Programs
Learn to fly suborbital PoSSUM noctilucent cloud science missions, work in spacesuits, operate PoSSUM instrumentation, and communicate PoSSUM’s science. Graduates are eligible to enroll in IIAS professional certificate programs, apply for opportunities as professional educators, apply for spaceflight grants, or support any of the outreach programs sponsored by the IIAS.
PoSSUM Scientist-Astronaut Program
For professionals holding an accredited B.S. degree
PoSSUM Scientist-Astronaut Program Graduates are eligible to enroll in all IIAS graduate courses, apply for space flight grants, and apply for instructor or technician training. The program is designed for established STEM professionals and educators. All nationalities are welcome to apply. Only 12 candidates are selected for each class.
Tuition: $5000
Upon selection, FAA Class 3 Physical, SCUBA experience, and 25% deposit is required to secure reservation.
Advanced PoSSUM Academy
For undergraduate students and non-STEM professionals
Advanced PoSSUM Academy graduates are equivalently trained and qualified to participate in all IIAS graduate specializations including advanced study in the PoSSUM aeronomy program. Applicants MUST be at least 17 years of age. The program is designed for students currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university. AST 101 graduates with Advanced PoSSUM Academy status may petition for Scientist-Astronaut program equivalency after obtaining a qualifying B.S. degree.
Tuition: $4000
FAA Class 3 Physical and 25% deposit is required to secure reservation. SCUBA experience recommended.
STEP II: Enroll in IIAS Graduate Programs
After graduation from the PoSSUM Scientist-Astronaut Program or the Advanced PoSSUM Academy, you are eligible to pursue a professional certificate in one of the concentrations offered by the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences.
IIAS Aeronomy Certificate
The IIAS Aeronomy Program (PoSSUM) provides a practical education for the professional interested in upper-atmospheric research from research aircraft, high-altitude balloons, and suborbital spacecraft. The IIAS Professional Credential in Aeronomy is a 16-credit certification designed for the student or professional interested in a career in human space flight involving upper-atmospheric research. The credential assumes an understanding of mathematics up to differential equations and familiarization with coding and modeling platforms. Courses include AER 101 (Suborbital Space Environment), AER 102 (Remote Sensing and Mesospheric Imagery), and AER 103 (Airborne Remote Sensing of Noctilucent Clouds). Prospective applicants must have successfully competed the requirements for AST 101 (Fundamentals of Astronautics).
IIAS Bioastronautics Certificate
The IIAS Bioastronautics Program provides a broad, practical education geared to the professional interested in a career in commercial astronautics. The IIAS Professional Credential in Bioastronautics is a 16-credit certification designed for the student or professional interested in a career in human space flight involving the design, integration, test, and qualification of technologies involving the human interface in spacecraft. IIAS offers two concentrations of study in Bioastronautics: IVA Space Suit Test and Evaluation and EVA Space Suit Test and Evaluation. These concentrations are largely independent of each other and may be taken sequentially or concurrently. Courses in the IIAS Bioastronautics Program include BIO 101 (Spaceflight Physiology), BIO 103 (Microgravity Spacesuit Evaluations), BIO 104 (Post-Landing Space Suit Evaluation), EVA 101 (Life Support Systems), EVA 102 (Operational Space Medicine), EVA 103 (Planetary Field Geology and EVA Tool Development), and EVA 104 (Gravity-Offset EVA Space Suit Evaluation).
IIAS Space Flight Operations Certificate
The IIAS Professional Credential in Space Flight Operations is a 16-credit certification designed for the student or professional interested in a career in human space flight involving system engineering, human factors, crew resource management, operational space medicine, space flight simulation, and astrodynamics. Prospective applicants must have successfully competed the requirements for AST 101 (Fundamentals of Astronautics).
IIAS Certificate in Flight Test Engineering
The IIAS Professional Credential in Flight Test Engineering is a 16-credit certification designed for the student or professional interested in a career in aircraft test and evaluation. Courses include FTE 101 (Fundamentals of Flight Test Engineering), FTE 102 (Fixed-Wing Performance Flight Testing), FTE 103 (Fixed Wing Stability and Control Flight Testing), and FTE 104 (High-Performance Flight Testing).