Sacknoff / David Space Careers

1. Auflage 2015
ISBN: 978-1-887022-20-0
Verlag: International Space Business Council
Format: EPUB
Kopierschutz: Adobe DRM (»Systemvoraussetzungen)

E-Book, Englisch, 232 Seiten

Written by legendary space author Leonard David, entrepreneur Scott Sacknoff, and with a foreword from Gemini astronaut and Apollo 11 moonwalker Buzz Aldrin, Space Careers is designed to provide students and job seekers the information they need to succeed. No matter if you are in high school, in college, a graduate student, or in the workforce... Space Careers will provide you with information you need to find or further your career.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Sacknoff, Scott

David, Leonard

Leseproben

1 INTRODUCTION “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”1 “In a galaxy, far, far, away”2 “Space, the final frontier”3 These words have inspired billions of people around the Earth, and the great space race to the Moon in the 1960s enabled many to live out a dream. Today, hundreds of thousands of people from all walks of life and all backgrounds have chosen to work in a space industry that is far larger and more diverse than ever before. By choosing a career in the space industry, you can be part of today’s vision—whether it means bringing the world closer together through communications systems, monitoring and preserving the Earth’s climate and resources, or building rockets and satellites to explore the solar system, the galaxy, and the wider universe. Though many do not realize it, the space industry is much bigger and broader than human space programs, such as the International Space Station, programs to take people to the Moon and Mars, or the rockets that enable private space tourists. In fact, according to recent statistics, the space and satellite industry generates more than 20 times the revenues that Hollywood generates at the U.S. box office. And when accounting for all the revenues generated by spacecraft distributing or offering information, communications, and entertainment services to consumers and businesses, it is roughly half the size of the global software industry.4 The space industry employs an estimated 71,500 aerospace engineers with a median salary of $105,450;5 nearly 3,000 atmospheric and space scientists6 in the government alone; and is part of an Aerospace Product & Parts Manufacturing (NAICS 336 400) sector that employs more than 502,000. This does not even include the tens of thousands of people who are classified as working in communications and other fields. According to the “U.S. Space Industry Deep Dive” produced by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the 611 space-dependent respondents to their survey stated total employment of nearly 350,000 people. Space is a place for jobs, many of them high-paying—one of which could be a career for you. WHAT WILL THIS BOOK DO FOR ME? Whether you are a student in high school, at the university level, employed in the space industry, or hoping to find a new position within it, Space Careers can help you. It is designed to give you the resources you need and provide you with valuable insights, so that you can have a better understanding of the industry and identify the opportunities within it. Among the valuable information this book will impart is: •   An understanding of the role and activities of industry, government, military, and academia. •   The different types of positions/careers available. •   Financing your education: scholarships and fellowships. •   How to increase employment prospects. •   Universities that specialize in space. •   Where to find information on open positions. •   Why, how, and where to network. •   Words of wisdom on résumés and interviewing. And for those hoping to explore space on a personal level, this book gives details on becoming a professional astronaut. Along the way, you’ll get a range of resources and links including contact information and links to leading companies and organizations. WHAT IS THE SPACE INDUSTRY? The space industry is as diverse as any that exists in today’s economy. Although human spaceflight endeavors, such as space tourism or dreams of Mars exploration, get the most attention, people working within the space and satellite industry are involved in everything from engineering and science to manufacturing, farming, geology, and meteorology to sales, marketing, policy, and international relations. The space industry can actually be thought of as a combination of other industries—communications, electronics, information technology, computers and software, environmental monitoring, manufacturing, medical and biotechnology research, etc. In fact, many of the people who are actually involved in or who use the industry in their work, consider themselves part of other industries. Ask a medical researcher what they are involved in and chances are they will say that they are seeking a cure for Alzheimer’s or cancer, not someone involved with evaluating pure crystals manufactured in the microgravity of space. An overview of the activities that encompass the space industry is presented in Chapter 2. Take notice…many of the activities in the space industry actually take place on the ground and not all are science or engineering related. There are lots of jobs. WHAT TYPES OF JOBS ARE THERE?
…For Engineers, Scientists, and Technologists People working in the sector have diverse backgrounds that are as varied as the industry itself. Common degrees for engineers and technical managers might be aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering, materials engineering, and systems engineering. Degrees in computer science and programming and information technology are always in demand. The tasks they could be working on relate to structural testing, aerodynamics, rocket propulsion, avionics, guidance navigation and control, and orbital mechanics. They could be developing and testing breadboards or electronic devices or programming software to track and monitor the performance of spacecraft. Other staff could be focused on environmental and human factors issues, resolving network interference, or monitoring space debris. Scientists could be monitoring the planet and weather patterns, using the results from microgravity experiments to identify new biotech compounds, or studying the universe. WHAT TYPE OF ENGINEERING OR SCIENCE BACKGROUND SHOULD I PURSUE? To name buy a few… Aerospace Engineering * Astronomy * Astrophysics * Chemical Engineering * Communications * Computer Science * Data Analysis * Electrical Engineering * Fluid Mechanics * Human Factors * Information Technology * Materials Engineering * Mechanical Engineering * Meteorology * Optics/Electro-Optics * Physics * Software * Systems Engineering WHAT TYPES OF JOBS ARE THERE? …For Architects, Archaeologists, Geologists, Farmers, and More! Professionals in a variety of fields use products derived from the space industry. Architects and civil planners use satellite data and digital maps to locate, evaluate, and understand construction sites. Geologists use satellite data to find possible mineral deposits. Archaeologists have begun using space imagery to locate sites located under hundreds of feet of sand or on the ocean bottom. Farmers are increasingly relying on remotely sensed data to learn about the health of their crops and guide them to areas that need fertilizer or water. They may also use Global Positioning System satellites to automate their tractors and harvesters. CAN I FIND SOMETHING WITHOUT A TECHNICAL DEGREE? Though they don’t get the publicity, a large number of the people who work in the space industry do not have technical backgrounds, but they apply their skills to do what many know as a highly technical industry. Careers exist for people with skills in: Accounting * Administration * Business Development * Conference Management * Contracting * Economics * Employee Relations * Finance/Investing * Graphic Design * Human Resources * International Relations * Journalism * Law * Manufacturing * Policy * Public Relations * Sales and Marketing * Technical Writing ARE THERE “GREEN” OPPORTUNITIES? There is no technology responsible for bringing the world closer together than the space and satellite industry. Satellite data is enabling professionals to monitor weather patterns, plot the migration of fish and animals, track the outbreak of diseases, and determine the health and well-being of our planet. WHAT IF I DON’T LIVE NEAR A NASA FACILITY? Although there might be a higher concentration of companies involved with space in some parts of the United States, particularly near NASA and military research facilities, companies and organizations involved with space and telecommunications can be found throughout North America and the world. A review of the organizations listed in Appendix B shows a diversity of firms located throughout the United States and Canada DREAMING THE FUTURE— WHAT ARE THE OPPORTUNITIES? Whether initiatives by NASA tackling a post-Shuttle environment, entrepreneurial ventures funded by deep-pocket investors to offer expanded tourism activities, or an ever-more integrated global world that relies on satellites for communications, information, environmental monitoring, and entertainment…this is an exciting time. New paths to the future are being defined and more will undoubtedly emerge. During the past 25 years, space assets have revolutionized communications and video and data services and provided us with a better understanding of our planet and our environment. Within the...