Earth and Space Observations MSc
Subject to Validation

In this module, you will learn about the principles of remote sensing. You will learn about electromagnetic radiation, characteristics of sensors and platforms, and key remote sensing techniques including but not limited to photogrammetry, altimetry, and multispectral and SAR imagery. In addition to learning the theory behind remote sensing, you will also gain hands-on experience in acquiring drone measurements and processing and interpreting remotely sensed data through computer-based practical exercises. You will develop your confidence, skills, and abilities in data acquisition, processing and analysis, and problem solving.

In this module, you will learn about the applications of satellite data to observe and monitor our planet, developing your skills in dealing with Earth Observation datasets. You will learn about the different applications of satellite data to monitor the different components of the Earth system, including the ocean, cryosphere, and atmosphere. You will gain hands-on experience in extracting key information from satellite data for a variety of applications through computer-based practical exercises. You will develop your confidence, skills, and abilities in satellite data processing, data visualisation, problem solving, and science communication.

This module provides you with a vehicle for developing, refining and applying your research skills in an independent project of your choice. Guided by a staff member, you will plan, carry out, and report the outcomes of an independent research project to professional standards. You will identify stakeholders in your research and describe the projected impact your research holds for them. To prepare you for life as a research professional, assessments emulate authentic professional documentary formats aimed at disseminating your findings to ensure they develop real-world impact. You will thus develop expertise in:



• Planning, developing and executing a substantial piece of independent research. 
• Evaluating and applying concepts, models and theories to consolidate and extend your knowledge in your chosen field of study. 
• Sourcing, reviewing and synthesising a variety of information sources. 
• Gathering, analysing and presenting complex data. 
• Effective written, verbal and visual communication to a variety of audiences. 
• Applying creative and innovative approaches to problem solving. 
• Reviewing appropriate ethical, health and safety, commercial and/or confidential data protection issues associated with your research.

The module provides students with skills and knowledge to develop scientific and/or electronic systems for space applications. The topics covered are:

The space environment - launch, orbits, rocket equation, drag, radiation, vacuum, thermal gradients.

Satellite systems and system development for space applications - radio communication, ground stations and link budgets, solar power, data processing, Earth observation, optimisation of systems for space, materials choice for space, component characteristics, mechanical and thermal testing.

Product Acceptance and Qualification Assurance for space – industry standards for space-worthy design, functional testing, simulation of operations, verification and validation processes.

Environmental Testing – theory and practice of vibration testing, resonant sweeps, shock tests and random noise tests. Theory and practice of thermal vacuum testing, the effect of vacuum on electronics and thermal cycling. Theory and practice of radiation testing, how radiation effects electronics, how to design to be radiation tolerant, and testing components in the x-ray irradiator.

This module will familiarize you with the main spacecraft subsystems and their design constraints. You will also learn how these subsystems influence each other as part of a systems engineering introduction.

You will cover the subsystems: structures and mechanics, including deployable assets, attitude determination and control system, electrical and power systems, thermal control systems, communication system including ground support, and the data handling system. For each of the systems, different options and their advantages and drawbacks will be discussed. In the workshops, you will be asked to apply your new knowledge to problems related to those systems and perform trade-off analyses.

You will learn about systems engineering approaches commonly used in the space industry such as requirements engineering and concurrent design. We will also explore risk and change management.

The workshops will provide opportunity to use the design principles to design each subsystem to a given set of requirements. This will be the basis for the first and second assessments, which are a Preliminary Design Review (PDR) presentation and report. The first assessment will allow you to work in a group to design an optimised subsystem as part of a full satellite system.
After the presentation, the teaching team and members of all other teams will provide you with Review Items that should help you improve your design and prepare you to write a detailed individual subsystem PDR report for the second assessment.

In this module, you will learn about the techniques and technologies used to observe the space environment, from remote sensing of space from both space-based and ground-based platforms to in-situ measurements of space plasmas. You will develop an understanding of how different observation methods work including how imaging, magnetotelluric techniques, atmospheric drag measurements, satellite constellation data, and spectroscopy are used to study the Sun, Earth's magnetosphere, and the wider space environment. A major theme of the module is space weather and you will learn how observations feed into our understanding of space weather processes and their impacts on critical national infrastructure. Through hands-on computer-based workshops using real mission data and Python-based analysis tools, you will gain practical experience in processing, analysing, and visualising space observation datasets. The module culminates in an interactive space weather disaster scenario exercise, developing your ability to apply observational knowledge to real-world operational challenges.

This module will provide you with an understanding of the various concepts and themes that permeate contemporary space governance. You will critically examine the way in which space exploration is governed on a national and international level. The module will examine the governance of traditional space activity: the development of satellite communications, military activity in space, the use of interplanetary probes to gain scientific data and also human spaceflight. The module will introduce ideas of space law, alongside astropolitics, international relations and broader policy considerations in the governance of space. Study on this module will consider the commercial, academic and security issues in respect of the governance of human activity in outer space. There will be consideration of the environmental impact of space activity and related attempts to incorporate notions of sustainability in space governance. The role of national space legislation and softer, non-binding agreements will also be critically evaluated. You will immerse yourself in the space environment and formative assessment will be by means of peer discussion in workshops. Participation and engagement with the wider space industry, such as external space-related blogs, will be facilitated. The module will also feature input from experts in the field of space exploration and will provide an exciting and contemporary critique of contemporary space governance.