Department of Astronautics

Antecedent Departments

Astronautics (1958–1967)
Astronautics and Computer Science (1967–1982)
Astronautics (1982–Present)

Department Heads 1958–1960 Col Benjamin P. Blasingame 1960–1962 Col Richard C. Gibson 1962–1963 Col Francis J. Hale 1963–1964 Col Roger R. Bate 1964–1965 Lt Col Richard G. Korthals 1965–1966 Col Roland E. Thomas 1966–1967 Col Bate 1967 Lt Col Jacob C. Baird 1968–1970 Col Bate 1970–1972 Lt Col Bradford W. Parkinson 1972–1978 Col John P. Wittry 1978–1979 Lt Col Edward J. Bauman 1979–1981 Lt Col Thomas J. Eller Spring 1982 Lt Col John A. Zingg 1982–1986 Col Robert B. Giffen 1986–1989 Lt Col Douglas H. Kirkpatrick 1989–1994 Col Giffen 1994–2000 Col Michael L. DeLorenzo 2000–2002 Lt Col Thomas L. Yoder 2002–2005 Col DeLorenzo 2005–2008 Col Martin E.B. France Fall 2008 Lt Col Lynnane E. George Spring 2009 Lt Col William L. Cochran 2009–2014 Col France Fall 2014 Lt Col David B. French 2015–2018 Col France 2018– Lt Col Luke M. Sauter		Permanent Professors Roger Bate Ron Thomas   Jack Wittry Bob Giffen   Mike DeLorenzo Marty France

The Department Today: In 1958, the very year NASA was formed, the department was established. Astronautics focuses on cadet space education: orbits, spacecraft systems, launch vehicles, re-entry, operations, and mission management. The major in Astronautical Engineering is the broad application of science and engineering to aerospace operations. Our majors actually are rocket scientists, and our motto is “Learning Space by Doing Space.” Cadets have designed, built, and launched rockets to the edge of space and have designed, built, and operated satellites that are currently in Earth orbit.

Curriculum: The department teaches 14 courses in Astronautical Engineering, 5 courses in Space Operations, and supports other courses in the Engineering Division.
    Core Course:  Astro Engr 310. Introduction to Astronautics
    Majors:  Astronautical Engineering
         Systems Engineering (Interdisciplinary)
         Space Operations (Interdisciplinary)

Noteworthy: The department’s Space Systems Research Center designs, builds, tests, and flies cadet-built satellites funded by the Department of Defense and various Air Force agencies in order to achieve real Department of Defense space objectives. In addition, our cadets, from fourth year to first year and all majors, operate our ground station, controlling satellites that contribute to our national security and our understanding of the space environment. The astronautics laboratories contain other items unique to an undergraduate school, including facilities for rocket design and build-up and high-fidelity orbital analysis software to support research and classroom activities. The department sponsors the Summer Space Program, a one-week introduction to Air Force space systems, taught by cadets to over 200 cadets per year.