Space Operations Officers

Background

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. 

What They Do

Space operations officers in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Command and pilot space shuttles
• Develop space flight simulation exercises to train astronauts
• Direct space center launch and recovery activities
• 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
• Monitor foreign space flights and missile launches
• Perform in-orbit tasks and experiments aboard spacecraft
• Plan space stations

Physical Demands

Astronaut testing and training are very physically demanding. Officers must be in top physical shape to qualify for the astronaut shuttle program. Space operations officers must have normal color vision to read charts, graphics, and control panels.

Special Requirements

A four-year college degree in science or engineering is required to enter the space operations field. A Bachelor of Science degree in engineering, math, physical science, or life science is required to qualify as an astronaut.

Helpful Attributes

Helpful attributes include:

• Ability to work well as part of a team
• Decisiveness
• Interest in scientific research
• Interest in space travel

Helpful School Subjects

No information available.

Helpful Fields of Study

No information available.

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.

Services offering this career:

• Air Force
• Army
• Marine Corps

Hiring Practices

To serve in the military, a person must be at least 17; the maximum age for enlistment varies. To enlist, a person must pass a physical exam and an aptitude test. An enlistee must also meet military standards of discipline and be a US citizen or permanent resident alien.

This position is for officers.

Wages

The military is competitive with the civilian world when it comes to pay and benefits. All branches offer the same basic pay and benefits.

Pay depends mainly on rank or grade as well as length of service. Bonuses and the situation in which the person is serving (for example: flight duty, sea duty, hazardous duty) also affect pay. 

Cost-of-living increases usually occur every year, based on inflation. The military also pays allowances for food, clothing, and housing. All these factors combined are called Regular Military Compensation (RMC). They should all be considered when comparing military pay to civilian pay.

There are two main parts to RMC: basic pay and allowances. There are also additional incentives for special abilities, training, or hazardous duty.

Check out the RMC Calculator to calculate your RMC based on your inputs.

Training Provided

Job training for mission control officers consists of about one year of classroom instruction and practical experience.

Course content typically includes:

• Development of space flight simulation exercises
• Development of space mission plans
• Evaluation of space transport systems
• Methods for conducting space flight training programs

Further training occurs on the job and through academic courses. Astronauts must complete the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) astronaut candidate training school. They also receive one year of practical training in space transport systems.

Civilian Counterparts

Most civilian space operations officers work for 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.

Employment and Outlook

In peace time the services have fewer than 500 space operations officers. In times of military action the number may be different, depending on the type of specialties required. The field is very competitive due to the limited number of specialties in this area. The services sometimes need new space operations officers because of changes in personnel and changes in the demands of the field. After job training, new officers are assigned to space operations, launch and mission control centers, or research facilities. With experience and special training, they have the opportunity to work in various areas such as astronautics or space flight control. Eventually, they may manage a missile warning facility, a satellite command center, a space launch system, a space systems analysis facility, or a manned space flight.