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.'"

Comments

It's like an MBA for Aerospace Engr Dropout

[Overzeetop]

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.

Re:It's like an MBA for Aerospace Engr Dropout

[Zeromous]

Seriously dude, I'm sure your managers find you a pleasure to work with. Maybe someone like you could actually benefit from this course in order to readjust your perspective, or at least tweak your outputs a little.

Re:It's like an MBA for Aerospace Engr Dropout

[VortexCortex]

Seriously dude, I'm sure your managers find you a pleasure to work with. Maybe someone like you could actually benefit from this course in order to readjust your perspective, or at least tweak your outputs a little.

...?
Code Monkey not say it out loud.
Code Monkey not crazy, just proud.
-joco

Re:It's like an MBA for Aerospace Engr Dropout

[Zeromous]

I'm not sure where you are going with the JoCo lyrics (did I just say "JoCo"?), but I'm hoping it's just Codemonkey's just bitter/jealous of those who can hack it with humans.

Bitterness and Jealousy is a real turn off for socially well-adjusted nerds.

Re:It's like an MBA for Aerospace Engr Dropout

[RatherBeAnonymous]

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.

I wish I had a manager who could do the paperwork around here, and I'm just talking about an IT department. All of my managers (yes, all) have their eyes glaze over once they see two computer related terms in the same sentence. I end up spending as much time managing the department for them as I do improving the network.

The best thing a manager can do is to deal with procedure and red tape so that the technical types can get to work. To that end, Scientists and Engineers need managers who can talk the lingo.

Re:It's like an MBA for Aerospace Engr Dropout

[sunking2]

Why is it that the Orion program is an utter failure and companies like Space X seem to be surpassing them in return on investment? Management structure might be something to take a look at. It's not about whether managers are needed, its the numbers of them.

Supply and Demand

[Anonymous Coward]

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.

Re:Supply and Demand

[NoNonAlphaCharsHere]

That's why we have so many MBAs and lawyers, and look at what a paradise they've turned our world into.

Rather risky

[Orleron]

Getting a degree that is only useful at maybe 5 or 6 companies in the whole country is not something I would recommend. How is that different from majoring in Medieval Japanese Literature? There are maybe 5 or 6 universities that would hire you with that degree too, and then you are stuck with your student loans that you cannot pay.

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.

Re:Rather risky

[dorpus]

I've known plenty of engineers who couldn't get jobs even when the economy was "good". I was once a chemical engineering major, but after going to many job fairs, concluded that it is a worthless degree -- nobody wanted them. I've since met chemical engineers who became computer programmers, since they didn't want to work at e.g. a pulp factory in Mississippi or an oil refinery in Nigeria.

Did the barnstomers have a degrees?

[eksith]

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.

Is there a degree in space logistics?

[arcite]

I would like to be a space logistics technician, or delivery boy.

As if

[arcite]

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.

Re:They couldn't wait

[xclr8r]

I don't know of the school but when a school adds curriculum custom tailored to a fields need (the ones the Advisers were focusing on) this is usually greeted with open arms. It's a stamp of the company/org does not have to waste my time teaching a basic concept.

Think of it like hiring someone from X university's CS program.. you can expect the person to know when and how to apply recursion. That said I'm skeptical too.. is this University/Program be accredited?

Re:This is like a degree in "CEO"

[cusco]

most space operations people are in their 50's and 60's. Unless something radically changes in the industry

You mean like a lot of people retiring over the course of the next decade?