Space Environment | SESA3038 | University of Southampton

Module overview

This module will provide an understanding of different aspects of the space environment, including space weather, space climate, and space debris, and how these impact on spacecraft design, human and robotic spaceflight, and terrestrial infrastructure systems. It will address the concept of space sustainability, look at ways in which humans are affecting the space environment, and what this might mean for the future of spaceflight. It will complement the topics covered in other part 3 and part 4 modules and provide an important context for spacecraft engineers and students interested in human spaceflight. As well as introducing the fundamental concepts and physical processes influencing the space environment and its subsequent impact on humans and spacecraft, case studies will enable students to explore particular topics at a deeper level.

Linked modules

Pre-requisite SESA2024

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Study and learn independently
Appreciate design problems in an environmental context
Communicate effectively using written and verbal methods
Develop balanced arguments to justify design or operational decisions

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

How the space environment affects human and robotic systems
Space weather, space climate and space debris drivers
How humans can survive in the space environment
How measurements of the space environment can be made
The characteristics of the space environment, including the space debris environment
How humans are affecting the space environment
What measures are needed to ensure the long term sustainability of space activities

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Justify the need for human spaceflight
Describe the roles of the Sun and the Earth in space weather and space climate
Recognise the impacts of space weather, space climate and space debris and debate the advantages and disadvantages of a variety of mitigation measures
Identify and evaluate the effects that humans have on the space environment
Explain the effects of spaceflight on humans

Syllabus

The Space Environment:

Space and near-Earth environment

Effects on materials

Spacecraft charging

The thermosphere and exosphere

Human Spaceflight:

Discovery of post-flight health issues in astronauts

Effect of spaceflight on human physiology and countermeasures

Space Weather:

Types of space weather

Impacts of space weather

Space weather scales

Remote and in-situ monitoring/measurement of space weather

Modelling

Space Climate:

Space climate drivers, solar and anthropogenic

Measurement of space climate

Impacts of space climate change

Modelling

Space Debris:

Natural and artificial space debris

Hazards, including re-entry

Remote and in-situ measurement, space surveillance and tracking

Modelling

Protection

Mitigation, space traffic management, remediation and space sustainability

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching methods include:

Lectures, including PowerPoint and video presentations

Seminars with discussions

Tutorials (focused on coursework assignment)

Learning activities include:

Directed reading

Discussions focused on challenging topics

Computer-based activities (using free-to-use software)

Study time
Type	Hours
Follow-up work	18
Lecture	28
Preparation for scheduled sessions	18
Completion of assessment task	6
Tutorial	2
Seminar	6
Revision	10
Wider reading or practice	62
Total study time	150

Resources & Reading list

Internet Resources

DAMAGE space debris model.

MASTER space debris environment model.

Debris Assessment Software (DAS).

Assessment

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Essay/briefing plans

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Final Assessment	80%
Continuous Assessment	20%

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Set Task	100%

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Set Task	100%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External