Aims:
Upon completion of this course, the student is able to:
understand and explain what the specific advantages and constraints of the space environment are for research in fundamental sciences;
understand and explain how living systems are affected by the space environment;
understand and explain what are the major questions of fundamental science in space and how they are addressed;
understand and explain how interdisciplinary crosstalk between science, technology development, and societal aspects is essential for the scientific exploitation and exploration of space.
Module Space Sciences and Exploration (2.5 ECTs):
History of space science
- the origin of space research
- the early epoch of space science
Fundamental science in space
- the advantages of space for fundamental science
- key results in fundamental space science
- worldwide space science programmes
Scientific exploration of space
- the Earth and its environment
- solar-system research
Module Life Sciences and Biology in Space (2.5 ECTs)
With the current progress in space exploration the idea that once men will live on other planets no longer is utopic. Can men, animals and plants survive in space? How will they adapt themselves to this unusual environment? In these lectures a basis is given to address these questions.
Specifically, the major biological processes will be explained as well as the changes induced by microgravity on these systems. The following biological systems will be treated:
- the human body (muscles, bones, heart, equilibrium organs, kidney, eyes, respiration,...);
- plants and cel biology;
- animals (biology of development).
These systems will be studied through different experiments which were carried out at different levels, and by means of handbooks and scientific litterature.
The general consequences of cosmic radiation on biological systems will be discussed.Techniques will be discussed which are used on Earth to simulate weightlessness (parabolic flights, drop towers, bedrest, water immersion), besides the initial research on microgravity in the US, Russia and Europe during the first spaceflights with animals and men, until the Apollo project.
More information at https://onderwijsaanbod.kuleuven.be/syllabi/e/G0S55AE.htm#activetab=doelstellingen_idm8369264
