Since the earliest civilizations, mankind has been fascinated with outer space. One look to the heavens at night and it’s easy to see why. From the twinkling of stars light years away to the incredible sight of comets and meteors traveling through the cosmos, it’s the kind of setting that inspires imaginations to run wild. Even today, at a time when humans know more about space than ever before, children still dream of a career involving interstellar exploration and adventure. Although few will end up fulfilling the fantasy of space travel, employment opportunities abound that can bring an individual closer to the cosmic realm. Here are some of the most popular space-based careers.

Engineers

Perhaps the most highly advanced career on the planet, aerospace engineers use their vast intelligence to explore the world beyond Earth. These are the professionals responsible for conceptualizing, designing, constructing and testing the spacecrafts and other equipment that travels and studies space. The work requires constant problem-solving, leading to exciting technological discoveries and advancements. Some of the most interesting and important work has surrounded the creation of the Curiosity, the most advanced rover ever built, which landed on Mars in 2012 and continues to provide valuable information about the planet.

Astronomers

In a way, astronomers are like children, albeit incredibly intelligent ones. The discipline encourages individuals to stretch one’s imagination to its limits, and then there are the toys. Highly-complicated and expensive scientific equipment to be more accurate, but it still must feel like playtime when astronomers use telescopes, spacecraft, cameras and other technical devices to study solar systems, galaxies, planets and black holes.

Writers

A writer may never leave the comforts of home, but his or her imagination takes readers to places both far and fantastic. Douglas Adams, Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, James S.A. Corey and Andy Weir are just some of the noted authors whose explorations into the world of cosmic fiction have inspired countless numbers of future thinkers, tinkerers and explorers.

Technicians

The equipment that collects and analyzes astronomical data is quite advanced, and as such it requires a highly trained professional to service, repair or replace. It might not be quite as exciting as a career in engineering, but don’t mistake that for being easy. The job of aerospace technicians, after all, is literally rocket science. It’s also a vital position. Avionics technicians are charged with installing and testing the communication and navigation systems that are critical to a mission’s success.

The television show “Star Trek” called space the final frontier, but in terms of employment opportunities, things are only beginning. These careers and many others await those who dream of boldly going where no man has gone before.