About This Career

Space operations officers manage space flight planning, training, mission control, and other activities involved in launching and recovering spacecraft. They provide consultation and oversight of space systems functions related to operations, development and acquisition, and policy planning. They perform space operations activities including orbital analysis, surveillance, and space warning. They conduct satellite position predictions and perform spacelift operations, including flight control and launch-processing activities.

This career is part of the Government and Public Administration cluster National Security pathway.

A person in this career:

• Advises leaders and staff on the development and acquisition of space systems
• Commands, operates or pilots spacecraft and space vehicles
• Operates and manages space operations systems related to orbital analysis and surveillance, spacelift booster, space warning, and satellite status and control
• Develops policies, procedures, and directives for current and future space systems
• Coordinates with national and international space agencies on satellite launching and related space activities
• Performs space operations training and assesses effectiveness of space systems training and evaluation programs
• Manages budget estimates and financial planning functions according to operational requirements and resources
• Evaluates space activities and systems to ensure compliance with directives and standardized procedures
• Performs satellite position predictions, satellite maneuver planning, and launching
• Performs spacelift operations, including range control and safety, flight control, and launch-processing activities

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

• You would often handle loads up to 10 lbs., sometimes up to 20 lbs. You might do a lot of walking or standing, or you might sit but use your arms and legs to control machines, equipment or tools.
• Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

• Identifying color and seeing differences in color, including shades and brightness
• Judging how far away an object is, or which of several objects is closer or farther away
• Seeing clearly at a distance
• Seeing clearly up close
• Seeing objects or movement to one's side when looking forward
• Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
• Identifying and understanding the speech of another person

Work Hours and Travel

• Irregular hours
• Overnight travel