Understanding Space 101

Based on the award-winning text Understanding Space: An Introduction to Astronautics, this is the same aeronautics course presented to over 20,000 space professionals from NASA, ESA, US Air Force, and major companies in the space industry. Previously this course was only available to aerospace organisations and their personnel onsite. Now it is available to all space professionals and the general public through this unique online course! This course is designed to make you “space smart,” by building your understanding and appreciation for the complex requirements of space missions.

Course Topics:

Space in Our Lives
• Space in Our Lives
• Elements of a Space Mission
• A Brief History of Space
• The Space Enterprise
• Space Systems Engineering
• Mission Management, Space Operations
• Down to Earth Issues Exploring Space
• History of Early Explorers and the Coming of the Space Age

Orbits & Trajectories
• The Space Environment
• Understanding Orbits
• 2-body Problem and Constants of Motion
• COEs, Ground Tracks and Basic Orbits
• Perturbations and Special Orbits
• Maneuvers, Rendezvous
• Launch & Reentry

Space Systems
• Observation Payloads
• Electrical Power
• Attitude and Orbit Control
• Communication, Data Handling
• Structures and Thermal
• Rockets, Launch Vehicles

Space 101

Want a basic introduction to space?

• 24 guided lectures – presented by the author of Understanding Space – spanning every aspect of space mission design, development, technology and operations – nearly the equivalent of a semester-long course!
  • Continuous feedback on your progress through study guides and quizzes
  • Explore topics of interest with In-depth learning modules on a growing range of space issues, technologies and missions
  • 100% self-paced – you have up to 4 months to complete the course on your own time when it is convenient
  • 24/7 access to all course material through our exclusive learning management system

Please allow for up to two working days for our team to send you login credentials.