Embry-Riddle To Offer Degree In Space Operations

Hugh Pickens writes writes "Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has announced plans to launch the nation's first ever bachelor's degree in Commercial Space Operations to supply the commercial spaceflight industry with skilled graduates in the areas of space policy, operations, regulation and certification, as well as space flight safety, and space program training, management and planning. The rapid expansion of commercial spaceflight operations is fostered by NASA's commercial cargo and crew development programs and by entrepreneurs developing capabilities for suborbital spaceflight, orbital space habitats, space resource prospecting and other commercial ventures. 'Embry-Riddle's new Commercial Space Operations degree is one of the most innovative non-engineering degrees in the aerospace industry,' says program coordinator Lance Erickson, a professor of applied aviation sciences at Embry-Riddle. 'When we were planning this degree, our advisers from the commercial space industry said they couldn't wait to hire our graduates.'"

Rather risky

[Orleron]

Getting a degree that is only useful at maybe 5 or 6 companies in the whole country is not something I would recommend. How is that different from majoring in Medieval Japanese Literature? There are maybe 5 or 6 universities that would hire you with that degree too, and then you are stuck with your student loans that you cannot pay.

I definitely think the core engineering, hard science, or generic business routes are the way to go for undergrad. If someone wants to specialize a bit for an MS or higher, ok then.

Re:It's like an MBA for Aerospace Engr Dropout

[Zeromous]

Seriously dude, I'm sure your managers find you a pleasure to work with. Maybe someone like you could actually benefit from this course in order to readjust your perspective, or at least tweak your outputs a little.

As if

[arcite]

You think that everyone who will work in these fledgling Space corporations is going to have a PHD or be an engineer? They need practical people with practical, marketable skills. As a new industry, they need skilled people across the whole spectrum. Those who train up now will have an edge in this new job market.

Re:It's like an MBA for Aerospace Engr Dropout

[RatherBeAnonymous]

It's like an admission that we don't need more engineers and scientists, what we really need is more people who can process paperwork.

I wish I had a manager who could do the paperwork around here, and I'm just talking about an IT department. All of my managers (yes, all) have their eyes glaze over once they see two computer related terms in the same sentence. I end up spending as much time managing the department for them as I do improving the network.

The best thing a manager can do is to deal with procedure and red tape so that the technical types can get to work. To that end, Scientists and Engineers need managers who can talk the lingo.