Master of Science in Astronautical Engineering
Application Deadlines
Spring:
September 1
Fall:
February 15
- Program Overview
- Application Criteria
- Tuition & Fees
- Meet Our Students
- Career Outcomes
- DEN@Viterbi - Online Delivery
- Request Information
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.
- This program requires completion of 27 units of coursework
- Eligible for the OPT STEM extension
- USC Catalogue
- USC Schedule of Classes
| SEMESTER | DEADLINE |
|---|---|
| Spring | September 1 |
| Fall | February 15 |
Visit our Ready to Apply page for more information
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Applicants to the master's of science programs in Astronautical Engineering are required to have a bachelor’s degree or be in the process of completing a bachelor's degree. Degrees in any engineering, engineering-related, math, or physics disciplines are frequently represented among our program applicants.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
The following materials are required to be included with your online application:
- Transcripts
- Resume/CV
- Personal Statement
- Letter of Recommendation (2 required)
- GRE: For the 2025 cycle, GRE submission is not required but encouraged for students who look to present a more competitive application. The GRE can further demonstrate your academic potential to be successful in the M.S. Astronautical Engineering program.
The following link will take you to an overview of the tuition & fees for graduate engineering students, including payment information. Both on-campus and DEN@Viterbi students pay the same tuition
Use the link below to download the Cost of Attendance to see a summary of tuition and fees by semester. The document is a typical example and the number of courses, and time to complete the program, will vary by student.
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!
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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.
2022 First Destinations Survey - Outcomes*
Top Employers*
- Blue Origin
- Boeing
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
- Northrop Grumman Corporation
- SpaceX
.
Alumni Employment - 2022*
(Companies & Job Titles)
- Blue Canyon Technologies - AI&T Lead
- Blue Origin - Propulsion Engineer, Manufacturing Process Industrial Engineer, Trajectory Analysis & Optimization Engineer
- Boeing - Sr. Structural Engineer Customer Support, Product Review Engineer, Space Launch System Thermal Analysis Engineer, Rotational Systems Engineer, Aerodynamics Engineer, Stress Analyst
- GE Aviation - Senior Sales Operations Manager
- General Atomics - Satellite Systems Engineer
- JT4 - Design Engineer II
- McKinsey & Co. - Business Analyst
- Millennium Space Systems, A Boeing Company - Electrical Engineer
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory - Thermal Systems Engineer, Quality Assurance Engineer, Systems Engineer II, Systems Integration and Test Engineer, Flight System Systems Engineer Psyche Project, Systems Engineer, Mechatronics Engineer
- Northrop Grumman Corporation - Principal Aeronautical Engineer, Aerospace Systems Engineer, Mechanical Engineer 2, Aerospace Systems Engineer
- OffWorld - Space Systems Engineer
- Raytheon Technologies - Sr. Manager
- Relativity Space - Systems and Test Engineer
- SpaceX - Manager Spacecraft Integration Dragon Operations, Software Engineer II, Associate Engineer
- Stellar Space - Technical Project Manager
- The Aerospace Corporation - Member Technical Staff
- Trans Astronautica Corporation - Jr. Aerospace Engineer
- USC Liquid Propulsion Laboratory (LPL) - Propulsion and Test Engineer
- USSF - General Engineer
- UTC Aerospace Systems - Sr. Project Engineer
- Whisper Aero - Hardware Engineer
.
* Information is based on a voluntary survey and should not be interpreted as a comprehensive view of the 2022 graduating class.
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.
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) |
| Safety of Space Systems |
| Two core electives - 6 units total. |
| ASTE 528 | Reliability of Space Systems (3 units) |
| ASTE 529 | Safety of Space Systems and Space Missions (3 units) |
| ASTE 561 | Human Factors of Spacecraft Operations (3 units) |
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