Careers in the Space Industry that aren't Aero/Mech

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on identifying STEM-related careers in the space industry that are not primarily focused on Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering. Participants explore various roles and fields that contribute to the industry, including technical and non-technical positions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether there are STEM careers outside of Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering in the space industry.
  • Another participant argues that aerospace companies require various non-engineering roles such as bookkeepers, accountants, and computer programmers, suggesting that the inquiry may be too narrowly defined.
  • A participant acknowledges the presence of physicists in engineering roles but notes they may face disadvantages in that context.
  • There is a discussion about the inclusion of Computer Science as a part of STEM, with a participant affirming its relevance.
  • Additional fields mentioned include physics, metallurgy, materials science, chemistry, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, and biology & medicine for live payloads.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the definition of STEM careers in the space industry, with some emphasizing the need for engineering roles while others highlight the importance of various scientific and technical fields. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the breadth of non-engineering STEM careers available.

Contextual Notes

There is a lack of consensus on what constitutes a non-engineering STEM career in the space industry, and the discussion reflects varying interpretations of the term "STEM." Some roles mentioned may depend on specific definitions and contexts.

Yashbhatt
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Are there STEM related careers in the space industry which are different from Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering? If so, what are they?
 
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Every company involved in aerospace operates an office, just like any other company. They need bookkeepers, accountants, computer programmers, etc. If the company is involved in hardware production, they need machinists, assemblers, test personnel, packing and shipping people.

You might look at what I have said above and respond, "But that's not STEM," to which I would have to say, you have narrowed the field to what is largely an engineering function and then asked for a non-engineering job. That's a pretty tough order to fill.
 
Dr.D said:
Every company involved in aerospace operates an office, just like any other company. They need bookkeepers, accountants, computer programmers, etc. If the company is involved in hardware production, they need machinists, assemblers, test personnel, packing and shipping people.

You might look at what I have said above and respond, "But that's not STEM," to which I would have to say, you have narrowed the field to what is largely an engineering function and then asked for a non-engineering job. That's a pretty tough order to fill.
I get that. Do they need physicists?
 
It is not uncommon to find physicists doing engineering work, but they are often at a disadvantage.
 
Okay. Thanks. And isn't Computer Science a part of STEM?
 
a lot of others, including:

physics; metallurgy; materials science & engineering; chemistry; chemical engineering; electrical engineering; computer science & engineering; math ...

and (for live payloads) biology & medicine
 

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