Career prospects after B.Tech. in Space Technology

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If you are one of those who love to explore the mysteries of outer space and have unique problem-solving skills, then a promising career in space technology is tailormade for you

Space technology, as we know it, plays a crucial role in human lives in myriad ways. From warning people of impending disasters to weather forecasting to climate monitoring, this particular technology saves thousands of lives every year. It’s this kind of depth and breadth of scope in space technology that makes students, with a degree in B.Tech., evince keen interest in this branch of engineering.

Space technology deals with the study of the universe. The basic purpose of this branch of study is to assist spaceflight, satellites and space study. Did you know that a lot of gadgets and emerging technologies are the result of space technology?
 

Scope of Space Technology for a B.Tech. student - 

Once you acquire a B.Tech. in Space Technology, the sky will literally be the limit for you. Job offers will come in thick and fast from top space institutions in India, including the ISRO. If that is not enough, there will always be senior staff to guide a newly minted graduate in space technology.

Make no mistake, there is high demand for space scientists, and they are essentially hired on the basis of their skills. If you are an impassioned space science enthusiast and ready to push forward the frontiers of technology, institutions are always willing to offer you lucrative jobs.

There is a smorgasbord of career opportunities waiting to be tapped for a space technologist. Some of the most sought-after jobs are in areas like weather forecasting, remote sensing, satellite television and long-distance communication systems.

Anybody who has mastered space science can get a call from NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) which is a US governmental agency. It is always a space technologist’s dream to work with NASA.

However, there are no free lunches, so to speak. Space technology is challenging as well as exciting. Individuals, who are driven by a curiosity to make sense of the universe, have it in them to become astronauts. They have to undergo rigorous training and meet certain physical fitness standards to be declared eligible for this post.

If you are one of those who love to explore the mysteries of space and have excellent problem-solving skills, then a career in space technology is tailormade for you.
 

Skills a space technologist needs to possess 

• Analytical skills: Possessing sharp analytical skills is the sine qua non of space technology. It is only through analytical skills that one can assess the benefits of new technologies for facilitating space explorations meant to explore outer space.
• Team worker: Team spirit is a major aspect of space technology as it is marked by discussion and exchange of ideas. Suggestions, when put forth by a team member, is open to debate at times. In the end, after complete unanimity, the mission is launched.  
• Mathematical bent of mind: Mathematical accuracy is integral to space technology. Precise calculations need to be made during space odysseys. Routes for satellites, space probes and rockets are decided with the use of mathematics. Factors like distance, speed and velocity are properly calculated for designing spacecraft.
• Practical training: Many reputed organizations provide internships for young aspirants for space study to get hands-on experience. They get to know in detail about the roles and responsibilities of a space technologist.
• Leadership skills: Leadership skills are much sought after in space technology. Space mission needs someone with excellent leadership skills so that they can lead from the front and take things to their logical end.
• Emotional intelligence: Space organizations have now started to test the level of emotional intelligence in space scientists. Emotional intelligence plays a major role in handling people and facing catastrophes.

Space technology is now pushing the frontiers of change and innovation by developing new applications to meet the growing demands and needs. In India, many start-ups have got into the act of developing their satellites and vehicles to provide space-based services.

With so much advancement in space technology, can the likes of Elon Musk be far behind? SpaceX, a Space Company, owned by Elon Musk, has come up with a unique way to send rockets and bring them back to the earth by vertically landing them on a concrete pad. This is a major technological leap which no aerospace agency has attempted before.

This new-fangled technology has helped lower the cost of launching rockets manifold, improving space travel and space tourism as well.

Consumer products like LED lighting, freeze-dried foods and portable cordless vacuums, are some of the gifts of space technology research.
 

Top recruiters for space technologists - 

Data science companies, Amazon, LinkedIn and Walmart Labs, space research centres ISRO and NASA, are some of the leading recruiters for space technologists.

Also, graduates of B.Tech. programmed in aerospace engineering are hired by ISRO. They are also entrusted with advanced projects.