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Astronautical Engineering encompasses the dynamic and cutting-edge fields of advanced science and space technology. Space is increasingly important for our economy and national security as well as exploration. The United States depends on space assets more than any other nation on earth, and we lead the world in exploration and utilization of space. Space engineers design and build rockets and space launchers, communications and direct broadcasting satellites, space navigational systems, remote sensing satellites, manned space vehicles, and planetary probes. They operate complex earth-orbiting space systems and rovers on Mars from sophisticated ground control centers. There is no better academic major than Astronautical Engineering in which to obtain the education and to acquire the skills needed for space engineers.

Focused, intellectually fit, and blending the science and engineering fundamentals with specialized astronautics knowledge, Astronautical Engineering graduates are well prepared to join the space industry and government space research and development centers.

Ad Astra!
Dan Erwin, Chairman

USC Nano-Satellite Blasts Off From Cape Canaveral on SpaceX Launch

USC-Northrop Grumman-Applied Minds CAERUS package in 90-minute orbit, testing communications unit

December 09, 2010 - All systems were go -- and went perfectly -- December 8 at Cape Canaveral, with the newly developed Falcon 9 heavy lift vehicle sending into earth orbit NASA's Dragon capsule, accompanied by a number of nanosatellites including a unit developed by the Space Engineering Research Center. SERC is a joint effort between ASTE and ISI, providing critical support to both student involvement and the very fast timeline to develop the spacecraft as well as a mobile ground station equipped with a 3-meter tracking dish.

The nanosatellite, a 3U cubesat called "MAYFLOWER", is a Next Generation Technology Nanosatellite that is a joint effort with Northrop Grumman NOVAWORKS division. USC provided a 1U unit, called CAERUS (the Greek word for "opportunity") to support communications. Its development at USC was originated and led by David Barnhart, with him, his colleague Tim Barrett, and their team working with Northrop Grumman NOVAWORKS division and SERC researchers and students (led by Professors Joseph Kunc and Dan Erwin) to add a compact and robust communication package to the entire 3U nanosatellite bus. Some parts of CAERUS were supplied by Pumpkin Inc., the renowned Cubesat developer. The nanosatellite is orbiting around the earth about every 90 minutes at an altitude of more than 300 kilometers. (Details on the project and its current orbit can be found at http://serc.usc.edu/projects/caerus .)

Barrett, technical specialist Jeff Sachs, and a team of students from ASTE and other departments at USC led by Will Bezouska and Michael Aherne delivered CAERUS in May 2010 just fourteen weeks after receiving authorization to proceed on the project.

This was only the 2nd flight of Space X's Falcon 9 vehicle, with the first launch of the company's "Dragon" man-rated reusable capsule. This was the very first commercial flight of a recoverable capsule demonstrating the ability to carry astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS), truly a breakthrough for the private space industry in the United States.

"Indeed, it's a good day for USC," said Joseph Sullivan, Assistant Director at Information Sciences Institute. "It is amazing what can be accomplished in hands-on programs with students with a passion for space" said Joseph Kunc, the Faculty Advisor to the students.

The USC team will go back into space in 2012 with a different satellite project, this time a 3U CubeSat called AENEAS.