Astronautical Engineering (MS)

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This degree is in the highly dynamic and technologically advanced area of astronautics and space technology. The program is designed for those with BS degrees in science and engineering who wish to work in the space sector of the defense/aerospace industry, government research and development centers, and laboratories and academia. The program is available through the USC Distance Education Network (DEN).

The general portion of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) and two letters of recommendation are required. For standard Admission Requirements, refer to USC Viterbi School of Engineering .

Required courses: 27 units

Core Requirement (12 Units)

ASTE 520 Spacecraft System Design Units: 3
ASTE 535 Space Environments and Spacecraft Interactions Units: 3
ASTE 575 Rocket and Spacecraft Propulsion 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 505a Plasma Dynamics Units: 3
ASTE 505b Plasma Dynamics Units: 3
ASTE 523 Design of Low Cost Space Missions Units: 3
ASTE 524 Human Spaceflight Units: 3
ASTE 527 Space Studio Architecting Units: 3
ASTE 528 Reliability of Space Systems 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 555 Space Cryogenic Systems and Applications Units: 3
ASTE 556 Spacecraft Structural Dynamics Units: 3
ASTE 557 Spacecraft Structural Strength and Materials Units: 3
ASTE 561 Human Factors of Spacecraft Operations Units: 3
ASTE 562 Spacecraft Life Support Systems Units: 3
ASTE 566 Ground Communications for Satellite Operations Units: 3
ASTE 570 Liquid Rocket Propulsion Units: 3
ASTE 571 Solid Rocket Propulsion Units: 3
ASTE 572 Advanced Spacecraft Propulsion Units: 3 *
ASTE 574 Space Launch Vehicle Design Units: 3
ASTE 577 Entry and Landing Systems for Planetary Surface Exploration 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
ASTE 589 Solar System Navigation Units: 3
*Prerequisite required

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.

Possible Areas of Concentration:

Students may choose to concentrate their studies in a specific area by selecting corresponding core elective courses. Presently, ASTE faculty suggest the following areas of concentration: