2020-2021 / SPAT0058-1

Observing Earth from space

Duration

15h Th

Number of credits

 Master in space sciences (120 ECTS)2 crédits 

Lecturer

Christian Barbier

Language(s) of instruction

English language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

The design of a space mission for a given application must start from an expressed need, which is going to impact the choice and the specification of one or several sensors (VIS/NIR multi- or hyperspectral, microwave radiometer, imaging radar,...); this sensor delivers a signal that must be reconstructed by a processing chain into a basic product (e.g., an image) reflecting a given physical observable. From this basic product, value-aded information (e.g., relief, land-use, humidity or crop status maps) will be extracted via (sometimes very advanced) post-processing, to satisfy user's needs. Based on this need - sensor - basic product - value-added product structuration, applications shall be considered, corresponding to main components of the Earth system, i.e. : atmospheric monitoring (atmosphere), topographic mapping (lithosphere), vegetation monitoring (biosphere), and soil moisture monitoring (hydrosphere). Emphasis shall be put on missions in progress or planned in a near future in Europe, possibly with the participation of Belgium.
This course complements the following courses :
- SPAT0035-1 Space Exploration (G. Rauw) ;
- SPAT0032-1 Remote Sensing (C. Barbier) ;

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

The aim of this course is to provide an overview of the context and the environment in which a scientific investigator has to work when he/she is responsible of a space instrument or a space mission.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Bachelor in science or engineering

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The lectures shall combine technical formal developments as well as descriptive information. The emphasis shall be put, less on assimilation than on the capability of acquiring an integrated (system-oriented) and multidisciplinaryapproach of a domain.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

6 lectures (total 15 h).

Organisational adjustments related to the current health context

Teaching at distance.
A priori, oral examination at distance. Each student prepares a short presentation of a topics selected from the course materials.

Recommended or required readings

The Powerpoint slides are updated each year, and will be made available via the sudent portal.
Reference books:
Given the restricted volume of the course, we do not advice any reference book.

Assessment methods and criteria

Below you will find information on the evaluation methods planned for in-person and remote exams as well as those planned for hybrid sessions. Depending on how the health crisis evolves, the chosen method will be communicated to you no later than one month before the start of the exam session.

Any session :

- In-person

oral exam

- Remote

oral exam

- If evaluation in "hybrid"

preferred remote


Additional information:

Oral exam.

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

None

Contacts

Lecturer : Christian Barbier
Centre Spatial de Liège Bât. B29 Avenue du Pré-Aily 4031 Angleur Belgique
Tél: 04 3824621 email: cbarbier@uliege.be