Schools To Space – Page 2 – SpaceTEC® – National Science Foundation's Center for Aerospace Technical Education

With a robust satellite launch market and the US space program returning to human spaceflight, SpaceTEC^®recognizes a need for STEM educators to have fresh resources when it comes to teaching space related activities and introducing students to Aerospace STEM careers. In April of 2015, SpaceTEC^®launched an outreach program called “Schools-to-Space^®,” to provide primary and secondary STEM educators the tools to teach space appropriately, with an emphasis on the role of a Certified Aerospace Technician^® in the aerospace industry.

There are careers in the space industry that extend beyond simply becoming astronauts. Not to minimize the role these individuals perform, because they are exceptional human beings, but for every astronaut who travels to space, thousands of scientists, physicists, engineers, technicians, logistics, safety and other professionals do the work necessary to get them there.

For example, what exactly is an aerospace technician? Well, to put it simply, an aerospace technician is a STEM professional who “assembles, services, tests, operates, and repairs systems associated with both expendable and reusable space launch vehicles, payloads, related laboratories, and ground support equipment.” – Florida Resource Center

In 2015, the average age of an aerospace technician working on space programs was 53, indicating a high demand for skilled workers in this field would emerge.
Fast forward to 2024, the bulk of our nation’s aging workforce has begun to retire, there’s a massive backlog of spacecraft to place into orbit and commercial space companies have begun to emerge in significant numbers. As this has occurred. the number of openings for aerospace technicians has expanded dramatically.
In 2022, it was projected there will be FIVE Human Space Flight programs, both government and commercial, launching from Kennedy Space Center. There are now 14 licensed spaceports across the US and more than 200 companies actively producing spacecraft and launch vehicles.
The median annual wage of an aerospace engineering and operations technician in the US was $77,830 in 2023. (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Glassdoor recently reported the average annual salary for an Aerospace Engineering Technician in the US in 2024 is $84,970.

To see the services we provide beyond this website, please view the Schools-to-Space Outreach flyer here or visit our contact page to request more information.

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Who is SpaceTEC®?

SpaceTEC® is a National Resource Center for Aerospace Technical Education that provides skill-based, nationally recognized professional certifications for the U. S. Aerospace Industry. All SpaceTEC® certifications are performance driven, based on technician competencies valued by industry competing in today’s global economic environment.

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SpaceTEC® Schools-to-Space® Program

With a robust satellite launch market and our national space program’s imminent return to human spaceflight, SpaceTEC® has recognized a need for STEM educators to have appropriate resources when it comes to teaching space related activities and introducing students to the STEM career of Aerospace Technician. In April of 2015, SpaceTEC® launched an outreach program called “Schools-to-Space®,” to provide primary and secondary STEM educators the tools to teach space, with an emphasis on the role of a Nationally Certified Aerospace Technician® in the aerospace industry.

What is an aerospace technician? An aerospace technician is a STEM professional that “assembles, services, tests, operates, and repairs systems associated with both expendable and reusable space launch vehicles, payloads, related laboratories, and ground support equipment.” – Florida Resource Center

As of 2015, the average age of an aerospace technician was 53, indicating a high demand for skilled aerospace technicians in the near future as our nation’s aging workforce begin to retire.
By 2022, it is projected there will be FIVE Human Space Flight programs, both government and commercial, launching from Kennedy Space Center.
The median salary of an aerospace technician is $62,680 in 2013. (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

To see the services we provide beyond this website, please view the Schools-to-Space Outreach flyer here or visit our contact page to request more information.

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Category Schools To Space

SpaceTEC® Schools-to-Space® Program

Who is SpaceTEC®?

SpaceTEC® Schools-to-Space® Program

Who is SpaceTEC®?

SpaceTEC^®Schools-to-Space^®Program