Graduate Spacecraft Education In The Afit Department Of Aeronautics And Astronautics

Abstract

Abstract NOTE: The first page of text has been automatically extracted and included below in lieu of an abstract Main Menu Session 2793 . Graduate Spacecraft Education in the AFIT Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics M. E. Franke and S. G. Tragesser Air Force Institute of Technology Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433-7765 Abstract Admission requirements, degree requirements, and the graduate programs at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics related to space science and engineering are described. The Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics has three graduate programs related to space: Astronautical Engineering, Space Operations, and Aerospace and Information Operations. The three programs are related but each one has unique elements to accommodate different Air Force needs. The purpose of each program, program length, credit hours, common core courses, specialty sequence courses, and electives are described in some detail. The space-related research conducted in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics is discussed. Introduction The United States Air Force is a mission-focused, combat-proven, decisive fighting force and its mission is “to defend the United States and protect its interests through aerospace power.”1 The foundation of the force is people, and the Air Force is committed to providing education, equipment, and training for its people to “achieve personal and professional excellence.” 1 The Air Force vision for scientists and engineers is “Air Force Scientists and Engineers…guiding, producing and sustaining concepts, technologies and systems that are key to aerospace operations.”2 The Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) provides responsive graduate and professional continuing education, research, and consulting to keep the Air Force and the Department of Defense (DoD) on the leading edge of technology and management. Through frequent consultation with the major commanders of the Air Force, the AFIT faculty establishes and maintains educational programs meeting Air Force needs. The Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), located at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, is a component of Air University, (AU), which, in turn, is a part of the Air Education and Training Command (AETC). The Institute accomplishes its graduate resident program mission through the Graduate School of Engineering and Management. The Graduate School offers Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Science degrees in aeronautical engineering, applied mathematics, astronautical engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, electro-optics, applied physics, materials science, nuclear engineering and operations research. The Graduate School ___________________ This paper is declared a work of the U. S. government and is not subject to copyright protection in the United States. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not reflect the official policy or position of the U. S. Air Force, Department of Defense, or the U. S. government. Proceedings of the 2002 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition. . Main Menu