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Launch into a U.S. Space Force career

Space Warfighting (minor)

Space Force arm patch

  • Become a more effective joint operator
  • Compatible with any U.S. Air Force Academy major
  • Receive classified adversary threat intel
  • Large selection of interdisciplinary electives
  • Choice of 4 tracks tailored to U.S. Space Force careers
Space Warfighting Domain

This minor is designed to broaden understanding of the space warfighting domain through both discipline specific knowledge and a greater socio-cultural understanding of the principle space fairing nations. For those not pursuing a career in the Space Force, the Space Warfighting Minor provides an educational background on the enhancement space provides to joint warfighters. In particular coursework includes navigation, communications, missile warning, and ISR material.

Academic Requirements

The Space Warfighting Minor requires a minimum of 15 additional semester hours beyond what is required for a chosen major. The course requirements for the minor are designed to provide both a technical understanding of the space domain and a socio-cultural understanding of this future battlespace. In the event the required courses are also required by your major, then additional classes must be chosen from those listed to achieve a minimum of 6 semester hours of minor classes.

Space Force Careers
  • Space Operations
    • Orbital Warfare
    • Electronic Combat
    • Space Battle Management
  • Acquisitions
    • Engineer new warfighter capabilities
    • Advance state-of-the-art technology
    • Manage development of new systems
  • Intel
    • Leverage classified U.S. space assets
    • Defend against adversary counterspace
  • Digital Data/Cyber professionals
    • Secure networks and satellite links
    • Disrupt adversary links

Not restricted to only those seeking a USSF commission

Required Core Options for All Tracks

Physics 215: General Physics II with Laboratory
MSS 444: Space and Cyber Strategy for National Security (Advanced Sociocultural Option)

Operator Track

Required Courses:

Astro 321 Intermediate Astrodynamics
Astro 431 Space Mission Payload Design
Law 419 Space Law
Pol Sci 465 US National Space Policy

Choose at least ONE of the following:

Astro 331 Space Systems Engineering
Astro 332 Satellite Communications
Astro 423 Space Mission Design
Chem 325 Space Chemistry
Econ 374 Survey of International Economics
Geo 340 Intro to Geographic Information Systems
Geo 382 Remote Sensing and Imagery Analysis
Geo 482 Advanced Remote Sensing
History 322 A History of Space Power
History 270 History of Modern Asia
History 240 History of Modern Russia
MSS 490 Strategy in Asia and the Pacific
MSS 493 Strategy in Eurasia
Physics 375 Physics of Space Domain Awareness
Physics 391 Introduction to Optics and Lasers
Pol Sci 469 Politics of Russia, Eastern Europe, and Eurasia
Pol Sci 473 Politics of Asia
Intel Track

Required Courses:

Astro 431 Space Mission Payload Design
Geo 340 Introduction to Geographic Info Systems
Pol Sci 465 US National Space Policy

Choose at least TWO of the following. Must take at least one Russia or China focused class.

Astro 332 Satellite Communications
Geo 382 Remote Sensing
Geo 482 Advanced Remote Sensing
Geo 485 Applied UAS Photogrammetry
Econ 374 Survey of International Economics
History 322 History of Space Power
History 270 History of Modern Asia
History 240 History of Modern Russia
MSS 490 Strategy in Asia and the Pacific
MSS 493 Strategy in Eurasia
Physics 375 Physics of Space Domain Awareness
MSS 490 Strategy in Asia and the Pacific
MSS 493 Strategy in Eurasia
Physics 375 Physics of Space Domain Awareness
Physics 391 Introduction to Optics and Lasers
Pol Sci 462 Politics and Intelligence
Pol Sci 469 Politics of Russia, Eastern Europe, and Eurasia
Pol Sci 473 Politics of Asia
Digital Track

Required Courses:

Astro 431 Space Mission Payload Design
Law 440/Law 419 Cyber Law OR Space Law
PolSci 466/PolSci 465 Cyber Security Policy and Politics OR National Space Policy

Choose ONE of the following:

Astro 332 Satellite Communications
Comp Sci 364 Information Storage and Retrieval
Comp Sci 380 Design and Analysis of Algorithms
Comp Sci 467 Computer Networks
Cyber 333 Survey of International Economics
Cyber 334 Defensive Cyber Operations
ECE 281 Digital Design and Computer Architecture
ECE 348 Telecommunication Principles
ECE 382 Embedded Computer Systems I
Math 378 Applied Statistical Modeling
Ops Rsch 312 Probabilistic Models

Choose at least ONE of the following:

History 322 History of Space Power
History 270 History of Modern Asia
History 240 History of Modern Russia
MSS 490 Strategy in Asia and the Pacific
Pol Sci 469 Politics of Russia, Eastern Europe, and Eurasia
Pol Sci 473 Politics of Asia
Acquisition Track

Required Courses:

Astro 331 Space Systems Engineering
Astro 431 Space Mission Payload Design
Pol Sci 465 US National Space Policy
Sys Engr 310/Mgt 477 Introduction to Systems Engineering/Operations & Project Management

Choose at least ONE of the following:

Astro 332 Satellite Communications
Astro 423 Space Mission Design
Chem 325 Space Chemistry
ECE 343 Electromagnetics
ECE 348 Telecommunication Principles
ECE 434 Digital Signal Processing
ECE 446 Applied Communication Systems
Geo 340 Intro to Geographic Information Systems
Geo 382 Remote Sensing and Imagery Analysis
History 322 A History of Space Power
History 270 History of Modern Asia
History 240 History of Modern Russia
Law 419 Space Law
MSS 490 Strategy in Asia and the Pacific
MSS 493 Strategy in Eurasia
Physics 375 Physics of Space Domain Awareness
Physics 391 Introduction to Optics and Lasers
Pol Sci 469 Politics of Russia, Eastern Europe, and Eurasia
Pol Sci 473 Politics of Asia
Contact:

Need more information or want to sign up:

Lieutenant Colonel Luke Hagen
Deputy Head & Assistant Professor
luke.hagen@afacademy.af.edu
(719) 333-8390