EE-582 / 2 credits

Teacher: Toussaint Marc JM R

Language: English


Summary

The objective of the course is to present with different viewpoints, the lessons learned which lead to the decisions in the space exploration and their consequences today and for the decades to come. A semester continuous evaluation is done through a conceptual study of a space project (see below).

Content

Keywords

Cold-War, Sputnik, Luna, Vostok, Voskhod, Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Soyuz, Salyut, Space Shuttle, Mir, ISS, Shenzhou, Tiangong, Chang'E, Moon race, Space cooperation, Space barter, Artemis, Launch service provider, Recovery and re-use of space elements, Space tourism, Space resources exploitation.

 

Learning Prerequisites

Recommended courses

Prof. Claude Nicollier's, Prof. Bernard Foing's and Prof. Olivier de Weck classes.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:

  • Assess / Evaluate competing space ideas, concepts and early designs
  • Take into consideration that learning from past space missions conception, design and experiences can greatly help to conceive and realize new space projects.
  • Realize the importance of being aware of and follow the geopolitical space environment and evolution in which they will make their professional space carrier.

Transversal skills

  • Plan and carry out activities in a way which makes optimal use of available time and other resources.
  • Use a work methodology appropriate to the task.
  • Keep appropriate documentation for group meetings.
  • Negotiate effectively within the group.
  • Demonstrate a capacity for creativity.
  • Access and evaluate appropriate sources of information.

Teaching methods

Ex cathedra, in English or French. Lecturing (4 hours) every second week at EPFL during the semester, or through Zoom conferences, if required.

 

Expected student activities

- Quick build-up of Project groups (4 to 6 students max), within 2 weeks after semester start

- Active participation in the project groups

- Participation during the lectures

Assessment methods

Semester continuous evaluation through a project

During the semester, a short Space project has to be performed. It is requested to set-up stand-alone independent groups (4 to 6 students max) to perform a space project conceptual design at system level, with trade-off assessments of three missions ideas issued from the group think-tank process. An easy-to-use System trade-off method, as applied in the frame of preliminary conceptual design phases (pre-Phase A), is introduced and shall be used in the evaluation process. It requires definition of evaluation criteria, their weighting and application to the 3 mission concepts. A project follow-up and guidance is provided during the semester. A draft mid-term report is requested. It will be reviewed with each group individually through Zoom or in-person meetings, when possible. The project final report closes the activity at the end of the semester.

Supervision

Others

In the programs

  • Semester: Spring
  • Exam form: During the semester (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Lessons learned from the space exploration
  • Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Semester: Spring
  • Exam form: During the semester (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Lessons learned from the space exploration
  • Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Semester: Spring
  • Exam form: During the semester (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Lessons learned from the space exploration
  • Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks

Reference week

 MoTuWeThFr
8-9     
9-10     
10-11     
11-12     
12-13     
13-14   MXG110 
14-15    
15-16    
16-17    
17-18     
18-19     
19-20     
20-21     
21-22     

Thursday, 13h - 17h: Lecture MXG110

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