Collegiate Aviation Review International, Volume 35, Issue 2 © 2017
Yash Bipinchandra Mehta (2013), found yet another list of most important topics. His top ten list included: • Spacecraft Systems • Propulsion • Orbits • Space Policy and Law • Satellite Applications • Life Support Systems • Commercial Space Programs • Space Radiation • Microgravity • Space History Both of these studies surveyed industry professionals to find their final list of most important topics. The consensus among the studies was not available at the time of this study, and there were multiple reasons for this. One example is the nascent nature of the industry, and as such, it does not yet truly understanding its needs. Additionally, each study surveyed “industry professionals”, but it is not clear whether or not the professionals of each study have equivalent functions and thus, may see different needs. Regardless, of the addition of additional results, each study does provide some insight into the needs of the industry at this time and should be considered before building a new curriculum. Further research may find these results are strengthened or weakened, or more likely, split up into requirements for different focused areas such as management, production, or support. Further research This research is just the first step in defining expectations for a new program and is not expected to be complete in and of itself. The needs of industry are complex and need more indepth examination. Understanding requirements and their focus areas in greater detail could reconcile the different results from multiple studies. Curriculum needs should be separated into groups to provide differentiation between the programs. The requirements for those in management, support, and production are different, and should have different curriculum outcomes. Additionally, further probing on the meaning of the topics is needed to better understand the results. For instance, this survey combined a number of topics under “systems unique to spacecraft”. Gaining greater granularity for understanding exactly what that means is vital to the graduation of successful students. Understanding the connection between student engagement and retention with reference to commercial space programs is fundamental to a successful program. What topics are critical to cover for students to remain and thrive in a commercial space program?
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