The U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School’s Space Test Course will expand into a full 40-credit master’s degree in January 2026, capping a rapid buildout that began as a three-month program in 2021 and transitioned to a year-long graduate certificate in Space Test Engineering in 2024.
The growth of the curriculum — developed with the U.S. Space Force — was in the spotlight during a recent visit to Edwards Air Force Base by TPS graduate, Space Force Guardian and NASA astronaut Brig. Gen. Nick Hague. Hague met with K-12 students, Test Pilot School personnel, Airmen and families, underscoring the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics to national defense and space exploration.
“The strength of the Space Force lies in the dedication and expertise of our Airmen and Guardians,” Hague said. “It’s important to educate people on why research in space is so important and how it fundamentally impacts everyone’s lives on Earth.”
Hague, who served as the chief flight test engineer for the 416th Flight Test Squadron at Edwards from 2005 to 2006 and previously directed Space Force Test and Evaluation, is the first Space Force Guardian to fly to space as part of NASA’s Astronaut Corps. He was joined at Edwards by fellow NASA astronaut and retired Navy Capt. Sunita Williams, who recently returned to Earth as part of the Crew-9/Expedition 72 mission.
“The fundamentals of test are universal, applying across all domains,” Karlen said. “This truth was on display as Hague and retired Navy Capt. Williams spoke to the next generation of test leaders and Edwards AFB. We are proud to walk in the footsteps of these test leaders.”
The Space Test Course, run by the Air Force TPS in collaboration with Space Training and Readiness Command and Space Delta 12, educates up to 24 Guardians, Airmen and joint partners each year to prepare them for leadership roles across the space test and evaluation enterprise. Graduates are expected to lead the planning, execution, analysis and reporting of developmental and operational tests of complex space systems — capabilities the services say are essential for maintaining the United States’ strategic edge.
“The graduates of the TPS Space Test Course have already been leading the charge in a variety of research development test and evaluation roles for the Space Force,” said Andrew Freeborn, Technical Director of Space at TPS. “The partnership between the school and the Space Force has been nothing short of amazing. Brig. Gen. Hague has really personified that in his dual roles as a Space Force Guardian and NASA astronaut.”
“The Space Force through STARCOM, made significant investments into the partnership with U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School and Edwards Air Force Base to produce professional Guardian testers with a multi-domain mindset capable of leading the service in safely pushing the limits of our space systems by ensuring they are combat-credible and ready for the joint fight,” said Lt. Col. David Heinz, U.S. Space Force Deputy Commandant-Space at U.S. Air Force TPS.
“It becomes more critical as Guardians around the globe are responsible for bringing stability to the space domain,” Hague said. “What happens here at Edwards is extremely impactful to the space mission and I wanted to get out here and say thanks to the Air Force, Space Force and NASA.”
