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| SPAT0035-1 | Space exploration
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| Duration : | 30h Th, 10h Pr |
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| Credits/ECTS : |
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| Holder(s) : | Grégor Rauw |
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| Language : | Langue française |
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| Course contents : | Spacecraft (satellites or probes) have allowed to achieve considerable progress in many fields of space science including the exploration of the Solar System, geophysics as well as phenomena that occur far away in the distant Universe. This course provides an introduction to various concepts that play a role in modern space missions from the very early stage of the spacecraft design up to the exploitation of the scientific results. |
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| Course objective : | We start with a short overview of the history of space exploration from the Spoutnik satellite to modern spacecraft. We then review some fundamental concepts of celestial mechanics necessary to understand the differents types of orbits used for different missions. The design of a space mission and the scientific exploitation of its results require a deep knowledge of the spacecraft environment and an accurate calibration of the instruments onboard. A major part of this course is therefore devoted to the study of the various external parameters that impact on the design of the mission as well as to the calibration methods (both on-ground and in-orbit). Several examples of modern space missions are presented to illustrate the different steps from their initial conception to the exploitation (and interpretation) of the data collected. The course ends with the presentation of new concepts for future spacecraft. |
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| Prerequisites : | Good knowledge of mathematics, physics, and classical mechanics. |
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| Workshops : | Several hands-on session are organised including one where the students simulate the conception of a space mission with a specific scientific objective. |
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| Organization : | About 30 hours of lectures followed by several hands-on sessions. |
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| Written notes : | The lecture notes are provided in English. |
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| Assessment : | The evaluation will include the short report that the students will prepare based on the hands-on sessions as well as an oral presentation by the student on a project for a future mission. |
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| Contacts : | Gregor Rauw
Research Associate FNRS
Institut d'Astrophysique et Géophysique, Bât. B5c,
Allée du 6 Août, 17
4000 Liège
Tel. +32-(0)4 366 9740
e-mail: rauw@astro.ulg.ac.be |
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| Remarks : | N/A |
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