Space Mission Design and Operations from edX

Space exploration is a very exciting subject. Consider the achievements of Sputnik 1, Yuri Gagarin's first flight in space, the Apollo missions to the Moon, followed by the Shuttle program, the Hubble Space Telescope launch and maintenance on orbit, and finally the assembly and exploitation of the International Space Station. These were challenging undertakings involving space agencies and industrial teams of several nations, and private companies as well. Space telescopes are in service, and several components of the solar system have been and are still actively visited by a number of unmanned probes and robots providing us with precious knowledge about our space environment as well as the far away Universe.

This course builds on university level physics and mechanics to introduce and illustrate orbital dynamics as is applied in the design of space missions. Simple tools will be provided to allow planning of missions on orbit around Earth or in the Solar System. You will learn from the experience of Claude Nicollier, one of the first ESA astronauts, specifically through his involvement in the Shuttle project and his role in the maintenance of the Hubble Space Telescope on two occasions.

The course focuses on conceptual understanding of space mechanics, maneuvers, propulsion and control systems used in all spacecraft. You will gain knowledge of the challenges related to the use of the space environment as a platform for scientific and utilitarian purposes.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Fundamental laws of mechanics and orbital mechanics
Orbital maneuvers
Types of space missions and their objectives
Space environment
General concepts of space vehicle architecture

Propulsion
Attitude determination and control
Onboard systems
Risk management and reliability
Key design elements for successful missions, in particular related to human spaceflight

Fundamental laws of mechanics and orbital mechanics
Orbital maneuvers
Types of space missions and their objectives
Space environment
General concepts of space vehicle architecture
Propulsion
Attitude determination and control
Onboard systems
Risk management and reliability
Key design elements for successful missions, in particular related to human spaceflight

Syllabus

Unit 1 - Introduction to Space Environment

Unit 2 - Introduction to Orbital Mechanics (I and II)

Unit 3 - Orbital Mechanics Part III

• Rendezvous in Low Earth Orbit (LEO); relative motion of the chaser vs. the target. Strategy to successfully achieve a rendezvous in LEO

Unit 4 - Orbital Mechanics Part IV

Unit 5 - Introduction to Space Systems and Space Tethers

Unit 6 - The Space Shuttle and the International Space Station (ISS)

Unit 7 - Special Subjects on Human Spaceflight, and Future of Space Exploration

Unit 0 - Introduction to the Course• Course objectives• Motivation behind space exploration and utilization• The space pioneers, and brief history of human space exploration• The main space agencies in the world• Space utilization and exploration

• Review of laws of mechanics• Introduction to the space environment including the transition from the atmosphere to space, microgravity, the electrical and thermal environments, orbital lifetime, space debris and asteroids/comets collision threats

• Orbital Mechanics I - dynamics of spaceflight; concept of gravitational well; orbital motion; Kepler's Laws; the case of circular orbits• Orbital Mechanics II - elliptical orbits; reference frames; orbital maneuvers; perturbations of orbital motion; peculiar orbits

• Interplanetary trajectories; Gravity Assist or Slingshot maneuvers• Propulsion in space - law of propulsion; concept of specific impulse; types of thrusters; electric propulsion; ascent into space, and re-entry

• Attitude measurement and control; attitude change; electrical power generation and distribution (overview); thermal balance (overview)• Space tethers (or cables) as an alternate method to generate electrical power on orbit; Dynamic applications of space tethers, Shuttle-based tether missions• Reliability; systems redundancy; risk management; safety design for space systems; human rating concept

• Space Shuttle - concept; design; operations; Challenger and Columbia accidents• ISS; Soyuz and Progress; Logistic supply to ISS with ATV, HTV, and commercial vehicles

• Extravehicular Activity (EVA) and space suits, space robotics• Astronaut training , commercial space , suborbital flights• Orion and the Space Launch System (SLS)• Future of Space Exploration and Conclusion

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides a conceptual foundation for beginners with little to no background in orbital mechanics

Taught by Claude Nicollier, a renowned astronaut with extensive experience in space exploration and space missions

Designed for those interested in understanding the scientific principles behind space exploration, including orbital dynamics and mission design

Covers a comprehensive range of topics in space mechanics, from orbital maneuvers to propulsion and control systems, providing a strong foundation for further exploration in the field

Includes real-world examples and case studies, such as the Hubble Space Telescope and the International Space Station, to illustrate the practical applications of orbital mechanics

Emphasizes the importance of safety and reliability in space exploration, addressing risk management and human rating concepts

Reviews summary

Excellent and rigorous space science course

Learners say this rigorous space science course is filled with engaging assignments, clear explanations, and practical examples.Taught by an astronaut with first-hand experience, this course's up-to-date materials are a huge benefit to learners. However, difficult exams and a high workload may be challenging for some students.

Excellent Instructor

"It's a beneficial course. I gained a lot of information about space mission design and operations."

"Moreover, Prof. Claude Nicollier has an outstanding ability to explain and clarify information."

Excellent course materials

"Eight thrilling weeks of study, filled with hours of exciting videos, clear explanations and stories about such an interesting and unique space experience and science!"

Can be challenging

"be prepare for lots of hard work"

"If you're looking for an introductory course, this isn't one."

Be prepared for a high workload.

"But if you're looking for a thorough astronautical, aeronautical and astrophysical technical course, you're in the right place."

"The amazing thing is that the professor gives you his first-hand experience as an astronaut, and the course also covers the most recent space project, being one of the few courses that are so much up-to-date."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Space Mission Design and Operations with these activities:

Volunteer at a Space Science Museum

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Hands-on experience in a space science museum can supplement your understanding of space exploration.

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Contact the museum and inquire about volunteer opportunities
Attend training and participate in museum activities

Review Kepler's Laws

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Kepler's Laws are fundamental to understanding orbital dynamics, so refreshing your knowledge of them will prepare you for the course.

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Read through online resources
Draw diagrams to visualize the concepts

Connect with Space Industry Professionals

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Mentors can provide valuable guidance and insights into the field of space exploration.

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Attend industry events
Reach out to professionals on LinkedIn

Five other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all eight activities

Read 'Fundamentals of Astrodynamics'

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This book provides a comprehensive overview of astrodynamics, which is the foundation of orbital mechanics.

View Fundamentals of Astrodynamics: Second Edition... on Amazon

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Read designated chapters
Take notes and highlight key concepts

Follow Tutorials on Spacecraft Propulsion

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Understanding spacecraft propulsion systems is crucial for mission planning, and tutorials can provide valuable insights.

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Find tutorials from reputable sources
Watch videos and read documentation

Create a Model of a Spacecraft

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Creating a model of a spacecraft will help you visualize the concepts of spacecraft design and construction.

Browse courses on Spacecraft Design

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Choose a spacecraft to model
Gather materials
Build the model

Practice Orbital Maneuver Calculations

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Orbital maneuvers are essential for mission planning, so practicing these calculations will enhance your understanding of the course material.

Browse courses on Orbital Mechanics

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Find online problem sets
Solve problems using the provided equations

Design a Mission to the Moon

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Designing a mission to the Moon will require you to apply the concepts of orbital mechanics and mission planning.

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Research mission objectives
Determine the trajectory
Design the spacecraft

Career center

Learners who complete Space Mission Design and Operations will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Payload Specialist

Payload Specialists are responsible for operating and maintaining scientific experiments on spacecraft. This course may be useful as it provides a foundation in space mechanics, maneuvers, propulsion, and control systems used in spacecraft. This knowledge can help you in understanding the operation of spacecraft and in preparing for the challenges of space travel.

See salaries and explore the career path for Payload Specialist

Mission Specialist

Mission Specialists are responsible for operating and maintaining spacecraft systems, conducting experiments, and performing spacewalks. This course may be useful as it provides a foundation in space mechanics, maneuvers, propulsion, and control systems used in spacecraft. This knowledge can help you in understanding the operation of spacecraft and in preparing for the challenges of space travel.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mission Specialist

Astronaut

Astronauts are responsible for operating and maintaining spacecraft, conducting experiments, and performing spacewalks. This course may be useful as it provides a foundation in space mechanics, maneuvers, propulsion, and control systems used in spacecraft. This knowledge can help you in understanding the operation of spacecraft and in preparing for the challenges of space travel.

See salaries and explore the career path for Astronaut

Spacecraft Operator

Spacecraft Operators are responsible for operating and maintaining spacecraft from the ground. This course may be useful as it provides a foundation in space mechanics, maneuvers, propulsion, and control systems used in spacecraft. This knowledge can help you in understanding the operation of spacecraft and in developing new and innovative space technologies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Spacecraft Operator

Satellite Engineer

Satellite Engineers are responsible for designing, developing, testing, and maintaining satellites and other spacecraft. This course may be useful as it provides a foundation in space mechanics, maneuvers, propulsion, and control systems used in spacecraft. This knowledge can help you in understanding the design and operation of spacecraft and in developing new and innovative space technologies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Satellite Engineer

Rocket Scientist

Rocket Scientists are responsible for designing, developing, testing, and maintaining rockets and other spacecraft propulsion systems. This course may be useful as it provides a foundation in space mechanics, maneuvers, propulsion, and control systems used in spacecraft. This knowledge can help you in understanding the design and operation of spacecraft propulsion systems and in developing new and innovative space technologies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Rocket Scientist

Spacecraft Systems Analyst

Spacecraft Systems Analysts are responsible for analyzing the performance of spacecraft and other space systems. This course may be useful as it provides a foundation in space mechanics, maneuvers, propulsion, and control systems used in spacecraft. This knowledge can help you in understanding the operation of spacecraft and in developing new and innovative space technologies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Spacecraft Systems Analyst

Space Systems Engineer

Space Systems Engineers are responsible for designing, developing, testing, and maintaining spacecraft and other space systems. This course may be useful as it provides a foundation in space mechanics, maneuvers, propulsion, and control systems used in spacecraft. This knowledge can help you in understanding the design and operation of spacecraft and in developing new and innovative space technologies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Space Systems Engineer

Aerospace Engineer

As an Aerospace Engineer, you will be responsible for designing, developing, testing, and maintaining aircraft, spacecraft, and other related systems. This course may be useful as it provides a foundation in space mechanics, maneuvers, propulsion, and control systems used in spacecraft. This knowledge can help you in understanding the design and operation of spacecraft and in developing new and innovative space technologies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Aerospace Engineer

Astrophysicist

Astrophysicists study the physical properties of the universe, including stars, galaxies, and the cosmic microwave background. This course may be useful as it provides a foundation in space mechanics and orbital mechanics, which are used to study the motion of celestial objects. This knowledge can help you in understanding the universe and in developing new and innovative space technologies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Astrophysicist

Astronomer

Astronomers study the universe using telescopes and other instruments. This course may be useful as it provides a foundation in space mechanics and orbital mechanics, which are used to study the motion of celestial objects. This knowledge can help you in understanding the universe and in developing new and innovative space technologies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Astronomer

Cosmetologist

Cosmetologists provide beauty treatments to clients, such as haircuts, styling, coloring, and skin care. A course on Space Mission Design and Operations may not be directly relevant to this career, but it could provide you with some transferable skills, such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and attention to detail.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cosmetologist

Gardener

Gardeners maintain and care for plants and landscapes. A course on Space Mission Design and Operations may not be directly relevant to this career, but it could provide you with some transferable skills, such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and attention to detail.

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Librarian

Librarians help people find and access information. A course on Space Mission Design and Operations may not be directly relevant to this career, but it could provide you with some transferable skills, such as research, critical thinking, and communication.

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Teacher

Teachers educate students in a variety of subjects. A course on Space Mission Design and Operations may not be directly relevant to this career, but it could provide you with some transferable skills, such as communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving.

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