Careers in space – Scientists
What is the universe made of? Has there ever been life on Mars? What effects do humans have on the Earth's environment? If you've ever asked yourself those types of questions, you have one of the defining traits of a scientist: curiosity!
What does a scientist in the space sector do?
Scientists in the space sector ask questions, conduct research, and use science to better understand how and why things happen in our universe. Their goal is to advance knowledge so that it can be applied to technology development in many fields.
Overall, a scientist's work in the space sector can consist in:
- asking questions;
- collecting data;
- interpreting that data;
- advancing knowledge by developing theories;
- applying that knowledge to technology development.
The three categories of space science
In the space sector, scientific activities belong to three main categories: space, planets and life. To find the right career path for you, take a look at the questions below. Do some of them pique your interest more than others?
Space
What are black holes? What is dark matter? How do gravitational waves behave?
Fields of work: Astronomy, astrophysics, physics
Planets
Are there other planets like Earth? What are the effects of pollution on the Earth? What makes up the atmosphere of a certain planet?
Fields of work: Atmospheric sciences, geology, meteorology
Life
Is there life on other planets? Could life's building blocks have come from asteroids? How does space affect the human body? Could we grow plants on Mars?
Fields of work: Biology, medicine, nutrition
These categories often overlap with one another. For example, as astrobiologists research the possibility of life in the universe, their work falls into all three categories.
Collecting data to grasp the universe's mysteries
In the space sector, scientists collect data from many sources to perform their research and answer the big questions. Data can come from satellites, telescope images, experiments on the International Space Station (ISS), fieldwork in different regions on Earth, or even celestial bodies that have fallen to Earth.
Some scientists in the space sector use satellite data to study the cause and rate of climate change on Earth and its effects on wildlife. Others use rovers to analyze rocks on the surface of Mars to determine if there could have ever been life on the red planet. Scientists can even do fieldwork in the Arctic to simulate and try to understand environments on other planets.
2013-07-21 – Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen learns techniques for conducting geological fieldwork in the High Arctic that could be applied during future missions to the Moon or an asteroid. (Credit: Canadian Space Agency)
2017-09-19 – Satellite data can be used to measure, analyze and track weather events such as hurricanes. (Credit: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)/Reuters)
2013-01-07 – Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield stores biological samples in a freezer aboard the ISS. The samples are then analyzed on Earth by scientists to understand the effects of space on the human body. (Credit: NASA)
2016-09-26 – Data and images from the Galileo spacecraft, the Voyager probes and the Hubble Space Telescope were combined to show what might be plumes of water erupting on Jupiter's moon Europa (at the 7 o'clock position in the image). This makes Europa an interesting candidate for research into possible forms of life in our solar system. (Credits: NASA, ESA, W. Sparks (STScI), USGS Astrogeology Science Center)
What should I study to become a space scientist?
Four fundamental fields of scientists
To shed light upon the mysteries of the universe, scientists specialize in four fundamental fields:
- mathematics
- physics
- chemistry
- biology
As you are studying these subjects, you will find that science opens your eyes to new horizons. But before deciding on a specific career path, be sure to work hard in these four fields if you wish to become a scientist.
Students in a science class.
Programs of study
As with all space careers, there are many paths you can take to become a space scientist depending on the questions you wish to help answer. Here are some of the programs of study you could choose:
- Aeronautics,
- astronautics,
- astronomy,
- atmospheric sciences,
- biology,
- ceramics,
- chemistry,
- computer science,
- planetary science,
- geology,
- geophysics,
- mathematics,
- mechanics,
- metallurgy,
- meteorology,
- oceanography,
- physics,
- space science
You could also study health and life sciences to learn about the effects of space on human health. Go to our Health sciences careers page for more information.
Education requirements
You can find work as a scientist with one of the following degrees. However, a Ph.D. and a postdoctoral fellowship could give you access to researcher positions.
- Bachelor's degree – Three to four years of study
- Master's degree – Two additional years of study
- Ph.D. – Three to five years of study following a master's degree
- A Ph.D. could allow you to work in research. Researchers help advance knowledge in their area of expertise. That knowledge may then be used in the development of new technologies.
- Postdoctoral fellowship – Two years of activity following a Ph.D.
- You could do a postdoctoral fellowship if you want to further the research conducted during your Ph.D. Post-doctorate research experience is often required to obtain a position in a university department or research institute.
What are some of the fields of work of space scientists?
Space scientists can specialize in many different fields that relate to the study of space, planets and life in the universe, including astrophysics, biology, chemistry, geology, meteorology and physics. They can work in the government, the private sector or academia.
Here are some of the fields of work of space scientists. Note that many of these fields can intersect with one another and specialists in different fields often work together.
Astronomy – Studying planets, stars, and galaxies
Astronomers study the planets, stars, and galaxies. They conduct astronomical research by planning experiments and observations with telescopes located both on Earth and in space. They design and build instruments, collect data, and use high-performance computers to enhance and analyze that data. They also develop physical models to explain their observations.
Thanks to advances in technology, astronomers can now observe objects emitting high-energy radiation (X-rays and gamma rays) in regions of the universe where stars are being formed and violent events are taking place, or low-energy radiation (microwaves and radio waves) from cold clouds of gas and dust, asteroids and comets. Current astronomy research includes observing stars (from birth to death), supernovae, pulsars and gamma-ray bursts; studying black holes and dark matter; and detecting gravitational waves.
2004-03-09 – This view of nearly 10,000 galaxies of various ages, sizes, shapes, and colours captured by the Hubble Space Telescope was the deepest visible-light image of the cosmos that had ever been taken. (Credits: NASA, ESA, S. Beckwith (STScI), HUDF Team)
2015-03-25 – The James Webb Space Telescope is the most complex and powerful telescope ever built. It will use infrared light to study every phase in cosmic history, ranging from the first luminous glows after the Big Bang, to the evolution of our own solar system. (Credit: Canadian Space Agency)
Atmospheric science – Understanding planetary atmospheres
Atmospheric scientists study the atmosphere of planets, including that of Earth. The dynamics and composition of planetary atmosphere are studied in order to understand their current state, how they function, how they have evolved, and how they may change in the future.
Two important areas atmospheric scientists study are the Earth's ozone layer, which protects us from the sun's radiation, and climate change, characterized by a gradual rise in the average global temperature.
Chemistry – Studying the composition of planets and celestial bodies
Chemistry is the study of matter, its composition, the transformations it undergoes, and the interaction between atoms and molecules.
In the space field, chemists analyze data gathered by different means such as space probes, which orbit other planets or asteroids. They also use space telescopes to identify the composition of celestial bodies.
This is done in the hopes of discovering the presence of such elements as water and minerals that could be a sign of life on other celestial bodies and lead to future space expeditions.
Geology – Studying rocky planets
Geologists study rocky planets, how they were formed, what they are made of, and how they are changing. In space science, geologists analyze data from instruments on satellites, rovers, and landers. For example, images from orbiting cameras can be used to examine the characteristics of planetary surfaces. Rover-based spectrometers produce data on the composition of rocks. Heat probes on landers can help determine the structure of planetary interiors.
2015-07-27 – Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut David Saint-Jacques trains in the Kaskawulsh Glacier in Yukon to learn techniques for conducting geological fieldwork that could be applied to future missions to Mars or other celestial bodies. (Credit: Laurent Mingo)
Mathematics – Using complex calculations to find solutions
Mathematicians work on problems related to space science using various branches of mathematics: algebra, geometry, calculus, probabilities and statistics. Their calculations help in the design of spacecraft and advanced computer software.
Meteorology – Studying the weather of planets
Meteorologists study the weather in order to make short-term forecasts. They gather information on clouds, radiation, winds, hurricanes, dust, and precipitation from special instruments on board orbiting satellites and from ground-based and airborne observations. Climatology is the study of weather changes over many years.
Oceanography – Studying sea water and ocean life
Oceanographers study various aspects of Earth's oceans and seas, including the characteristics of sea water and plants and animal life in the ocean. They collect and analyze data from Earth observation satellites and other sources in order to conduct research in areas such as sea currents and tides.
2014-08-18 – The Surface Water and Ocean Topography mission, scheduled to launch in 2021, will survey 90% of the Earth's surface water. (Credit: CNES)
Physics – Studying the general properties of matter, space and time
Physics is the study of the general properties of matter, space and time. Physicists seek to establish laws on natural phenomena or formulate theories that explain them.
Physicists are essential to the space program. They observe space using telescopes and instruments that are located on Earth or in space. Based on their observations, they elaborate or fine-tune theories, design experiments to be conducted, and develop advanced instruments in an effort to better understand our universe.
Particle physics, fluid mechanics, plasma physics and optics are some of the sub-disciplines that play an important role in the space program. Other areas of study include Earth's magnetosphere, the structure and dynamics of the sun, the interplanetary environment, and the physics of materials under weightless conditions.
2016-02-19 – Aastronaut David Saint-Jacques explains the historic detection of gravitational waves. (Credits: CSA, JPL-Caltech, NASA, LIGO Scientific Collaboration, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT))
