Ambiente Espacial

Objectives

The student should learn about the characteristics of the environment in which satellites or spacecrafts work, either in the vicinity of Earth or in the solar system; and be able to identify the main challanges posed by the space environment and suggest possible solutions.

Syllabus

Solar system. Introduction to the Physics of Plasmas: particle orbit theory, MHD. Earth's upper atmosphere and ionosphere. The Sun and its atmosphere. Solar Wind. Interaction between the solar wind and the magnetosphere. Terrestrial and planetary magnetospheres. Near Earth Objects; asteroids and meteorites. Space debris: Kessler syndrome, active and passive debris removal. Thermal balance of spacecrafts. Effects of space radiation.

Prerequisites

Thermodynamics I; Electromagnetism and Optics; Orbital Mechanics

Cross Competence Component

The work to be carried out is related to the following soft skills: Critical and innovative thinking [taken into account in both components of grading], Intepersonal skills (written communication and oral communication, report structuring and presentation) [taken into account in the written project and oral presentation component of grading], Intrapersonal skills, and Literacy of information and media [taken into account in the written project and oral presentation grading component].

Ethical Principles

All members of a group are responsible for the group’s work In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used. In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.