Space Science Minor

Space Science Minor

Space Science

Minor

The space science minor focuses on the technology of spacecraft, satellites, and space exploration. Modern life has increasingly benefited from the knowledge of the space environment, utilization of satellites and spacecraft, and the application of space-based technologies.

The space science minor integrates facets of space-enabled technology to develop a fundamental knowledge that will support a variety of technical interests. It will provide cadets with a solid foundation in orbital mechanics, the space environment, attitude determination and control, satellite communications, space structures, astronomy, astrophysics, space physics, remote sensing, and rocket propulsion.  

Cadets will become the multi-domain leaders of tomorrow leveraging knowledge of the space environment, space capabilities, and space threats into the planning of all domains of battle -- land, air, sea, cyber, and space.

 

To learn more about this area of study, visit the Department of Physics and Nuclear Engineering.

Required Courses

SP471 ASTRONAUTICS 

SP472 SPACE PHYSICS 

SP473 OBSERVATIONAL ASTRONOMY

 

Sample Electives

CH387 HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY 

CH457 MICROBIOLOGY 

KN355 FUNCTIONAL ANATOMY 

KN360 BIOMECHANICS OF HUMAN MOVEMENT 

KN460 EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY 

KN465 MOTOR CONTROL AND LEARNING

EE381 SIGNALS AND SYSTEMS  

EE383 ELECTROMAGN FIELDS & WAVES  

EE482 WIRELESS COMM SYS ENGINEERING 

EE483 PHOTONICS ENGINEERING 

XE383 ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES

EV377 REMOTE SENSING  

EV387 METEOROLOGY 

EV388A PHYSICAL GEOLOGY 

EV388B GEOMORPHOLOGY

EM411 PROJECT MANAGEMENT  

SE301 FNDTN ENGIN DSGN & SYS MGMT 

SE302 FUNDAMENTALS OF SYSTEMS ENG 

SE375 STATISTICS FOR ENGINEERS

NE300 FUNDAMENTALS OF NUCLEAR ENGR 

NE350 RADIOLOGICAL ENGR DESIGN

PH384 APPLIED OPTICS 

PH485 LASER PHYSICS 

SP474 ASTROPHYSICS

CY300 PROGRAMMING FUNDAMENTALS 

CY350 NETWORK ENGR & MGT 

CY450 CYBER SECURITY ENGINEERING

DS370 STRATEGY AND POLICY 

LW482 NATIONAL SECURITY LAW  

SS477 ECONOMICS OF NATIONAL SECURITY 

SS483 NATIONAL SECURITY SEMINAR

 

To learn more, view the full Space Science Minor Curriculum.

Opportunities are available to perform research at Department of Defense and laboratories that conduct space and missile defense-related research during the summer. Majors can also join the Astronomy Club

 

To learn more about enrichment for this area of study, visit the Department of Physics and Nuclear Engineeringthe Photonics Research Center or the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command Space and High-Altitude Research Center.