Astronautical Engineering The Astronautical Engineering (ASTE) program provides the fundamentals of science and engineering with specialized courses in astronautic and technical electives. ASTE students learn spacecraft and launch vehicle design and operations, propulsion, orbital mechanics, spacecraft dynamics and control, navigation, instrumentation and sensors, and much more.
ASTE operates world-class research facilities such as the Collaborative High Altitude Flow Facility (CHAFF) space simulation chamber, a six-meter cryogenically cooled chamber capable of testing propulsion systems in high vacuum. JOIN ONE OF ASTE’S STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS ● Rocket Propulsion Lab ● Liquid Propulsion Lab ● Students for the Exploration & Development of Space (SEDS) USC Chapter POPULAR STUDY ABROAD SITES ● University of Auckland ● National University of Singapore ● Hong Kong University of Science & Technology
RESEARCH
CAREERS Lauren Potterat, BS, MS 2021, Astronautical Engineering Executive Engineer, Rocket Propulsion Laboratory (2020-2021) Starship Software Engineer, SpaceX
Dr. Dan Erwin
AREA OF RESEARCH: Astrodynamics, autonomous vehicles RESEARCH PROJECT: AI for low thrust spacecraft trajectory design
At SpaceX, I design and implement simulation software that stress tests Starship’s various operational configurations. I work closely with hardware, software, and flight operations engineers who use this software to verify vehicle readiness for flight. I have traversed several roles at SpaceX (including Mission Control Operations, Operator Training and Mission Management) and have found my experience in USC RPL critical in building the foundational engineering skills I apply daily - grit, willingness to fail quickly and iterate, and the importance of the interpersonal connections as we endeavor to make human spaceflight safer, faster, and more accessible than ever before. The most valuable lesson I learned from my time at USC (particularly USC RPL) was to fail forward, fail fast, and frequently (almost unapologetically) question your assumptions. Per aspera ad astra!
COURSES: ASTE 101 (Introduction to Astronautics) and ASTE 280 (Foundations of Astronautical Engineering) FUN FACT: Dr. Erwin likes to ride motorcycles and mentors the Rocket Propulsion Lab
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USC VITERBI SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
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