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  6. GL5564: Sustainable deep space exploration and Planetary Protection

GL5564: SUSTAINABLE DEEP SPACE EXPLORATION AND PLANETARY PROTECTION (2022-2023)

Last modified: 31 Jul 2023 11:19


Course Overview

This course provides practical training on some of the most challenging issues of space exploration. In this course, the student will overview the present and future challenges of space exploration, including in-situ resource utilization (ISRU), sample return missions and planetary protection (PP).

Course Details

Study Type Postgraduate Level 5
Term Second Term Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Prof Maria-Paz Zorzano

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Any Postgraduate Programme
  • One of Engineering (EG) or Geology And Petroleum Geology (GL) or Physics (PX) or Master Of Science In Planetary Sciences (September Start)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

In this Course, the students will get familiarized with the space exploration roadmap and the international space treaties. The students will also understand the main challenges of sustaining a habitable environment in space, such as the ISS, considering life support systems and radiation protection. The course will include practical exercises where students can propose an ISRU solution or demonstrate their ability to dress in PP garments, which is a prerequisite to operating in a cleanroom. 

Outline of topics:

  • Overview of the roadmap for deep space exploration. 
  • Historical review of the policies for space exploration. Space treaties. 
  • Challenges in space exploration 1: Life support systems and radiation shielding. 
  • Challenges in space exploration 2: In-Situ-Resource-Utilization 
  • Challenges in space exploration 3: Planetary Protection 
  • Challenges in space exploration 4: sample return missions. 

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

Application of planetary protection policies.

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 40
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Assessment component B

Choose two out of three:

  • 20% Two-page exercise: download standards for PP and make a plan to apply DHMR to reduce the bioburden of a surface of xxx material with xxx spores/m2.
  • 20% Prepare and present a ppt about sterilization and microbial filtering practices in our daily life, at home or in the work environment (using bleach Cl-, high-temperature or sanitizing alcohol, HEPA filters)
  • 20% Submit a video performing the gowning procedure for ISO 7/8 cleanroom

Assessment takes place 6th week of second sub-session

Feeback -7th week of second sub-session
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ProceduralCreateEnhance visual presentation skills.
ProceduralUnderstandUnderstanding the sterilization and control procedures to mitigate bioburden contamination.
ReflectionEvaluateEnhancement of critical thinking and reasoning skills.

Review of space policies and application

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 30
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Assessment component A

Four-page essay (20%) and oral Q&A presentation (10%). Choose one space treaty and analyse its content and present-day application or open issues.

Or choose one registry of objects and analyse what is observed yearly.

There will be supporting online lectures.

Individual feedback for essay and Q&A presentation will be given online.

Assessment - week 5 of 2nd sub-session

Feedback - week 6 of 2nd sub-session
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualEvaluateAnalyse the state of the art of space treaties and their application.
ProceduralCreateEnhance visual presentation skills.
ReflectionEvaluateEnhancement of critical thinking and reasoning skills.

Life support systems and ISRU

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 30
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Assessment component C

Four-page essay about the state of the art or proposed solutions for one or several of the critical systems for life support systems or an ISRU system.

Assessment takes place 7th week of second sub-session

Feeback -7th week of second sub-session
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualApplyUnderstand the main challenges of sustaining a habitable environment in space.
ConceptualUnderstandUnderstanding the main life-support systems and the challenges of ISRU.
ProceduralCreateEnhance visual presentation skills.
ReflectionEvaluateEnhancement of critical thinking and reasoning skills.

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Resubmission of failed elements of assessment.

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 100
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Original element weightings apply
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualUnderstandUnderstanding the main life-support systems and the challenges of ISRU.
ConceptualEvaluateAnalyse the state of the art of space treaties and their application.
ReflectionEvaluateEnhancement of critical thinking and reasoning skills.
ConceptualApplyUnderstand the main challenges of sustaining a habitable environment in space.
ProceduralUnderstandUnderstanding the sterilization and control procedures to mitigate bioburden contamination.
ProceduralCreateEnhance visual presentation skills.
 

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