Short Description
Orbiting satellites and other space vehicles are used for national security, communications, weather forecasting, and space exploration. Space operations officers manage space flight planning, training, mission control, and other activities involved in launching and recovering spacecraft. They may also be astronauts who command space flights or who serve as crew members.
What They Do
Space operations officers in the military perform some or all of the following duties:
- Manage activities of the flight control facility, including mission planning and training
- Manage operation of guidance, navigation, and propulsion systems for ground and space vehicles
- Develop space flight simulation exercises to train astronauts
- Plan space stations
- Direct space center launch and recovery activities
- Command and pilot space shuttles
- Perform in-orbit tasks and experiments aboard spacecraft
- Monitor foreign space flights and missile launches
Helpful Attributes
Helpful attributes include:
- Ability to work well as part of a team
- Decisiveness
- Interest in scientific research
- Interest in space travel
Training Provided
Job training for mission control officers consists of about 1 year of classroom instruction and practical experience. Further training occurs on the job and through academic courses. Astronauts must complete the NASA astronaut candidate training school. They also receive 1 year of practical training in space transport systems. Course content typically includes:
- Evaluation of space transport systems
- Development of space mission plans
- Methods for conducting space flight training programs
- Development of space flight simulation exercises
Work Environment
Launch and mission control space operations officers work in offices. Astronauts are required at times to work in a zero gravity environment in training as well as in space flight.
Civilian Counterparts
Most civilian space operations officers work for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in launch and mission control. They perform duties similar to those performed by military space operations officers. Some civilian space operations officers work for private corporations and firms that operate space satellites.
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