The Aerospace Corporation
Nonprofit that operates the federally funded R&D center for the U.S. space enterprise, giving independent technical advice on national security and civil space programs.
Overview
The Aerospace Corporation operates the federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) for the national security space enterprise. Rather than building satellites or rockets for sale, its roughly 3,600 technical staff review designs, analyze launch readiness, run laboratories, and advise government customers including the U.S. Space Force and NASA. Its headquarters is in Chantilly, Virginia, with major offices in El Segundo, California and Colorado Springs, Colorado and smaller sites at space bases and NASA centers around the country. It offers internships and co-ops for college students and hires new graduates at all degree levels.
Student Insights
Citizenship and clearance
Aerospace states that all employees in organizations with technical responsibilities must apply for and maintain at least a Secret clearance, and that U.S. citizenship is required for those positions.
What interns do and where
Interns are paired with technical mentors and take part in the company's TECTalk networking program. The company publishes intern housing guidance for sites in California, Virginia, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, Alabama, and Maryland, which shows where intern positions are located. A University Partnership Program links the company with selected universities, and a small number of high school opportunities run through its K-12 STEM programs.
AI Outlook
Aerospace applies AI to satellite operations and runs AI-focused technical workshops for national security space, alongside its core role of independent technical analysis.
- Collaboration with Google Public Sector on agentic AI for satellite operations (2026)
- AI for Contested Space workshop (2026)
Student Hiring
Typical Roles
Notable Programs
- FFRDC for the national security space enterprise
- University Partnership Program
- K-12 STEM programs
Career Connections
AeroEd career pathways relevant to The Aerospace Corporation.