Studies in Space Exploration

• • Ground-based space exploration: telescopes, detectors, limitations of ground-based observations
  • Unmanned space exploration: orbiting observatories, planetary missions, observing asteroids, comets, the sun, the heliopause and beyond
  • People in space: manned versus robotic missions, space stations, colonisation and terraforming
  • Evolution of human space flight: from fireworks to the V-2 rocket, Sputnik to Gargarin, to the Moon or bust, from Skylab to the Space Station.....
  • Spacecraft design, launch and navigation: a probe for every purpose, lift-off and boosters, docking and course correction, navigating in space.....
  • Imaging and remote sensing: instrumentation, telemetry, communication, space observatories, data processing and manipulation
  • Fuelling interplanetary missions: energy sources and techniques used in past, present and planned space missions, designs and intended uses.....
  • Costs, risks and benefits: scientific, legal and ethical dimensions: the science goals, public perception, legal implications and ethical consid'ns..

Equivalent subjects

You cannot enrol in this subject if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:

• SWI-HET610

You must have successfully completed the following subject(s) before starting this subject:

SWI-AST80005-Exploring the Solar System, or SWI-HET602 ;

Special requirements

No special requirements

This subject presents the basic principles, issues and scientific goals in space exploration, and traces its history and development with particular reference to manned versus unmanned space exploration, spacecraft design, launch and navigation, imaging and remote sensing. Public perception of space science and analysis of the costs, risks and benefits of space exploration are discussed with special reference to ethical and legal implications of topics, such as the use of radioisotope fuel sources, 'space junk' and mining rights in space.

• Newsgroups (30%)
• Project (50%)
• Online tests (20%)

Current study term: 28 Feb 21 to 30 May 21