1. Introducing the newest program USMA has to offer.…..
Space and Missile Defense (SMD) Program
Space Science Major
Space Science Minor
Reasons to study Space Science at USMA…
Space exploration is exciting…
The universe has peaked curiosity throughout human history…
Space is fascinating…
Satellites, Planets, Stars,
Spacecraft, Rockets, Missiles, Lasers…..
All the (right) stuff you’ve dreamed of….
Don’t just dream it….LIVE it!!!
Missile Defense is relevant…
Space is competitive, congested, and contested…
Space is dangerous…
Space is the final frontier and the ultimate high ground!

2. Space Science
Our modern lives have increasingly benefitted from the knowledge of the space environment, utilization of satellites and spacecraft, and application of space-based technologies in the 21st century. Space Science is the science of the space environment as well as the science behind the technology of spacecraft, satellites, and space exploration. Some of those technologies and systems that society has benefitted from include: space weather and terrestrial weather forecasting satellites; position, navigation, and timing (PNT) enabled devices such as GPS; satellite communications; missile defense systems; and remote sensing systems used to observe our planet, our heliosphere, and beyond our solar system. Through the understanding of the aforementioned technologies and systems, space scientists develop and assemble a myriad of technical devices that are so much a part of a modern space-enabled profession. The program in Space Science integrates all these facets of space-enabled technology to develop a fundamental knowledge that can support a variety of technical interests and activities in future years. The major is designed to provide the cadet a solid foundation in orbital mechanics, the space environment, attitude determination and control, satellites communications, space structures, astronomy, astrophysics, space physics, remote sensing, and rocket propulsion. Opportunities are available to perform research at DoD and other laboratories that conduct space and missile defense related research during the summer.

3. Space Science Space Science Student Learning Outcomes
1. Cadets can apply mathematical and scientific knowledge to identify, formulate, and solve Space Science problems.
2. Cadets can conduct experiments, apply the scientific method, as well as analyze and interpret data.
3. Cadets can function on multidisciplinary teams to effectively formulate, state, describe, summarize, and communicate contemporary space issues, National Strategic Space Policy and associated technology; analyze and examine the professional and ethical aspects of the aforementioned.
4. Cadets can describe and summarize the technology of a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability.
5. Cadets can recognize the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning; explain relevant, contemporary issues and concepts needed as a space-enabled professional.

4. Space Science Major (SSC0) 8-Term Academic Plan (8TAP)
Space and Astronautics Major Notional 8TAP
Space Science Major (SSC0)
8-Term Academic Plan (8TAP)
4th Class Yr
3rd Class Yr
2nd Class Yr
1st Class Yr
Fall
Spring
CH101
CHEMISTRY
PH205
PHYSICS 1
PH206
PHYSICS 2
SS202
POL. SCIENCE
PL300
MILITARY LEADERSHIP
SS307 INT’L. RELATIONS
PH456
SCIENCE & POLICY
LW403
LAW
EN101
ENGLISH
EN102
SS201
ECON.
PY201
PHILOSOPHY
3 COURSE ENGINEERING SEQUENCE
MX400
OFFICER-SHIP
MA103
INTRO TO CALCULUS
MA104
CALCULUS 1
MA205
CALCULUS 2
MA364
ENGINEER MATH
PH ELECTIVE PH365 or PH381
PH384
OPTICS
PH485
LASERS
EV478 MIL. GEOSPATIAL OPERATIONS
HI10_
US HISTORY
REGIONAL HISTORY
L_203
LANGUAGE
L_204
PH382
ELECTRO-DYNAMICS
EE301
ELEC. ENG.
HI302
MILITARY ART
EV377
REMOTE SENSING
IT105
INFO. TECH.
PL100
PSYCH.
MA206
PROB & STAT
EV203
GEOGRAPHY
SP471
ASTRO-NAUTICS
SP472
SPACE PHYSICS
SP473
ASTRO-NOMY
SP474
ASTRO-PHYSICS
SA473 is Introduction to Astronautics
Legend shows the color coding for “threads” of classes that correspond to areas of SMDC interest.
Courses that have multiple colors correspond to multiple areas of interest. Specifically, the 3 course engineering sequence can correspond to cyber operations or missile defense depending on which sequence the Cadet chooses. Some of those choices are: Cyber Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering.
The electrodynamics class supports knowledge or development in directed energy, missile defense, and astronautics. The cyber operations elective or the thermodynamic elective will support knowledge or development in cyber operations or astronautics respectively.
Legend (Space and Missile Defense areas of interest):
Space Science
Directed Energy
Missile Defense
Cyber Operations
Policy Development

5. Space Science Minor – Inherently, Extremely Integrative
Cadets from a large number of majors learn about space-related topics and how those topics align with their respective major.
Cadets become the multi-domain leaders of tomorrow; leveraging knowledge of the space environment, space capabilities, and space threats into the planning of all domains of battle (land, air, sea, cyber, and space).
SP473: Astronomy
3 space-related courses (SP471, SP472, and SP473) AND 2 electives within almost any major!
Class 2020
15 CDTs in minor
3 Physics
2 Mechanical Engineering
2 Nuclear Engineering
2 Economics
1 Computer Science
1 Systems Engineering
1 Civil Engineering
1 International Relations
1 Electrical Engineering
1 Life Science
SP471: Astronautics
SP472: Space Physics