Take the course to upskill your resume to advance in your career or discover a new passion.

About the course

Fall 2022 schedule

Introduction to Spaceflight Operations course

• Registration is now open
• Class starts – September 6
• Last day to register – October 1
• Class ends – November 11

Credit-By-Exam to convert the class to credit

• Registration opens – October 6
• Registration closes – November 18
• Credit-By-Exam must be completed – December 18

Cost

Introduction to Space Flight Operations course

• The course is $395, with a $35 transaction fee per payment. There are no books to purchase.

Credit-By-Exam

• If you choose to convert the noncredit class to credit, you will take a Credit-By-Exam. The cost is $122, and there is no transaction fee.

What do I receive after I pass the course?

After successfully completing the Space Flight Operations course, you will receive a certificate of completion. You will also receive a digital badge that will be embedded with the competencies learned. You can include this badge on your resume, LinkedIn page, portfolio, or share it with an employer.

You will also receive a personal advisement session with industry leader and instructor Michael Botyarov.