The Master of Science in Astronautical Engineering program encompasses the dynamic and cutting-edge field of advanced space technology, with a unique focus on spacecraft engineering. It is exceptionally relevant today due to the growing importance of space to both national security and the economy. This program exposes students to the most current industry practices by offering specialized courses in the program taught by adjunct faculty who are leading specialists in the space industry.
This degree will enable you to enhance your career by acquiring knowledge in your chosen area of space technology, while improving your potential for advancement into engineering leadership positions. This program is especially suited for you if you intend to work in the space industry or in government research and development centers.
Our students have a wide variety of background: from the traditional astronautical, aerospace, mechanical, electrical, and other engineering disciplines; to physics, astronomy, and other areas of science; and even medical doctors. The program students also include active duty military personnel and those planning to apply for astronaut training.
International students: This program is eligible for the OPT STEM extension.
Please Note: Requirements for graduation, course offerings, course availability, track offerings, and any other degree requirements are subject to change. Students should consult with an academic advisor prior to registering for any classes.
- A minimum of 27 units is required to earn the MS in Astronautical Engineering degree
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required for graduation
Detailed Program Curriculum and RequirementsSchedule of Classes
APPLICATION DEADLINES
Spring 2023 - October 15, 2022
Fall 2023 - May 15, 2023
Visit our Ready to Apply page for more information.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in any engineering or engineering-related disciplines including but not limited to: Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, and Astronautical Engineering.
The following materials are required to be included with your online application:
- Transcripts: Upload Electronic Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. A mailed hard copy or official e-transcript is not required for admission to our programs.
- Submit an electronic copy of official transcripts (.pdf recommended) and other degree related documents through the online graduate application (International applicants, visit USC Graduate Admission’s Country Requirements page for details on required documents)
- Unofficial transcripts from university student portals are not acceptable
- If the transcript includes a separate grading scale, make sure it is also uploaded
- For upload purposes, all transcript related documents for a single school must be submitted as one document
- If you are admitted, you will be given specific instructions on submitting your hard copy transcripts
- Resume/CV
- Personal Statement: The personal statement should describe succinctly your reasons for applying to the proposed program at the Viterbi School of Engineering, your preparation for this field of study, study interests, future career plans, and other aspects of your background and interests which may aid the admissions committee in evaluating your aptitude and motivation for graduate study.
- GRE: General GRE test scores are not required for 2023
- Letters of Recommendation (2 Required): Letters of recommendation should be from faculty or others (supervisors, professional colleagues, etc.) qualified to evaluate your potential for graduate study.
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS
English Language Proficiency: In addition to the application requirements above, international students whose first language is not English are required to take the TOEFL or IELTS. There is no minimum TOEFL or IELTS score required for admission to the Viterbi School. For possible exemption from additional language requirements, you must achieve an Internet Based TOEFL (iBT) score of 90, with no less than 20 on each section or an IELTS score of 6.5, with no less than 6 on each band score. Please review USC Graduate Admission – Proficiency in English.
IMPORTANT: USC does not accept Duolingo and TOEFL Essentials test scores.
APPLY NOW - USC GRADUATE APPLICATION
The following is an overview of the tuition & fees for graduate engineering students. Both on-campus and DEN@Viterbi students pay the same tuition.
TUITION
| Academic Year | Per Unit Rate | 3-unit Course | 4-unit Course |
| Fall 2022 - Summer 2023* | $2,309 | $6,927 | $9,236 |
| Fall 2021 - Summer 2022* | $2,199 | $6,597 | $8,796 |
| * Tuition is the same for on-campus and online students |
ESTIMATED COST OF ATTENDANCE – 27 UNIT PROGRAM
MANDATORY STUDENT FEES - 2022/23
| Fee Description | Fee Amount | On-Campus | DEN@Viterbi |
| Student Health Center Fee | $527/semester | | |
| Norman Topping Student Aid Fee | $8/semester | | |
| ENGR Computing Access Fee (On-Campus students) | $40/semester | | |
| ENGR Computing Access Fee (DEN@Viterbi students) | $20/semester | | |
| Exam Proctoring | $40 - $100 per course | | |
| Health Insurance (U.S.-based health insurance is required, but it does not have to be through USC) | Fall 2022: $805
Spring 2023: $1,468 | | |
Visit Tuition & Fees for more information
KIMBERLY LANE
What were the main reasons you chose to pursue this graduate program at USC?
I currently work as a System Safety Engineer at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD. The USC Astronautical Engineering program is so unique in allowing the opportunity to focus specifically on engineering within the space industry. Additionally, the Distance Education Network (DEN) allows for the degree to be completed remotely. This program was perfect for me. It allowed me to continue to gain knowledge specific to the space industry and complete the classes and work on my own schedule.
Tell us about an exciting and unforgettable experience from your time so far at USC.
I have been able to participate in research to perform a safety assessment on the Artemis program. It has been a fun alternative to the typical class experience. I've learned so much about the Artemis program and the safety approach for NASA human space flight programs. Also, we've been able to interview people who are currently working or have worked on human space flight programs including a former astronaut!
<br
ALEJANDRO DURAN
What were the main reasons you chose to pursue this graduate program at USC?
When I saw the opportunity to be taught by Garrett Reisman, a former astronaut, I knew I had to jump on it. My goal is to one day become an astronaut, so to have the opportunity to learn from someone with his experience would be a dream come true.
What are some personal achievements or experiences you’d like to share?
For me, being a first generation college graduate was a great achievement. Being admitted to USC and pursuing my Masters in Astronautical Engineering is the next step and will be my next big achievement.
What advice would you give future Viterbi students?
Don’t compare yourself to others. We all come from different backgrounds. Do the best YOU can do and your plans will come to fruition.
ADRIAN DIOSDADO
What were the main reasons you chose to pursue this graduate program at USC?
Initially, I saw value in going for a Master's in Systems Engineering or even in an MBA, but the more I thought about it, the more indecisive I became. In the end, I started to think about where my true passions lay and what got me so interested in the aerospace industry to begin with when I was in elementary school. Those thoughts led me to remember how fascinated I was about space in particular and how in 4th grade I was amazed at NASA's plan to explore Mars. So I stopped thinking between Systems Engineering and an MBA and decided on Astronautical Engineering at USC which boasts an impressive list of alumni in the space industry including some amazing astronauts, including Neil Armstrong. Eventually, I'd like to use my Master's degree to work at JPL!
Tell us about an exciting and unforgettable experience from your time so far at USC.
I work full-time in San Diego and am a DEN student attending my classes online. However, I made my way up to campus and fell in love with the beautiful campus and also was amazed by the film library. I'm a film nerd and love the movie making process as much as I love airplanes and space. I must have spent at least 4 hours there pouring over film books and carefully taking in each exhibit on display inside the film library.
Which organizations/activities have you been involved with outside of theclassroom?
As a full-time employee living in San Diego, I can't take part in on-campus activities like I would like to. However, I have joined various outreach programs at Northrop Grumman [where I work] to go visit local middle and high school students to encourage them about STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) and the careers my fellow colleagues and I currently have. My favorite experience was giving a presentation to a middle school on the James Webb Space Telescope and seeing all the kids' eyes light in fascination much like mine had as a little kid when engineers came to visit my elementary school.
Alumni Employment
- ABL Space Systems
- Aerojet Rocketdyne - Engineer
- Apple Inc. - Product Design Engineer
- Axiom Space - Space Suit Hardware Engineer
- Blue Origin - Test Engineer
- Boeing
- Columbus Technologies And Services - Mechanical Engineer
- Honeywell Aerospace - Manufacturing Engineer
- Leidos Holdings Inc. - Aerospace Engineer
- Lockheed Martin Corporation - Test Engineer
- Mantech - System Analyst
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
- Northrop Grumman Corporation
- Phase Four - Propulsion Engineer
- Raytheon Technologies
- Republic of Korea Air Force - Air Force Officer
- SpaceX
- The Aerospace Corporation
- The MITRE Corporation - Aerospace Systems Engineer
- Thermal Management Technologies - Thermal Engineer
- TLG Aerospace - Aerospace Engineer
- Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems, Inc. - Mission Operations Engineer
- U.S. Army
- US Space and Missile System - General Engineer
Internships
Beamlink Inc; Center for Space Nuclear Research; Exo-Space; General Motors
This program is also available online to professional engineers through DEN@Viterbi. Because the DEN@Viterbi program provides a fully equivalent academic experience, the degree a USC engineering student earns is the same whether they are on-campus or online.
If you are interested in beginning classes as a DEN@Viterbi student next semester, explore the requirements and steps to enrolling as a Limited Status Student.
Learn More About DEN@Viterbi
Detailed Program Curriculum and RequirementsSchedule of Classes
DEN@VITERBI ONLINE COURSE OFFERINGS
The following courses and program requirements serve as program planning for DEN@Viterbi students. Course offerings and availability are subject to change. Please consult with advisor if you have any questions.
| Core Requirements |
| All courses are required - 12 units total. |
| Some core requirements may be waived if the student has taken similar coursework prior to joining the program - subject to department approval. |
| ASTE 470 | Spacecraft Propulsion (3 units)* |
| *ASTE 470 will be replaced by ASTE 575 beginning Fall 2023. |
| ASTE 520 | Spacecraft System Design (3 units) |
| ASTE 535 | Spacecraft Environments and Spacecraft Interaction (3 units) |
| ASTE 580 | Orbital Mechanics I (3 units) |
| Core Elective Requirement |
| Three courses are required - 9 units total. |
| ASTE 523 | Design of Low Cost Space Missions (3 units) |
| ASTE 524 | Human Spaceflights (3 units) |
| ASTE 527 | Space Studio Architecting (3 units) |
| ASTE 529 | Safety of Space Systems and Space Missions (3 units) |
| ASTE 552 | Spacecraft Thermal Control (3 units) |
| ASTE 553 | Systems for Remote Sensing from Space (3 units) |
| ASTE 554 | Spacecraft Sensors (3 units) |
| ASTE 556 | Spacecraft Structural Dynamics (3 units) |
| ASTE 557 | Spacecraft Structural Strength and Materials (3 units) |
| ASTE 570 | Liquid Rocket Propulsion (3 units) |
| ASTE 572 | Advanced Spacecraft Propulsion (3 units) |
| ASTE 574| Space Launch Vehicle Design (3 units) |
| ASTE 577 | Entry and Landing Systems for Planetary Surface Exploration (3 units) |
| ASTE 581 | Orbital Mechanics II (3 units) |
| ASTE 583 | Space Navigation: Principles and Practice (3 units) |
| ASTE 584 | Spacecraft Power Systems (3 units) |
| ASTE 585 | Spacecraft Attitude Control (3 units) |
| ASTE 586 | Spacecraft Attitude Dynamics (3 units) |
| ASTE 589 | Solar System Navigation (3 units) |
| Technical Elective Requirement |
| Two courses Required - 6 units total. |
| Students are advised to select these two elective courses from the list of core electives or from other courses in astronautical engineering or from other science and engineering graduate courses, as approved by a faculty advisor. |
| Possible Areas of Concentration |
| Students choose core elective and technical elective courses that best meet their educational objectives. Students can also concentrate their studies in the desired areas by selecting corresponding core elective courses. Presently, the ASTE faculty suggest the following areas of concentration: |
| Spacecraft Propulsion Concentration |
| Two core electives - 6 units total. |
| ASTE 570 | Liquid Rocket Propulsion (3 units) |
| ASTE 572 | Advanced Spacecraft Propulsion (3 units) |
| ASTE 584 | Spacecraft Power Systems (3 units) |
| Spacecraft Dynamics Concentration |
| Two core electives - 6 units total. |
| ASTE 556 | Spacecraft Structural Dynamics (3 units) |
| ASTE 557 | Spacecraft Structural Strength and Materials (3 units) |
| ASTE 581 | Orbital Mechanics II (3 units) |
| ASTE 583 | Space Navigation: Principles and Practice (3 units) |
| ASTE 585 | Spacecraft Attitude Control (3 units) |
| ASTE 586 | Spacecraft Attitude Dynamics (3 units) |
| ASTE 589| Solar System Navigation (3 units) |
| Space System Design Concentration |
| Two core electives - 6 units total. |
| ASTE 523 | Design of Low Cost Space Missions (3 units) |
| ASTE 524 | Human Spaceflight (3 units) |
| ASTE 527 | Space Studio Architecting (3 units) |
| ASTE 529 | Safety of Space Systems and Space Missions (3 units) |
| ASTE 557 | Spacecraft Structural Strength and Materials (3 units) |
| ASTE 574 | Space Launch Vehicle Design (3 units) |
| ASTE 577 | Entry and Landing Systems for Planetary Surface Exploration (3 units) |
| Spacecraft Systems and Operations Concentration |
| Two core electives - 6 units total. |
| ASTE 529 | Safety of Space Systems and Space Missions (3 units) |
| ASTE 552 | Spacecraft Thermal Control (3 units) |
| ASTE 553 | Systems for Remote Sensing from Space (3 units) |
| ASTE 554 | Spacecraft Sensors (3 units) |
| ASTE 584 | Spacecraft Power Systems (3 units) |
| Space Applications Concentration |
| Two core electives - 6 units total. |
| ASTE 524 | Human Spaceflight (3 units) |
| ASTE 527 | Space Studio Architecting (3 units) |
| ASTE 553 | Systems for Remote Sensing from Space (3 units) |
| ASTE 554 | Spacecraft Sensors (3 units) |
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