Postgraduate SWI-AST80017-2021

Studies in Space Exploration

Launch through the cosmos and trace the history and progress of space exploration. Navigate the risks and benefits. Observe and explore crewed versus robotic galactic missions. Unearth ethical and legal debates. Probe public perceptions.

Study method

100% Online

Available loans

FEE-HELP

Assessments

100% online

Prior study

Required

Swinburne University of Technology leads the way with innovative and new ways of teaching, learning and thinking. It offers a wide range of study options, from pre-apprenticeships, undergraduate, postgraduate and PhDs, including online degrees with Open Universities Australia. Swinburne is known for career-oriented education and encouraging lifelong learning.

QS RANKING 2021

Times Higher Education Ranking 2021

2021

Subject details

What you'll learn

At the completion of this subject students will be able to:

Identify and describe the basic principles, issues and science goals in space exploration
Discuss and explain the history and development of space exploration, especially issues such as manned versus unmanned space exploration, spacecraft design, launch and navigation, imaging and remote sensing, and the biomechanics of space flight, in a non-technical way understandable to the wider public
Recognise how the social implications of space science and an analysis of the costs, risks & benefits of space exploration, including the ethical and legal implications of topics such as the use of radioisotope fuel sources, 'space junk' and mining rights in space
Use problem solving skills to explain solutions to problems in space exploration
Design and create a research project using credible sources of astronomical information and research articles and/or observational means.

Topics covered

- 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..

Entry requirements

Equivalent subjects

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

SWI-HET610 (Not currently available)

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

one of

SWI-AST80005-Exploring the Solar System
SWI-HET602 (Not currently available)

Additional requirements

No additional requirements

Description

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.

Assessments