Lessons learned from the space exploration

EE-582 / 2 crédits

Enseignant: Toussaint Marc JM R

Langue: Anglais

Summary

Objective of the course is to examine, from various perspectives, the lessons learned which lead to the decisions in the space exploration, and the consequences today and for decades to come. Continuous assessment throughout the semester is based on a short conceptual study of a lunar space project.

Content

1. Introduction The first 15 years:

The geopolitical impact of the second World War. The start of the space conquest in the Cold-War context. The origin of early Soviet successes, their working methodology, way of doing and designing, the technological limits. The American political, financial, technological and industrial reactions: the Moon race (Apollo). The reasons for the first space disasters, the Soviet failure in the Moon race. The end of the Apollo programme. Early conception and design of human-rated space vehicles and the associated risks.

2. Soviet and American Low Earth Orbit human occupancy:

The origin of the Soviet space stations programmes: Almaz, Salyut and Mir. The initial goals, the operational and human difficulties, achieved results and military hidden aspects. The US space station programmes: MOL, Skylab. The Space Shuttle Transportation System achievements, weakness and failures. End of the Cold-War consequences on Soviet / Russian and American space activities. The start of the International Space Station (ISS) programme and a new worldwide-cooperation between different space partners, despite major geopolitical conflicts.

3. The Chinese Space programmes:

The early Soviet / China cooperation and technology transfer. The Long March launchers families missions and evolutions. Chinese ambitions: the human space programme and space stations activities, and achievements. The present and future Moon and Mars exploration missions. Chinese astronauts lunar missions and Moon base. Start of a new geopolitical space strategy at the dawn of a new Moon race with USA.

4. The Launchers in the World:

Panorama of the launchers in the World with their associated technological choices: Soviet / Russian, American, Japanese, Indian and others. SpaceX achievements with recovery and reuse strategy of Falcon 9 and Starship launcher elements. National and European launchers' projects. The successes of Ariane 1 to 5. The new Ariane 6 launchers. The launchers family with Vega-C, Ariane 62 and 64 at the CSG (European Spaceport). The start and end of Soyuz launches from French Guyana.

5. The automated probes and future human exploration programmes:

Review of the automated probes exploration missions towards Moon, Venus and Mars. The Artemis, Blue Moon and Starship programmes. NASA return to the Moon, human missions and Moon base. Why and when Mars missions? The NASA human Mars exploration programme study. Strategies and potential roles of the main Space agencies. The New Space actors roles and influences.

6. The next 50 years:

What can be expected in the decades to come with respect to Space tourism, Solar Power Stations, Moon resources exploitation, the build-up of space and lunar colonies, and a new vision for exploring, exploiting the solar system resources.

Keywords

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

Learning Prerequisites

Recommended courses

ENG-411 Concurrent Engineering of space missions, EE-584 Spacecraft design and system engineering, EE-585 Space mission design and operations, ENG-510 Space Propulsion

Learning Outcomes

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

  • Conduct a trade-off assessment of a space project conceptual design
  • Assess / Evaluate competing space ideas, concepts and early designs, funding ideas
  • Identify the different roles that are involved in well-functioning teams and assume different roles, including leadership
  • 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 Spring semester, or through Zoom lectures, if required. Review of the Mid-Term report of the Project through Zoom meetings, or in-person meetings when possible.

Expected student activities

  • Quick build-up of Project groups (4 to 6-7 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 6-7 students max) to undertake a conceptual design of a lunar lander and rover mission, drawing inspiration from the Google X-Prize competition. Funding ideas have also to be proposed and evaluated. A best option must be selected through a trade-off analysis and evaluation of three lunar scenarios developed in 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 work), is introduced and shall be used in the evaluation process. It requires definition of evaluation criteria, their weighting and application to the 3 mission proposals. 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

Office hours No
Assistant.e.s No
Forum No
Others Available for each group to answer questions on the project conduct, the mornings of the lecturing day, or through Zoom videoconferences.

Resources

Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI)

No

Notes/Handbook

Lectures' syllabus delivered prior to each course in PDF format.

Websites

Videos

Dans les plans d'études

  • Semestre: Printemps
  • Forme de l'examen: Pendant le semestre (session d'été)
  • Matière examinée: Lessons learned from the space exploration
  • Cours: 2 Heure(s) hebdo x 14 semaines
  • Type: optionnel
  • Semestre: Printemps
  • Forme de l'examen: Pendant le semestre (session d'été)
  • Matière examinée: Lessons learned from the space exploration
  • Cours: 2 Heure(s) hebdo x 14 semaines
  • Type: optionnel
  • Semestre: Printemps
  • Forme de l'examen: Pendant le semestre (session d'été)
  • Matière examinée: Lessons learned from the space exploration
  • Cours: 2 Heure(s) hebdo x 14 semaines
  • Type: optionnel

Semaine de référence

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