Want to be part of a new era in space exploration? Ever thought about launching satellites into orbit, conducting science on the moon or a mission to Mars? Today Australia needs skilled specialists to work in a rapidly growing space industry that is worth AU$495 billion. Opportunities exist for you. RMIT will help fill this gap by training the next generation of highly capable graduates who will become leaders in space science.

There is substantial government and industry investment in space science technology that highlights this growing gap in skills, both in Australia and internationally. Graduates will need critical skills in space science and technology, connecting the upstream space (build/launch) and downstream (application of space-related products and services) industries. 

This degree encompasses our space industry and space agency partnerships with government and industry. These include connections with Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Electro Optic Systems, Department of Defence, Geoscience Australia and space agencies around the world such as USA (NASA), Japan, (JAXA), Europe (ESA) and Germany(DLR) Additional facilities at RMIT include  the SPACE Research Centre and the Sir Lawrence Wackett Centre.

There is no degree quite like this one in Australia. We lead the way in both space science and engineering research. We provide a unique mix of physics, engineering, geospatial science, mathematics, and specialised space studies. During your studies, you'll have the opportunity to undertake a 12-week industry placement so you can immerse yourself in the world of space. These placements are run through Boeing, Geoplex and Nova Systems. 

Our facilities include physics and engineering laboratories, workshops, the SPACE Research Centre (satellite tracking and satellite navigation units), Earth observation laboratories, and an optical telescope at our Bundoora Campus. 

Career Outcomes

Graduates of this course will be the connectors, coordinators, managers and visionaries who link information and skills from across the space sector. 

Once you graduate, you’ll be ready to work across the following roles in space science:

• Space industry consultant
• Satellite engineer
• Space debris tracking
• Sounding rocket engineer or scientist
• Payload scientist
• Propulsion technician
• Project manager
• Flight or mission controller

Australia will be creating jobs that relate to communications technologies, services and ground stations, Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and debris monitoring, and Positional, Navigation and Timing (PNT) infrastructure. There will also be many opportunities across Earth Observation (EO) services, research and development and remote asset management.

Professional recognition and accreditation

Once you graduate, you’ll be eligible to become a member of the National Space Society of Australia, the Space Industry Association of Australia, and the Space Association of Australia Inc. There is currently no external accreditation for this course.