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Space Systems Engineer
Designs and builds spacecraft, satellites, and space station systems.
Did you know?
The James Webb Space Telescope's beryllium mirrors are coated with a very fine layer of gold, because gold reflects infrared light so well.
How subjects help
- Physics: Protect a satellite from extreme heat, cold and radiation in the vacuum of space.
- Mathematics: Calculate the orbit and fuel a spacecraft needs to reach the right place in space.
- Engineering: Design solar panels, antennas and parts that survive the violent shaking of a rocket launch.
- Computer Science: Write and test the software that lets a satellite steer itself and send data home.
A famous name
Sergei Korolev: Soviet chief designer of the rockets and spacecraft that launched Sputnik (1957) and Yuri Gagarin (1961).
Try it yourself: Design a base on Mars
- List what people need to stay alive: air, water, food, warmth, and protection from radiation.
- Mars has thin air you can't breathe, freezing nights and dust storms. Decide how your base solves each problem.
- Draw your base and label where each need is met.
- What happens if one part breaks? Add a backup.
Space engineers design around every need, then plan backups, because help is months away.
Also try: Catch a flipped coin like a network does.
Known for it in
USA, France, Germany, Japan, India