Also called: Satellite Operations Technician, Spacecraft Operator
Talks to satellites and space probes through giant antennas, sending commands and collecting data.
On shift in an operations center, you track satellites as they pass overhead, send them commands, and download data. When something goes wrong, you're first to spot it.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Associate's degree (2-year), about 2 years after high school. Associate degree in electronics, Space Force or Air Force training, or a bachelor's degree.
Ways in: 2-year college, Military, On-the-job training, 4-year college. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Electronics Technology, Aerospace Technology.
Growing faster than average. BLS does not project this specialty separately; rating estimated from related occupations.
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. Ground stations are increasingly automated and cloud-run; fewer operators per shift, mostly handling problems.
Classes: Physics, Electronics CTE, Computer applications.
Official data: O*NET occupation 17-3029.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.