Space Instruments


course ID

Lecturer

CFU

6

Length

14 Weeks

Semester DD

First


Course details

The first part of the course aims to provide the students with basic and advanced knowledge of the major problems concerning space instruments construction. Physical environment in space, mechanical and thermal design of the instruments, electronics and related radiation hardness, SEU and latch-up problems, data handling and power supply systems, instrument reliability, project management and control, documentation, quality assurance estimation. The interaction mechanisms relevant for radiation detectors will be discussed as well as the most significant space instruments for Earth observation and cosmic ray, X, gamma detection. Several instruments and probes will be examined in detail. The second part of the course discusses orbital mechanics, rocket and interplanetary probes and the history of space exploration.

Objectives

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Understanding of problems related to construction of space instrumentations, space environment and spaceflight.

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:
Knowledge of problems of spaceflight and space environment.

APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:
Apply the above knowledge to specific problems.

MAKING JUDGEMENTS:
Capability to judge among various solutions using various methods, analytical and numerical.