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Engineering Division

ASTRONAUTICS

Cadets learn the fundamentals of satellites, rockets, and other space systems as well as how to design them to contribute to our national security and economy. This experience is enhanced by senior capstone projects and independent and sponsored research opportunities with a variety of government and industry partners.

ABOUT US

In 1958, the same year NASA was formed, the Department of Astronautics was established at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Our cadets are rocket scientists, and our motto is “Learning Space by Doing Space.” We have designed, built, and launched rockets to the edge of space. We have designed and built satellites that are currently in Earth orbit and are fully funded by Air Force Research Laboratory to do the same with two more satellites over the next three years. Our cadets, from fourth year to first year, operate our ground station, controlling satellites that contribute to our national security and our understanding of the space environment. Our graduates are now conducting space-related research, acquiring our next generation of space systems, and operating our current space assets in defense of the nation.

The Aeronautical Engineering and Systems Engineering majors are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

Astronautics Faculty and Staff

Department News News From Around The Department


September 28, 2022

Tackling space missions for over six decades

International Space Station passes over the U.S. Air Force Academy Nov. 17, 2021. During its course over the Front Range, Col. Raja Chari, Class of 1999, served on board. (Photo illustration by Tony Muro, Class of 1999)­­­ U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The U.S. Air Force Academy has a long history of supporting the country’s space mission and developing officers ready to face the challenges of tomorrow. In fact, a member of the Academy’s very first graduating class went on to be an astronaut and we now commission graduates into the U.S. Space...

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September 15, 2022

Academy Astro, Aero Engineering programs ranked top in U.S.

Two U.S. Air Force Academy cadets discuss course work in the Astronautical department. (U.S. Air Force photo/Trevor Cokley) U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – U.S. News and World Report ranked the Academy one of the nation’s best undergraduate educational institutions in the publication’s 2022 annual report. The Best Colleges Rankings report rates the Academy as third in the Top Public Schools category and names the Astronautical Engineering and Aeronautical Engineering programs as the best in the nation (at schools where a doctorate is not offered). The report rates the Academy 18th overall in the National...

Continue Reading Academy Astro, Aero Engineering programs ranked top in U.S.

April 6, 2022

Cadets launch the future of space imagery

Falcon Neuro is hosted on the STP-H7/8 external payload in outer space. The payload was photographed by external cameras on the International Space Station. (Photo credit: NASA) By Public Affairs/Strategic Communications Photos by Joshua Armstrong/Trevor Cokley U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Cadet research projects at the United States Air Force Academy are frequently launched into low-Earth orbit, giving cadets ample opportunities to learn space by doing space. An ongoing project is Falcon Neuro, with cadets and faculty using neuromorphic cameras attached to the International Space Station to study lighting across the Earth and electrical discharges in space known as...

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2354 Fairchild Drive, Suite 6H-225
United States Air Force Academy, CO 80840
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