The Master of Engineering Degree in Space Engineering

The successful integration of the scientific, engineering, and management considerations in space systems requires highly capable professionals. In particular, managers at all levels must have a broad interdisciplinary background: they must be able to see branches, trees, and the entire forest at the same time.

The AOSS MEng program in Space Engineering combines strong emphasis on both theoretical and applied aspects with extensive hands-on experience at all levels. Designed to provide a broad interdisciplinary education in the scientific, engineering and management aspects of complex space systems, the program enhances disciplinary skills and provides insight and education in the systems engineering and management area.

If you are interested in studying the scientific, engineering and management aspects of space engineering, this program, developed with Aerospace Engineering and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, allows you to structure the program to your specific area of interest.

Program Objectives

To provide a comprehensive knowledge of space science and engineering and their interrelationship.
To increase depth beyond the baccalaureate level in a space-related discipline.
To teach the systems approach to conceiving, designing, manufacturing, managing, and operating complex space systems.
To provide practical experience in space system design, project development and management.

Program Advisor

Dr. Darren McKague
Email: dmckague@umich.edu

General Admission Information

The deadline for the Fall 2010 MEng student cohort (Program Code 01866) is January 15 , 2010. It is recommended that you submit your application early to ensure that it arrives on or before the deadline. If your application will be significantly delayed, please contact Margaret Reid to discuss your situation. The deadline for Winter 2010 is December 1, 2009. Information about the cost of attending the University of Michigan is available from The Office of Registrar.

All AOSS MEng students are admitted to the program through the College of Engineering. AOSS requires a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale. All international students need to provide TOEFL, MELAB, or IELTS scores. However, if you’ve graduated from an undergraduate program where the language of instruction is exclusively English, then the TOEFL requirement is waived. Click here for additional College admissions information.

Funding

Need-based funding may be available, usually in the form of a student loan, through the University's Office of Financial Aid, (734) 763-6600. There are application materials required to complete this process.

Program Concentrations

While your specific concentration curriculum will be decided through discussion with your program advisors suggested programs have been developed. You will need a minimum of 31 credits for graduation.

Space Science Concentration Program
Propulsion Concentration Program
Plasma Electrodynamics & Sensors
Instrumentation & Sensor Payloads
Launch Vehicles
Telemetry & Spacecraft Communication
Astrodynamics
Computer Control & Data Handling

Space Engineering Course Categories

Core Courses (19 credit hours) (PDF file of Core Courses)

The five core courses plus seminar required of all students cover aspects of space engineering that are considered fundamental and necessary parts of our educational program. Relevant aspects of underlying physical phenomena are covered such as gaskinetic theory, space plasma physics, and magnetospheric physics. Engineering courses offer hands-on projects that focus on space subsystems and technology and space system design.

These projects involve Space Physics Research Laboratory engineering staff, industry and government laboratories. The purpose is to provide practical experience in applying both system concepts and disciplinary skills to a real-life space system project. Space policy and management teaches the systems approach to conceiving, designing, manufacturing, managing and operating complex space systems. The purpose is to expose students to the problems and management methods of complex space systems. These topics are developed and taught with the help of adjunct faculty from industry and government.

Cognizant Faculty for Core Courses

AOSS-464 (Intro to the Space and Spacecraft Environment),Gombosi
AOSS-581 (Space Systems Management), Fisk
AOSS-582 (Spacecraft Technology), Zurbuchen
AERO-583 (Space Systems Design), Gallimore
AOSS-590 or AERO-590 (Space Systems Projects), Gilchrist/Gallimore

Concentration Elective Courses (6 credit hours) (PDF file of Concentration Courses)

Students select two from a limited number of space engineering-specific courses. These courses are intended to allow students to tailor the program to their individual interests while maintaining a focus on aspects of space engineering.

Cognizant Faculty for Concentration Electives

AERO-535 (Space Propulsion), Gallimore
AERO-548 (Astrodynamics), Scheeres
AERO 575 (Flight and Trajectory Optimization), Scheeres
AOSS-584 (Space Instrumentation)
AOSS-585 (Introduction to Remote Sensing and Inversion Theory), Ruf
AOSS-468 (Geophysical Data Analysis), Ridley

Breadth Elective Courses (6 credit hours) (PDF file of Breadth Courses)

Students select two from a large list of technical courses with topics generally related to space engineering and science. These courses are intended to permit students to pursue advanced, graduate level studies in a wide variety of specialized topics that have some relevance to space engineering as well as to other engineering disciplines.

Click here for a complete list of AOSS course descriptions. Courses are subject to change, so please see your advisor.

Program Administration

Two Program Advisors representing the Departments of Aerospace Engineering and AOSS jointly administer the MEng in Space Engineering Program. Interested students are enrolled in either Aerospace or AOSS.

Example MEng Audit

PDF file