Overall Objective

The overall educational objective of the Astronautical Engineering program is to support the NPS mission by producing graduates who have knowledge and technical competence, at the advanced level in Astronautical Engineering, to support national security.

In order to achieve this goal, the specific objectives are to produce graduates who have knowledge and technical competence in the following areas:

1. Orbital Mechanics, Space Environment and Remote Sensing
2. Military Space Systems
3. Project Management and System Acquisition
4. Spacecraft Communications and Signal Processing
5. Computers: Hardware and Software
6. Spacecraft Dynamics, Guidance and Control
7. Spacecraft Structures and Materials
8. Propulsion Systems
9. Spacecraft Thermal Control and Power
10. Spacecraft Design and Integration

Additional objectives include demonstrated competence at the advanced level in one of the primary disciplines of Astronautical Engineering (orbital mechanics, space environment, attitude determination, guidance and control, telecommunications, space structures, spacecraft/rocket propulsion or spacecraft design) and demonstrated ability to conduct and report independent research.  A sample course matrix designed to meet the Program Educational Objective is provided below. 

Course Matrix for MS Astronautical Engineering

Note: * Courses required for Astro track – Advanced Knowledge; Other courses also required for 591-curriculum.