New Aerospace Missions program to lift off this fall
The countdown has begun to a new degree that will see more MSU Denver students joining the space race.
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Master in-demand space flight operation skills in eight weeks or less
About the course
With unrivaled resources, distinguished faculty, and close relationships with aerospace companies, MSU Denver has one of the country’s largest and most sophisticated aviation programs in the country. Through online courses, including this online aviation training course, students can explore the field of spaceflight operations and aerospace science.
The term spaceflight operations, or air and space operations, refers to the activities and tasks involved in planning, managing, and executing missions or activities in outer space. These operations include tasks like launching spacecraft, understanding orbital mechanics and maneuvering strategies, conducting experiments, communicating with the spacecraft, and ensuring crew safety. It encompasses everything needed to make space missions successful, from mission planning to execution and monitoring.
As one of MSU Denver’s leading online training courses, it equips students with aviation skills in space policy, aerospace operations, regulations, safety, management, and planning. Space Flight Operations Fundamentals opens a door into one of the most innovative non-engineering fields in the aerospace and spaceflight industries. The online training course is designed to prepare you to work in public and private spaceflight industries. You will learn aviation skills in space policy, aerospace 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 aviation and aerospace-related job positions in 2025.
This course serves as an ideal starting point for those eager to pursue careers in aviation and aerospace and can stack into an MSU Denver credential or degree.
Why take this online course?
Flexible schedule
The course can be completed in 4-8 weeks and is self-paced online.
Career advisement
Receive a personal advising session with an industry leader.
Enter a thriving industry
With Colorado ranking as the second-largest aerospace economy in the U.S., career opportunities in aviation and space operations are expanding rapidly.
What students are saying about Career Launchpad
The majority of students who completed a post-course survey in spring 2025 report:
✓ Increased knowledge, skills, and understanding of the subject matter.
✓ We’re highly satisfied with the overall experience of the course.
✓ Agreed that the subject matter was organized and presented effectively.
Career pathways for Space Flight Operations
Approximate return on investment for each academic pathway
Pathway 1: Enter the aviation 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 $35,000 year
Pathway 2: Continue your academic journey beyond aviation courses and earn an Undergraduate Certificate in Space Commercialization or Spacecraft Flight Operations.
- Median salary is $50,000 a year
Pathway 3: Continue your academic journey in Spaceflight Operations and earn a degree in Aviation and Aerospace Science or Aviation and Aerospace Management. These degrees will allow you to increase your earning potential. You can find spaceflight industry positions like Aircraft Program/ Project Manager, Senior Systems Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, Quality Control Analyst, Aviation Project Management, Aerospace Researcher, and Aviation Quality Director.
- Median salary is $80,000 a year
MSU Denver’s online Career Launchpad courses allow you to upskill your resume to advance in your aviation career or discover a new passion.
About Space Flight Operations Fundamentals
In the Space Flight Operations Fundamentals course, you will learn the history of space exploration, human travel in space, and the effects of the space environment on operations. The lessons will help you understand essential elements and systems comprising modern space vehicles and missions. Various national and international policies and aviation laws, fundamentals of interplanetary travel, orbital prediction, and launch and reentry operations will also be studied.
After taking this online course, you will better understand aspects of space flight operations regarding weather, mechanics, and architecture in the planning and implementation of space flight in the modern world.
The course is $450, with a $35 transaction fee per payment. There are no books to purchase.
- Registration opens in April
- Course begins – September 2, 2025
- Last day to register – September 9, 2025
- Course ends – November 2, 2025
Once you successfully complete the Space Flight Operations Fundamentals course, you can immediately enter the workforce within spaceflight industries with newly learned skills in the aviation industry. You will receive a digital badge embedded with the competencies learned. You can include this badge on your resume, LinkedIn page, portfolio, or share it with an employer. Students will also receive a certificate of completion.
Students can also convert the course to three credits and continue to an MSU Denver certificate or degree. See FAQs for more information.
Learning objectives:
- Describe the significant historical factors of air and space operations, 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 aerospace science, space vehicles, and mission operations.
- Describe and analyze issues and challenges related to spaceflight industries, such as interplanetary travel, orbital prediction, aviation safety, and launch and reentry operations.
Competencies to be gained:
- In-depth understanding of the different facets of flying and space exploration.
- Understands how space weather impacts flight operations.
- Knows the different legal perspectives of space operations.
- Exposure to technical knowledge like orbital mechanics, air navigation, and fundamental knowledge of space operations architecture to encompass the mission life cycle.
About your Space Flight Operations instructor
Space Flight Operations instructor
Michael Botyarov is an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Science, specializing in systems engineering and human factors. He is well-versed in space mission architecture and the life cycle of associated systems projects. Outside of academia, Michael has aviation industry experience in both program management and engineering, particularly project and systems engineering. He has earned a Master of Science in Systems Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and an MBA from CU Denver.
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Office Location:
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Auraria Campus
Mailing Address:
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Innovative and Lifelong Learning
P.O. Box 173362
Campus Box 6
Denver, CO 80217-3362