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:
- Appreciate design problems in an environmental context
- Communicate effectively using written and verbal methods
- Study and learn independently
- Develop balanced arguments to justify design or operational decisions
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Explain the effects of spaceflight on humans
- Justify the need for human spaceflight
- Identify and evaluate the effects that humans have on the space environment
- 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
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- How humans can survive in the space environment
- The characteristics of the space environment, including the space debris environment
- What measures are needed to ensure the long term sustainability of space activities
- How humans are affecting the space environment
- Space weather, space climate and space debris drivers
- How the space environment affects human and robotic systems
- How measurements of the space environment can be made
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)
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Tutorial | 2 |
| Revision | 10 |
| Preparation for scheduled sessions | 18 |
| Follow-up work | 18 |
| Completion of assessment task | 6 |
| Wider reading or practice | 62 |
| Lecture | 28 |
| Seminar | 6 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Internet Resources
Assessment
Formative
This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.
Essay/briefing plansSummative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Continuous Assessment | 20% |
| Final Assessment | 80% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| 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.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Set Task | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External