Frequently Asked Questions
Can we offer you our products and/or services? How do we become an Aerospace supplier?
The Aerospace Corporation obtains products and services to support business operations. We actively encourage and seek suppliers classified as Small, Small-Disadvantaged, Women-Owned, and HUBZone Small Businesses. Our Procurement personnel may consider multiple factors such as business experience, financial stability, technical qualifications, price and delivery when awarding orders. Suppliers are encouraged to present innovative ideas and technologies, while continuing to emphasize price, performance, quality and delivery.
Our Procurement Department will conduct and conclude all negotiations and has the sole authority to commit funds for purchases and to authorize the commencement of work. Procurement is centrally located at our El Segundo, California facility. You are encouraged to contact Mr. Michael J. Cryderman, Small Business Liaison Officer (SBLO) at 310.336.1198 for more information and to obtain a Supplier Profile Form. Upon receipt, your profile will be forwarded to the cognizant Procurement personnel.
How can I become an astronaut?
The Aerospace Corporation does not provide astronaut training. We recommend that you visit the NASA Web site for information regarding astronaut training.
What courses are necessary for a space-related career?
Typical academic backgrounds include mechanical and aeronautical engineering, civil engineering, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, and physics. Most of our technical and scientific employees have extensive academic backgrounds (29% PhDs, 41% MS, 28% BS degrees).
You can find more information online about space-related careers at The Aerospace Corporation current job openings page and the NASA Education site.
Where can I submit a resume?
Resumes can be submitted on our Online Career Center. For information on how to use our Online Career Center, please visit the How to Apply page.
Does The Aerospace Corporation hire private contractors or consultants?
Yes, but typically private contractors and consultants are identified and contacted by internal Aerospace groups requiring their specialized expertise.
Does The Aerospace Corporation have internships?
Yes, information about summer internships can be found on our Summer Internship page in the employment section.
What are your current job openings?
Current job openings can be found on our Employment page. Openings are generally available at many of our corporate locations, including sites in California, Colorado, Maryland, Virginia, and other states.
How can I add a GPS receiver to something?
The Aerospace Corporation supports the United States Air Force's operation of the Global Positioning System, but we do not manufacture GPS receivers or related items. We suggest that you visit the GPS World Online site to find out how GPS receivers can be embedded into various objects.
Where can I find more information concerning GPS?
There is a wide range of information about the Global Positioning System online. Take a look at some of the following sites to find more information:
How can I contact an Aerospace employee?
A majority of Aerospace employees can be reached using a generic e-mail address in the following syntax: firstname.middleinitial.lastname@aero.org (e.g., Jon.Q.Doe@aero.org). If you do not know the middle initial of the person, firstname.lastname@aero.org may work.
How can I get a copy of the GPS Primer or the Space Primer?
You are welcome to download and print as many of these primers as you would like in PDF (Portable Document Format). PDF requires the free Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to view and print.
- GPS Primer (pdf)
- Space Primer (pdf)
Limited numbers of hard copies of these primers can be requested by sending e-mail to our Public Affairs Department.
How can I get a copy of Aerospace technical reports?
Requests for copies of Aerospace technical reports should be sent to the Lauritsen Library of The Aerospace Corporation, 310.336.5110. Please provide the report number, author, or title.
You should be aware, however, that most Aerospace reports have restricted distribution requirements. Lauritsen Library personnel will be able to tell you more, should the report you want be restricted.
How can I get a copy of the Annual Report?
You are welcome to download and print the latest annual report from The Aerospace Corporation in PDF (Portable Document Format). PDF requires the free Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to view and print.
- Annual Report (pdf)
Limited numbers of hard copies of the annual report can be requested by sending e-mail to our Public Affairs Department.
How can I see a rocket launch?
The Aerospace Corporation supports various civilian and military launches. However, we do not control visitor access to rocket launches. You should contact the organization controlling the launch pads themselves, to learn more about arranging a possible visit to witness a launch.
For west coast launches, see information on the Vandenberg Air Force Base Web site. For east coast launches, general information is available on the NASA site.
How can I ask a NASA scientist a question?
The Aerospace Corporation supports various NASA programs. However, we do not forward questions placed here to their personnel. If you would like to ask a question of a NASA scientist, see information on the NASA Scientist Home Page.
How can I get more information about meteors?
Meteors, meteoroids, comets, and asteroids are all fascinating space phenomena. Areas that provide online information regarding meteors include:
How can I get travel information?
Due to contractual obligations, Aerospace does not permit casual access to its facilities. However, visits are available to a number of space-related locations. The following sites provide information on how to arrange a visit.
Can I use photos or text found on your site?
The information on our Web site is freely available and can be used by others as long as they abide by our terms of use. All photographs and images are copyrighted and approval is required before use. If you do wish to use our material, please send a request to our Public Affairs Department. Use of our material should be credited to "The Aerospace Corporation", along with a link to our home page, http://www.aero.org/, where appropriate.
Can we add a link to your site from our site? Will you link back to us?
Per our terms of use, any organizations wishing to link to The Aerospace Corporation Web site should submit requests to our Public Affairs Department.
In general, because of governmental requirements against potential conflict of interest, The Aerospace Corporation does not link to the Web sites of commercial organizations.
