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PHYC40660

Academic Year 2024/2025

The Space Environment (PHYC40660)

Subject:
Physics
College:
Science
School:
Physics
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Morgan Fraser
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Students are given an overview of the space environment, including the vacuum environment; the neutral environment; the plasma environment; the radiation environment; and the micrometeoroid/orbital debris environment. The distinguishing characteristics of different satellite orbits and their uses for a range of space-based applications (e.g. Earth observation and astrophysics, solar system transfers) are developed. The essentials of spacecraft subsystems engineering, including rocket propulsion, are discussed.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this course, the student should be able to:
- construct suitable orbits for various satellite and spacecraft applications;
- compare and contrast space environments of different orbits;
- identify the main effects of the space environment on satellites, and outline mitigation strategies;
- understand and describe the critical elements of spacecraft subsystems engineering;
- apply fundamental physical principles to rocket propulsion.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

16

Autonomous Student Learning

60

Lectures

24

Seminar (or Webinar)

1

Total

101


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Content will be delivered through a combination of lectures and assignments. The module will be taught by a number of lecturers, with specializations in the different topics covered.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (In-person): Terminal exam End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
Standard conversion grade scale 40% Yes

70

Yes
Assignment(Including Essay): Multiple assignments throughout the semester. Precise timing will be adjusted to match content. Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12, Week 14, Week 15 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

30

No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Dr Morgan Fraser Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Lorraine Hanlon Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Antonio Martin Carrillo Lecturer / Co-Lecturer