The space industry is exploding right now.
Annually, thousands of students gaze up at the night sky with wonder. Wonder that someday they could make a career doing the same thing. With the space economy expanding at one of the fastest rates of any sector right now, there's never been a better time to get involved.
Here's the thing though...
Love rockets and satellites won't get you very far in the aerospace field. In order to secure yourself a real aerospace career you will need the proper aerospace education.
Without the right degree, breaking in is really tough.
Learn if a space studies degree is a wise decision for anyone pursuing an aerospace career.
Let's jump in!
Here's what's covered:
- Why The Space Industry Is Booming
- What Is A Space Studies Degree?
- The Career Benefits Of Studying Space
- Skills You Pick Up Along The Way
- Is A Space Studies Degree Right For You?
Why The Space Industry Is Booming
The space industry has never looked more exciting.
SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Lockheed Martin are all gearing up to send missions to space every week. Governments are investing billions into their national space initiatives. Startup private companies are springing up left and right...
And demand for skilled workers keeps climbing.
This is supported by statistics. Space activities around the world generated over $600 billion in economic activity for the first time ever. Analysts expect this figure to grow substantially in the future.
That kind of growth means one big thing:
The aerospace world needs skilled workers - and lots of them.
That's why aerospace education is such a popular topic for students looking to future-proof their career. Earning an accredited Space Studies Degree from a reputable university gives up-and-coming aerospace professionals the specific skill set they need to go after top careers. Satellites, space policy, mission planning; the classwork pertains directly to what employers are looking to hire.
Pretty cool, right?
However, before leaping into a program it's useful to know what a space studies degree actually entails - and what it can (and cannot) do for your career.
Let's break it down.
What Is A Space Studies Degree?
A space studies degree focuses on university coursework related to space science, technology, and policy.
Instead of solely learning about the technical aspects of the business like you would with a normal aerospace engineering degree... With a space studies degree you get a wider perspective of the whole field.
That broader view is exactly what makes it so valuable.
Here's what most programs cover:
- Space history and exploration
- Satellite systems and communications
- Space policy and international space law
- Astronomy and planetary science basics
- Space business and management
- Aerospace technology fundamentals
Others combine aviation courses as well. This is ideal for students who like to hedge their bets in both aviation and aerospace.
The coolest part? Many of these degrees can be completed online or in a flexible format. This means they're accessible to working adults who want to transition into the field without leaving their current career.
The Career Benefits Of Studying Space
Now for the good part...
A degree in space studies can lead to many career opportunities. Here are some of the most valuable.
A Growing Job Market
The aerospace industry is hiring like crazy right now.
Aerospace engineers' employment will increase 6 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than most other occupations. That's just one segment of the industry.
Space companies are also hiring for:
You can get a job as any of these - with a space studies degree, not just the engineering ones.
Strong Earning Potential
Space industry salaries are seriously impressive.
Trained professionals in aerospace jobs make significantly higher than the national average. Specialized positions earn even higher salaries with some experience.
Why? Space is a technical industry requiring skilled workers. Companies will invest in talent.
This means you will recoup, or earn back, the funds you spend on your degree many times over in your career.
Meaningful, Mission-Driven Work
For lots of students, the money is not the main draw.
Space is important. Whether it's monitoring climate change from orbit, bringing internet to rural communities, keeping national security networks operational, or helping mankind see its place in the universe.... The work matters.
A space studies degree allows grads to have an actual hand in fulfilling that mission - and few careers can say that mean something.
Skills You Pick Up Along The Way
Studying space is not just about memorising facts about the solar system.
Students graduate with a pile of resume-friendly skills. Which employers love. And most of them transfer to other fields. Even outside the aerospace world.
Some of the most valuable skills students pick up include:
- Critical thinking and complex problem solving
- Technical writing and communication
- Data analysis and interpretation
- Project management basics
- A solid understanding of complex systems
Skills graduates will need to thrive at Lionbridge Space will also help them become competitive job candidates outside of the space industry. Particularly in technology, defence, and government.
Is A Space Studies Degree Right For You?
Here is the big question every student should ask before enrolling...
You don't need to study space to break into aerospace. Many positions lend themselves better to a traditional engineering degree. Technical certificates or short-term online courses can suffice for some positions.
A space studies degree is a great fit if you-
- Want a broad understanding of the entire space industry
- Are interested in policy, business, or management roles
- Prefer a mix of science, technology, and communication skills
- Want the flexibility to work across multiple areas of the industry
- Enjoy learning about both the history and future of space exploration
A space studies degree might not be the best fit if you-
- Only want to work in hands-on hardware engineering
- Are targeting a very specific technical role like propulsion design
- Prefer pure science research over applied space work
Decide what you want to be. Choose your degree based on that.
Interested in space? Want a degree that allows you to go into many different careers in an industry that is continuously expanding? Lets just say a degree in space studies is hard to beat.
Final Takeaways
A degree in space studies is one of the coolest ways to break into the aerospace industry.
It's expanding rapidly. Salaries are robust. And the work matters. Whether you want to design satellites, influence space policy, or be part of a mission control team... aerospace can open the right door.
However, it won't work for everyone. Spend time contemplating what you want to do and choose a degree that matches your ambitions.
The stars are closer than you realize - it's all about picking the right launchpad.