Embry-Riddle University to Offer Commercial Space Operations Degree

Announcement from Embry-Riddle: first degree program specializing in commercial space (Credits: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University).

During the 16th Annual FAA Commercial Space Transportation Conference, Florida based Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the world’s largest accredited Aviation and Aerospace academic institute, announced that it would offer an undergraduate degree in Commercial Space Operations.

With this new undergraduate program, the university plans to supply skilled graduates to  the expanding commercial space industry, for areas such as space policy, operations, regulation and certification, space flight safety, and space program training, management, and planning.

“Embry-Riddle’s new Commercial Space Operations degree is one of the most innovative non-engineering degrees in the aerospace industry,” said Lance Erickson, professor of applied aviation sciences at Embry-Riddle and creator of the program. “It is an important link between Embry-Riddle’s expertise in aerospace education and the needs of commercial space industries and regulatory agencies.”

“When we were planning this degree, our advisors from the commercial space industry said they couldn’t wait to hire our graduates,” Erickson added.

The students of the Commercial Space Operations program will be trained to fill positions in management, training, policy, safety, planning, and operations functions, as required by the expanding commercial space industry. The hope is that this program will help transform Florida into a national commercial spaceflight hub.

“The program allows Florida to become the focus of commercial launch activity,” said Dale Ketcham, director of the Spaceport Research and Technology Institute.

The new program will get final approval by the end of March from Embry-Riddle’s Board of Trustees, and is expected to begin in Fall 2013.