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Embry-Riddle To Offer Degree In Space Operations
Hugh Pickens writes writes "Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has announced plans to launch the nation's first ever bachelor's degree in Commercial Space Operations to supply the commercial spaceflight industry with skilled graduates in the areas of space policy, operations, regulation and certification, as well as space flight safety, and space program training, management and planning. The rapid expansion of commercial spaceflight operations is fostered by NASA's commercial cargo and crew development programs and by entrepreneurs developing capabilities for suborbital spaceflight, orbital space habitats, space resource prospecting and other commercial ventures. 'Embry-Riddle's new Commercial Space Operations degree is one of the most innovative non-engineering degrees in the aerospace industry,' says program coordinator Lance Erickson, a professor of applied aviation sciences at Embry-Riddle. 'When we were planning this degree, our advisers from the commercial space industry said they couldn't wait to hire our graduates.'"
So, it's all the personnel and legal stuff that surrounds the real engineering that has to go on. But as a BS and without the background of the actual hard engineering that goes on in aerospace and without the life experience that someone going back for a second degree after ten or twenty years would bring with them.
It's like an admission that we don't need more engineers and scientists, what we really need is more people who can process paperwork. On the bright side, at least it looks like there's job demand for the stupid people in the world of the future.
Is it just my observation, or are there way too many stupid people in the world?
I'll bet there will be a lot more students interested in this degree than companies hiring.
Pick a major that's going to pay the bills, kids.
I definitely think the core engineering, hard science, or generic business routes are the way to go for undergrad. If someone wants to specialize a bit for an MS or higher, ok then.
Commercial spaceflight is still in its infancy. I mean, sure we've put a few people in space and a handful on the moon, but in terms of an actual field, it's as if it's just a few years after the Wright brothers (regulation didn't start 'till 1926). Certainly no where near the level aviation was after the same number of years after its inception.
I hope space school has the same validity as engineering school though. But as long as it's just one school, I have my doubts.
If computers were people, I'd be a misanthrope.
'When we were planning this degree, our advisers from the commercial space industry said they couldn't wait to hire our graduates.'"
So the course wasn't even fully designed yet, not a single fucking graduate has yet to come out of that university, and they ALREADY want them working on projects headed to one of the most hostile environment we're aware of?
What a bunch of clowns.
I would like to be a space logistics technician, or delivery boy.
You think that everyone who will work in these fledgling Space corporations is going to have a PHD or be an engineer? They need practical people with practical, marketable skills. As a new industry, they need skilled people across the whole spectrum. Those who train up now will have an edge in this new job market.
There are no more left.
When Fascism comes to America, it will call itself Anti-Fascism, and tell you to give up your guns.
when i saw the word bachelor i thought about the television show on ABC.
but seriously, i didn't know that there is a commercial space industry. i thought NASA only launched satellites and performed experiments on land and space. i learned something new today
Next, Embry Riddle can can launch the nation's first ever bachelor's degree in Flying Car Operations to supply the commercial flying car industry with skilled graduates in the areas of flying car policy, operations, regulation and certification, as well as flying car safety, and flying car driving program training, management and planning.
Once there is a viable commercial space industry and Flying Car Industry, Embry Riddle will becomes the Harvard for these industries.
why does it need to be a degree then?? make it a very hands on trading / trades setting and with then you can trim it down to 2-3 years.
auto mechanics don't need a 4 year Degree maybe a 2 year trades / tech school.
Let me know when we develop piracy in nulsec.
Whether warranted or not.. a degree has a certain social status appeal to it. Look at online dating or even people talking about "undateable traits", one can filter out those who do not have HS Diplomas, Bachelors, Masters.
Beware of those who profit off the docile and persecute the unbelievers.
auto mechanics don't need a 4 year Degree maybe a 2 year trades / tech school.
I run my own 4x4 shop and I have a B.S. in Elementary Education. =P
They won't train "flying auto" mechanics at Embry Riddle. They will train people who can manage "flying auto" mechanics, who will make policies for them, boost their morale etc.
That's a 4 year degree right there.
http://daytonabeach.erau.edu/coa/aeronautical-science/news-events/embry-riddle-is-training-unmanned-aircraft-pilots.html
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is stepping up to fill that need with a new minor in Unmanned Aircraft Systems that begins on the university’s Daytona Beach, Fla., campus in the fall semester of 2010
What a bunch of clowns.
Actually, that's on the other side of the state.
FSU would also have been an acceptable answer, since they have a circus.
With the creation of an MBA for commercial space.
Kobayashi Maru
ERAU is scrambling. They can't get anyone to sign up for their commercial aviation programs so they have to make up this crap. The airline industry has become a pathetic joke of a career. It's going to be fun watching the airlines try to explain away why they can't find any qualified pilot candidates to hire in a few years.
This is really more of a PR move by the school to attract students to Embry-Riddle, than it is providing a good education and career path equipping students with marketable skills for real jobs. While the field of "commercial space operations" is likely to open up at some point, once we get good technology and lots of industry out there, this is a very narrow career path today, with few options and companies hiring. They would do better to provide a major geared not only towards space operations, but airport operations and general logistics as well. Students would then major in that, which would provide for more general, diverse, and broad-based skills which could be transferrable to a wider variety of companies. If they're really interested in the space side of things, then add on a good minor and/or appropriate elective courses. Which is what minors and electives were supposed to be used for to begin with. Unfortunately, today's students would rather have useless minors and electives in topics like "underwater basketweaving" or "zombie apocalypse awareness" to satisfy their desire to make their "college experience" more complete or something. We wouldn't have an employment crisis today if more students would actually do more long term planning and major in something that's going to get them a good job with a good paycheck instead of something that "looks cool on parchment".
Now THAT'S a way to get a bunch of filthy rich people with dreams of venturing to space to pay you butt-loads of money for a degree that isn't officially notably accepted.
That's sales. Bravo! :)
and I thought Star Fleet Academy was the first.
Hey, now!
I heard the (community) college down the street is offering a "Degree in Space Medicine." Are you telling me that this isn't a valid and widely accepted degree?
;>
Blasphemer!
As someone who works for NASA and is in the middle of climbing the space operations career ladder, there is no way anyone would hire someone out of college for these kinds of jobs. They want real engineers with a lot of experience in the field -- a lot of what these people bring to the table is not only what they learned in college, but from decades of space-related engineering work. The kinds of problems they see and deal with are not in text books. I'm in my early-30's and am pretty much the kid in the room for most meetings - most space operations people are in their 50's and 60's.
Unless something radically changes in the industry -- like it becomes much cheaper to fail -- the only thing this major will be useful for is working on the Death Star Kickstart.
What university program is Poindexter taking up NOW? Space! He's taking up Space!
From a graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Arizona State University offers an interdisciplinary science and engineering BS in Earth and Space Exploration that has already placed at least one BS graduate in an operational role at JPL.
http://sese.asu.edu/bs-earth-and-space-exploration
While its sensible to question the job opportunities available for a given major ... I think the naysayers would be surprised by the value of a technical degree of this type (at least the one offered by SESE). As well as surprised by the size of the industry that might be interested in hiring such graduates. Its not all missions to Mars or the ISS. Any space borne or suborbital remote sensing falls into this category. And there are plenty of roles that don't require PhDs.