Description of qualifications
The aim of the course is to analyse, describe and explainlearn the basic concepts of space missions and space technology. The delphini-1 space mission will be used as a practical example throughout the course.
When the course is finished the student is expected to be able to:
Discuss and understand the background and content of the theoretical and practical parts of space missions and space communication.
Discuss Celestial Mechanics and Mission Analysis
Discuss and model the space environment (e.g. microgravity radiation, temperature, …).
Discuss satellite communications.
Discuss different techniques for Earth Observations (remote sensing) and astronomy and perform simple data analyses.
Search for relevant scientific literature.
Design a space mission (e.g. with the aim of doing remote sensing, astronomy, monitoring signals of airplanes, etc…).
Collaborate in smaller groups with the aim of producing a scientific analysis.
Present the results as a small talk at a final workshop day.
Contents
The course will provide an introduction to spacecrafts, space systems, and payloads. We will establish the background to understand Celestial Mechanics, Mission Analysis, and the space environment. In addition, the course will give an overview over satellite communications, telemetry and data handling. We will discuss Spacecraft System Engineering with focus on Small Satellite Engineering and Applications. Finally we will give an overview about scientific techniques that can be applied to Earth and Space observations (e.g. Earth remote sensing, Solar System in situ research, astronomical observations).
The practical part of the course will consist of designing a space mission and presenting it.
