This two-year program is focused on an exciting and prestigious area - design of a spacecraft. This includes integration of complex technical systems that must work in an extreme environment - space. The course is given in Kiruna, the “space capital” of Sweden.
This program is a modern and focused program that aims at the rapid development in the space industry towards smaller spacecrafts with short development times. First year courses are necessary for second year studies as you develop a spacecraft in a computer environment.
A spacecraft, which also is called a satellite if its orbit is bound to a celestial body, is designed around the payload instruments it shall carry and the environment it shall function in. You learn about the various subsystems which make up the spacecraft and how it communicates with the surrounding world. Furthermore, you get an understanding for the specific space electronics and typical space materials that are required and learn how the on-board computers and the propulsion work. Orbit and attitude dynamics as well as control of these are necessary for a successful mission.
During the first year's spring term, you begin a project work that will continue during the second year's autumn term. In this project you will in collaboration with other students physically build some instrument that maybe will be launched with rocket or a high altitude balloon to the stratosphere. You will also work on a computer design of a spacecraft in collaboration with other students during the second year's autumn term.
Your master thesis work is performed at a space technology company, space organisation, or academic department, in Kiruna or other parts of the world.
Outcome:
You will learn about a satellite's different subsystems, what is needed in order to manage its propulsion, attitude control, thermal balance and electric power systems. Of course, all the electronics have to cope with the space environment. The spacecraft must have telecommunication with Earth and perhaps also with other satellites.
The spacecraft carries a payload and will operate in a special orbit in space. Therefore, you must be able to calculate the spacecraft's orbit i various coordinate systems. You will also learn how several typical payload instruments are designed.
During the programme's second year, you and your fellow students build at least one payload instrument that can be placed on a spacecraft. The instruments can be tested in a vacuum chamber, in a shaking machine and in high altitude balloons sent up from the nearby rocket- and balloon base Esrange.
In a computer environment you will also learn how to design the spacecraft that will carry the payload you build. This work is performed with the method concurrent engineering, several groups work at the same time with different subsystems and have intense communication with other groups. This method speeds up the design process.
