Select a past or current (on-orbit) ESA satellite program. Discuss the details, including the mission, the orbit, the successes, the failures (if any), and the results. Please do not repeat a program that has already been discussed (first come, first serve, incentive to post early).
So far Galileo and Solar Orbiter have been selected. This is a discussion post so formality and strict adherence to APA does not matter.
QUESTION
Space exploration and exploitation have become global activities. While the United States and
the Soviet Union were battling for supremacy during the Cold War and striving for “firsts” in the
Space Race, several nascent space powers were blossoming in the background. Not limited
to the U.S. and USSR, the dream of spaceflight sprouted in lands as diverse as France,
Germany, China, Japan, India, Israel and Brazil. The European Space Agency, the Chinese
Space Program, the Japanese Space Program and the Indian Space Program have become
space powerhouses. A study of these various programs is essential to gain a thorough
understanding that space exploration is not only a global enterprise, but also an important
concern for our own national security.
Upon completion of this course the student will be able to accomplish the following:
CO-1: Analyze the formation and the early years of the European Space Agency
CO-2: Examine the successes and failures of ESA satellite programs
CO-3: Analyze the future potential of the ESA
CO-4: Differentiate the aims and goals of the Russian space program
CO-5: Deconstruct the Chinese space strategy
CO-6: Distinguish the similarities and differences between selected emerging space
powers
CO-7: Analyze potential implications of both current and emerging space powers’ space
activities to U.S. national security
CO-8: Attribute the future goals and plans of a selected space agency
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Outline
Week 1: History of Rocketry and ESA Formation
Learning Objectives
CO-1: Analyze the formation and the early years of the European Space Agency
Readings
Readings:
The European Space Programme, Chapters 1 -6
Assignment
Discussions #1 and 1A
Begin thinking about a space agency (other than NASA) on which you will base your satellite
program and space agency papers.
Week 2: ESA’s Satellite and Manned Missions
Learning Objectives
CO-2: Examine the successes and failures of ESA satellite programs
Readings
Readings:
The European Space Programme, Chapters 7-9
Assignment
Discussion #2
Submit proposed space agency
Week 3: ESA’s Future
CO-3: Analyze the future potential of the ESA
The European Space Programme,
Chapters 10-12
Assignment
Discussion #3
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Week 4: China and Russia
Learning Objectives
CO-4: Differentiate the aims and goals of the Russian space program
CO-5: Deconstruct the Chinese space strategy
Readings: Articles on China – China’s Military Space Strategy and China’s Space Program; link
to
China’s National Space Agency; and two videos on China’s space program. Articles on Russia
– The
Russian Federation’s Approach to Military Space and A Russian Resurgence; link to
Russia’s Space Agency; and two videos on Russia’s space program
Assignment
Discussion #4
Midterm Exam
Week 5: Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency
CO-6: Distinguish the similarities and differences between selected emerging space powers
CO-7: Analyze potential implications of both current and emerging space powers’ space
activities to U.S. national security
CO-8: Attribute the future goals and plans of a selected space agency
Readings
Readings:
Chapters 2 and 3, Emerging Space Powers
Assignment
Discussion #5
Week 6: Indian Space Research Organization
Learning Objectives
CO-6: Distinguish the similarities and differences between selected emerging space powers
CO-7: Analyze potential implications of both current and emerging space powers’ space
activities to U.S. national security
CO-8: Attribute the future goals and plans of a selected space agency
Readings:
Chapters 4 – 6, Emerging Space Powers
Assignment
Submit Satellite Program Paper
Week 7: Brazil and Iran
CO-6: Distinguish the similarities and differences between selected emerging space powers
CO-7: Analyze potential implications of both current and emerging space powers’ space
activities to U.S. national security
CO-8: Attribute the future goals and plans of a selected space agency
Chapters 7 – 10, Emerging Space Powers
Assignment
Discussion #7
Research Paper Due
Week 8: North and South Korea
CO-6: Distinguish the similarities and differences between selected emerging space powers
CO-7: Analyze potential implications of both current and emerging space powers’ space
activities to U.S. national security
CO-8: Attribute the future goals and plans of a selected space agency
