Careers

Career Description

Operating the largest space program in the world takes the combined efforts and skills of thousands of Airmen, especially Space Systems Operations specialists. These experts are responsible for everything from detecting sea-launched ballistic missiles and tracking satellites to assisting in rocket launches and space flight operations. Being a success in this career field takes more than just being smart, though; you also have to have cool nerves, excellent communication skills and the ability to multitask when the pressure is on.

Career Tasks

• Receive spacecraft mission requirements and assist in developing electronically transmitted spacecraft commands
• Assist in constructing command format and mission objectives
• Transmit and verify commands using aerospace ground equipment and perform emergency operational action to ensure minimum spacecraft degradation
• Operate data-handling terminals to acquire and track spacecraft, including receiving, analyzing, processing, storing and relaying data received from spacecraft/ground systems and advising supervisors of operational problems

Relevant Interests & Skills

• Space
• Electronics and Electrical
• Computers and Computer Science
• Future Technology

Training

After eight-and-a-half weeks of Basic Military Training, every Airman goes to technical training to learn their career. Here's the basic information about Space Systems Operations technical training:

School location: Vandenberg AFB [CA]

Length of course: varies

College degree earned: Air and Space Operations Technology

College credits earned: varies