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Careers in Space Science

Every kid wants to work for NASA, but do you ever wonder if you can actually make a living in the space industry?

Years ago it may have only been a dream, but today’s opportunities in space provide a variety of ways for you to make your passion into a promising career. 

Space Careers

Whether you end up working for NASA, U.S. Space Force, or SpaceX, there are many careers in space science.

Space Engineer

Space engineers design, develop, test and produce aircrafts, spacecrafts, and equipment related to them. You’ll be on the leading edge of new technologies to help create aerospace equipment that allows for exploration, transportation, communications, and more. There are ample job opportunities, and they pay well. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for aerospace engineers is $118,000.

Mission Controller

Mission controllers are the eyes and ears for astronauts. Their role is vital to ensuring that missions are successful. While specific duties change based on their role within a given mission, controllers monitor weather, communications, shuttle performance, flight dynamics and more. This is about as close to being an astronaut as one can get without actually going to space. That is, unless you end up stationed at the International Space Center!

Space Scientist

Space scientists try to figure out how and why our universe works the way it does. For years, we’ve used discoveries in space to help propel technology on earth, and space scientists play a key role in the process. No matter what specialty you choose to pursue, a degree in space studies can jumpstart your career in space science.

STEM Educator

Love learning about space and how it shapes our world? You’ll probably love sharing that information with the next generations of space enthusiasts! Whether you’re teaching at a middle school level or graduate-level classes at an accredited university, you’ll find young minds eager to learn more about the amazing things that make space fascinating.

Atmospheric Scientist

Atmospheric scientists are critical to understanding weather and climate, as well as how we as humans can affect it. They use complex mathematical models and computers in conjunction with data from satellites and radars to give us a better knowledge of what has happened, what is happening, and what will happen. There are a variety of different specialties within this field, so you’ll be able to work on something that is of interest to you while knowing you are making a difference in the world while also making a good living. Atmospheric scientists make almost $100,000 a year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Space School

Check out the Master’s in Space Studies program at UND today. Before you know it, you just might be working for NASA or starting a long career at the U.S. Space Force!

Sources

  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
  • Canadian Space Agency
  • Careers with Stem
  • U.S. Space Force
  • NASA

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