Space Systems Engineering, BSSE

Design, develop and deploy satellites and other spacecraft.

DEGREE:

Bachelor of Science in Space Systems Engineering (BSSE.)

DELIVERY:

Face-to-Face

LOCATION:

Morehead

TIME REQUIRED:

4 Years, Full Time

Curriculum Map

What You Can Do with a Space Systems Engineering Degree

Our space systems focus prepares you for careers in areas like space system development and testing, satellite telemetry, tracking and control, telecommunications electronics, commercial satellites, space transportation, space tourism, and space-based defense systems. Graduates have worked with NASA's Johnson Space Center, Rajant Corporation, the Space Dynamics Laboratory, and more, with nearly a 100% job placement rate.

The Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an 8% job growth for aerospace engineers this decade, with a median salary of $118,610 in 2020. You’ll also gain valuable skills like speaking, writing, teamwork, critical thinking, and professionalism, and you can choose to continue your education in graduate school.

Explore More

Aerospace Engineer
Aerospace Systems Test Engineer
Satellite Communications Specialist
Satellite Systems Analyst
Satellite Systems Engineer
Satellite Telemetry Technician
Space Mission Planner
Spacecraft Design Engineer
Spacecraft Operations Specialist
Space Systems Integration Engineer

Boeing Intelligence & Analytics
Lockheed-Martin
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Glenn Research Center
- Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL)
- Johnson Space Center
Northrop Grumman
Rajant Corporation
Raytheon
Space Tango
and more!

Take the Next Step

Ready to be a Morehead State Eagle? It’s easy to get started—fill out your application online today.

Apply Now

What You'll Learn in Space Systems Engineering

As a space systems engineering student, you'll learn to design, develop, test, and operate spacecraft—especially small satellites—in one of the few programs of its kind.

You'll focus on astronautical engineering, a specialty within aerospace engineering. You'll study space systems, mission operations, and satellite ground technologies using a systems engineering approach.

Along the way, you'll meet core physics and math requirements and develop skills you can use across engineering and beyond—critical thinking, research, teamwork, and more.

What Makes Morehead State's Program Different

Our exclusive focus on spacecraft and space systems sets us apart from other aerospace engineering programs.

You'll build hands-on experience using Morehead State's 21-meter and 12-meter space tracking antennas and Space Science Center facilities to work within NASA's Deep Space Network. You may work on satellite missions planned, built, and flown by students and faculty—an experience few schools can offer.

To ensure the success of our graduates, we prepare them to achieve the following Program Educational Objectives:

Perform effectively as engineers in their discipline by utilizing their training and experiences in space systems engineering (and related disciplines of electrical, mechanical, communications and systems engineering) in the engineering design process.
Evolve their problem-solving and critical thinking skills, deepen their knowledge of relevant systems, and expand their engineering skills and processes to solve complex problems in space and related technologies.
Expand their use of engineering methodologies, principles and toolsets toward the development or improvement of technical systems, products and processes designed to meet constituent requirements and standards.
Demonstrate strong ethical, teamwork, communication and project management skills to lead or contribute to engineering projects in diverse environments with multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.

In the course of meeting the programmatic educational objectives, our students will demonstrate:

An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, considering the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Admission to Space Systems Engineering

Follow the standard undergraduate application process to become a space systems engineering student at Morehead State.

Did You Know?

Morehead State students, faculty and staff played a critical role in the Intuitive Machines IM-1 lunar mission in 2024 through NASA's Deep Space Network and Lunar Data Network. You could be part of a future mission!

Read about this mission