Master of Science in Space Studies-Capstone Option

CORE COURSE: MUST BE TAKEN AS ONE OF THE STUDENT’S FIRST TWO COURSES. This course is designed to build the student's ability to organize and conduct research in the space studies discipline, and to enable the student to present findings in a clear, concise, coherent manner. It is devoted to thinking about research logically, creatively, critically, structurally and scientifically. Course material covers qualitative research designs, theory building, role of argumentation in presenting a research report (thesis), as well as describing and analyzing quantitative variables. IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY COMPLETED COLLEGE ALGEBRA BEFORE TAKING THIS COURSE

CORE COURSE: MUST BE TAKEN AS ONE OF THE STUDENT’S FIRST TWO COURSES. This course evaluates space programs and operations and their meaning for future international and national economic and national security. The course will provide an overview of major policy, program, scientific, and technical issues in space for the non-scientist.

CORE COURSE: What is an orbit? How does a spacecraft fly to the Moon or Mars? What does NORAD use to track all of the satellites currently in orbit around Earth? How does a spacecraft move from one orbit to another? These questions and more are answered in this course. From Kepler and Newton to the modern telecommunications, navigation, and remote sensing spacecraft, knowledge of orbital mechanics is essential for the modern Space Manager to be able to plan future space missions and to converse with orbital analysts that perform the day-to-day calculations determining IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY COMPLETED COLLEGE ALGEBRA BEFORE TAKING THIS COURSE. Prereq: SPST500 and SPST501

Pre Reqs: Research Methods in Space Studies(SPST500),Introduction to Space Studies(SPST501)

CORE COURSE: Earth orbiting remote sensing satellites play a key role in the lives of human beings. This course is a study of the major components of contemporary remote sensing satellites, the various methods of remote sensing capability, and the advantages and disadvantages of each method. Course topics also include study of remote sensing orbits, launch vehicles, and technology. IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY COMPLETED COLLEGE ALGEBRA BEFORE TAKING THIS COURSE. Prereq: SPST500 and SPST501

Pre Reqs: Research Methods in Space Studies(SPST500),Introduction to Space Studies(SPST501)

CORE COURSE: This course is a study of the principles, architectures, technologies, management, economies, advantages, and disadvantages of satellite communications. Spacecraft launch vehicles, orbits, communications modulations, radio wave propagation, payload designs/types, and spacecraft bus and antenna types are all addressed. Students will learn to devise/formulate actual satellite communications link budgets and evaluate the impact of each variable used within the equation. IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY COMPLETED COLLEGE ALGEBRA BEFORE TAKING THIS COURSE. Prereq: SPST500 and SPST501

Pre Reqs: Research Methods in Space Studies(SPST500),Introduction to Space Studies(SPST501)

CORE COURSE: A review of the major stresses, tensions, and other physical and mental issues experienced by humans on entering in and living in space. Case studies from manned flights and other research will be provided. Students will study how the mental and physical issues may be addressed for future increased human activity in space. Prereq: SPST500 and SPST501

Pre Reqs: Research Methods in Space Studies(SPST500),Introduction to Space Studies(SPST501)

This course examines space law from its origins at the commencement of space exploration to current day activities, including civilian, commercial and military/governmental issues/rulings. The Outer Space Treaty, Registration Convention, Rescue and Return Agreement, Liability Convention, and the Moon Treaty will be covered in detail, as will several other past, standing and pending legal works. Prereq: SPST500 and SPST501

Pre Reqs: Research Methods in Space Studies(SPST500),Introduction to Space Studies(SPST501)

This course is an introduction to aircraft propulsion systems, including their design and development, turbo propulsion combustion technology, engine/airframe performance matching, inlets and inlet/engine integration, exhaust nozzle aerodynamics, engine operability, and aeroelasticity and unsteady aerodynamics IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY COMPLETED COLLEGE ALGEBRA AND CALCULUS I BEFORE TAKING THIS COURSE.

Even though the Chinese introduced rockets about 800 years ago, most of the important rocket development has taken place in the 20th Century. This course introduces rocket theory including specific impulse, thrust chamber design, nozzle design, heat transfer, and propellant composition and places particular emphasis on the development and use of liquid and solid rockets. The course concludes with a discussion of the future of rocketry including hybrid rockets, thrust vector control, and electric rockets. The material in this course is applicable and essential for any military or civilian Space Operator, Manager, or Designer who wants to achieve a better understanding of how rockets are designed and how they operate. IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU HAVE COMPLETED COLLEGE ALGEBRA PRIOR TO TAKING THIS COURSE

This course introduces the student to core concepts of aerodynamics, including fundamentals of inviscid, incompressible flow; compressible flow; shock waves/properties; compressible flow through nozzles, diffusers, and wind tunnels; subsonic compressible flow over airfoils; linear theory; elements of hypersonic flow, and boundary layers. IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY COMPLETED COLLEGE ALGEBRA AND CALCULUS I BEFORE TAKING THIS COURSE.

This course is an introduction to aircraft design. The Design Process, Airfoil and Geometry Selection, Thrust-To-Weight Ratio and Wing Loading, Sizing, Crew Station, Payload, and Passengers, Propulsion and Fuel System, Landing Gear and Subsystems, Aerodynamics, Basic Propulsion, Structures and Loads, Stability, Control, and Handling Qualities, Performance and Flight Mechanics, as well as Cost Analysis, are some of the areas covered in the course. PREREQ: SPST615 AERODYNAMICS. IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY COMPLETED COLLEGE ALGEBRA AND CALCULUS I BEFORE TAKING THIS COURSE.

Pre Reqs: Aerodynamics(SPST615)

The Master’s Capstone Seminar in Space Studies is a 16 week session taken after all other course work has been completed. Students starting their degree program after 1 January 2009 must take SPST699 and successfully complete a thesis based upon a list of available subjects. Students starting their degree program prior to 1 January 2009 may choose either SPST698 (Comprehensive Exam) or the SPST699 Master’s Capstone Seminar in order to complete their degree.