SpaceTEC Partners, Inc.
Overview
Beginning as a National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education grant supporting aerospace technical education in 2002, SpaceTEC, an NCCRS member since October 2016, has distributed more than $10M in grant funding over the past 15 years throughout the aerospace and aviation education communities building a robust educational and credentialing resource.
SpaceTEC Partners, Inc. (SPI) was formed in 2009 to manage activities directly or indirectly related to aerospace technician credentialing. SPI was formally recognized as a 501c3 educational non-profit corporation by the US Internal Revenue Service in 2016. SPI is authorized by the FAA Office of Commercial Space to support the nation’s space industry through development of curriculum and performance-based certifications for technicians engaged in space vehicle manufacturing and operations. CertTEC was created by SPI in 2010 to deliver credentials assessing relevant skills and competencies desired in prospective employees throughout aviation, aerospace and related industries nationwide.
Credential Testing Services (CTS) was formed in 2016 to provide accredited non-performance-based certification and third-arty computer-based testing services. SPI programs support commercial space, aviation manufacturing, maintenance and operations, the military and many advanced manufacturing technology education programs across the country with program outcome and student skills validation.
Titles of all evaluated learning experiences
Source of Official Student Records
Descriptions and credit recommendations for all evaluated learning experiences
Proficiency examination; varies.
May 2014 - Present.
Upon successful passing of this examination, students are able to: use knowledge of shop math, metal working tools, quality standards, and the physical properties and working characteristics of materials; to repair, fabricate, modify, install, and inspect structural components and assemblies.
In order to prepare for this examination, students will study the following topics: Introduction to Aviation; Shop Math; Personal/Environmental Safety; Aircraft Materials and Fasteners; Blueprints and Manuals; Aircraft Maintenance and Repair Documentation; Precision Measuring Equipment; Rivet Installation and Removal; Aerostructures Fabrication and Assembly; Aerostructures Repair.
Version 1: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 3 semester hours in Aviation Mechanics, Aviation Structures or Aviation Technology (10/16) Version 2: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 4 semester hours in Aviation Mechanics, Aviation Structures or Aviation Technology (5/23 revalidation).
Proficiency examination; varies.
December 2014 - Present.
Upon successful passing of this examination, students are able to: utilize a fundamental understanding of structural reinforcement material properties and behavior, fabric weave styles, matrix systems, tooling design and curing techniques to achieve desired properties in fabricating composite structures. The technician also applies proper testing techniques to detect damages and perform simple repairs to maintain or restore structural integrity in carbon (graphite), fiberglass, and Kevlar solid and sandwich laminates while adhering to appropriate health and environmental safety controls.
In order to prepare for this examination, students will study the following topics: Composite Technology; Matrix Technology; Fiber Reinforcements; Molding Methods and Practices; Inspection and Test Methods; Adhesive Bonding and Fastening; Repair of Composite Structures; Health and Safety.
In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 3 semester hours (2 semester hours of lecture, 1 semester hour in laboratory) in Composites or Fundamentals of Composites Technology (10/16) (5/23 revalidation).
Proficiency examination; varies.
December 2014- Present.
Upon successful passing of this examination, students are able to demonstrate their skills and knowledge in properly setting up multimeters, oscilloscopes, and function generators to correctly measure voltage, current and resistance for identification of faults in common AC circuits; determine whether transformers are step-up, step-down, or isolation types; whether a transformer is operating correctly or has open or shorted windings; demonstrate the ability to troubleshoot simple RC and RL circuits; measure circuit frequency and amplitude; troubleshoot frequency-sensitive AC circuits and identify defective components.
In order to prepare for this examination, students will study the following topics: Principles of Alternating Current; Generating AC Electricity; Non-Sinusoidal Waves; Resistance in AC Circuits; Oscilloscopes; Frequency Counters; Function Generators; Inductors; RL Series Circuits; RL Parallel Circuits; RL Filters; Introduction to Capacitors; RC Series Circuits; RC Parallel Circuits; RC Filters; RC and RL Time Constants; RC Circuit Transients; Capacitive/Inductive Reactance and LCR Circuits; Series Resonance; Parallel Resonance; Transformer Operation; Relays; Electrical Circuits.
In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 3 semester hours in Electricity and Electronics (10/16) (5/23 revalidation).
Proficiency examination; varies.
December 2014- Present.
Upon successful passing of this examination, students are able to demonstrate skills and knowledge in using a multimeter and an oscilloscope to identify analog circuit types, measure analog circuit values, identify faults in common analog circuits, troubleshoot a simple discrete power supply by identifying signals, following signal flow through the circuit, and identifying faulty components and outputs; use their knowledge of power supplies and analog circuit performance to successfully troubleshoot fault scenarios. Students also will be able to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in troubleshooting MOSFET, IGBT, and SCR switching circuits, safely implement circuit operating procedures to verify proper operation, and successfully troubleshoot various solid state switching circuits.
In order to prepare for this examination, students will study the following topics: Diodes; Junction Diodes; Diode Limiters; Diode Clampers; Electron Tube Principles; Transistors; Transistor Amplifiers; Power Supplies and Diode Rectifiers; Voltage Regulators; Zener Diodes; Zener Diode Regulators; Voltage Regulators; IC Regulators; Voltage Doublers; Multistage Transistor Amplifiers; RC Coupled Transistor Amplifiers; Push-Pull Amplifiers; Field Effect Transistor Amplifiers; Metal-Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors (MOSFETs); Sine Wave Oscillators; Hartley Oscillators; Colpitts Oscillators; RC Phase Shift Oscillators; Crystal Controlled Oscillators; Sawtooth Generator; Blocking Oscillators; Multivibrator Circuits; Astable Multivibrators; Monostable Multivibrators; Bistable Multivibrators; Schmitt Triggers; Trigger Devices; Unijunction Transistor Oscillators; SCR Trigger Circuits; SCR Power Control; Triacs, Diacs, and Four-Layer Diodes; Programmable Unijunction Transistors; Operational Amplifiers; Differential Amplifiers; AM Receivers.
In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 3 semester hours in Electricity and Electronics (10/16) (5/23 revalidation).
Proficiency examination; varies.
December 2014- Present.
Upon successful passing of this examination, students are able to demonstrate skills and knowledge in using a multimeter, oscilloscope, and logic probe and a working knowledge of truth tables and logic gate troubleshooting to identify digital logic circuit types, measure digital inputs and outputs, identify faults in common digital logic circuits, measure the outputs and troubleshoot simple digital logic gates. They are also able to assess and troubleshooting digital timers and flip-flop circuits representing the more common flip-flops found in digital electronics, and familiarity with 555 timers, clock frequencies, adjustments to timing circuitry, and the ability to troubleshoot D-type and JK flip-flops successfully.
In order to prepare for this examination, students will study the following topics: Digital Electronics; Digital Electronics Hardware; Digital Test Equipment; Integrated Circuits; Electrostatic Sensitive Devices; Buffers and Inverters; AND Gates; OR Gates; NAND Gates; NOR Gates; XOR and XNOR Gates; Digital and Analog Switches; Combinational Circuits; Logic Families; Number Systems; Base 10 to Binary Conversion; Binary to Decimal Conversion; Introduction to Latches and Flip-Flops; RS Flip-Flops; D-Type Flip-Flops; JK Flip-Flops; Introduction to Registers and Memory; Serial Shift Registers; Parallel Shift Registers; 64-Bit Memory Circuit; Arithmetic Counting Circuits; Ripple Counter; Up Counter; Down Counter; 4-Bit Adder; 4-Bit Subtractor; Introduction to Conversion and Data Circuits; D/A Conversion; A/D Conversion.
In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 3 semester hours in Electricity and Electronics (10/16) (5/23 revalidation).
Proficiency examination; varies.
December 2014- Present.
Upon successful passing of this examination, students are able to successfully measure voltage, resistance, and current values in a simple series circuit by performing DC circuit calculations and perform measurements using a multimeter to confirm the calculations by demonstrating a working knowledge of Ohm’s Law to successfully evaluate whether the calculations support measured values. They are also able to troubleshoot series, parallel, and series-parallel circuits using a multimeter to measure circuit values to determine if the circuits are working correctly. To determine correct circuit performance, candidates use Ohm’s Law and their knowledge of circuit values in series, parallel, and series-parallel circuits to compare measured values to calculated values. Faults are randomly inserted into the circuit based on specific scenarios provided to the candidate. Although the complexity level of the fault will be standard throughout this performance assessment; the candidate could potentially receive one of dozens of faults for each series, parallel, and series-parallel circuit.
In order to prepare for this examination, students will study the following topics: Safety Practices; Metric Notation; Voltage and Current; Resistors; Switches, Fuses, and Circuit Breakers; Tools for Electronic Troubleshooting; Schematic Diagrams; Magnetism, Relays, and Meters; Introduction to Multimeters; Ohm's Law and Power; Series Circuits; Parallel Circuits; Series - Parallel Circuits.
In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 3 semester hours in Electricity and Electronics (10/16) (5/23 revalidation).
