PHY 5002F – INTRODUCTION TO SPACE TECHNOLOGY
Course coordinator: Dr Peter Martinez
26 lectures, 3 individual assignments, 3 workshops
Prerequisites: BSc or completed 3rd year Engineering.
Course outline: Space technology underpins the modern information society. This course provides a broad introduction to the scientific, technical, policy and legal aspects of conducting space missions and the benefits of space applications to society.
The course comprises a core lecture component, taught by experts from a range of space disciplines. The lectures are complemented by course readings on topical developments in the international space arena. Deeper understanding of the lecture material is explored in individual assignments and workshops.
The core lectures cover the following topics:
• Introduction to the space environment
• Orbits and basic astrodynamics
• Space system design
• Satellite communications
• Remote sensing of the Earth
• Satellite navigation systems
• Space policy
• Space law
• Intro to system engineering
• Space and society
• Global Navigation Satellite Systems
• Satellite Design
• Introduction to Telemetry, tracking and command
• Introduction to space geodesy
• Searching for life on other worlds
• Engineering aspects of Earth observation systems
• Satellite design
• Space launch systems
Assessment: Examination 3 hours (90%), Individual Assignments (10%)