Introduction to Space Sciences
- Code de l'UE SMATB243
- Crédits ECTS 3
- Langue
Broaden your horizons with a global view of space as a broad human activity. Meet experts in the field and learn about professional and societal perspectives.
The aim is to introduce participants to the space sector and its various facets, ranging from engineering and scientific aspects to its technological and societal impacts.
Space may seem like a dreamy destination… but you will not get there on a scooter. To explore the unknown and prepare for humanity’s future on Earth and in the harsh conditions of space, bravery alone isn’t enough. You also need talent, skills, and passion in various fields. Space activities and technologies are part of our everyday lives, and it’s not just about rockets and satellites. It also involves law, business, politics, security, the environment, robotics, medicine, and fundamental science, to name just a few.
We invite students to explore various aspects of the space sector, from engineering and science to the humanities, during a Spring School at the Euro Space Center and ESA-ESEC (European Space Security and Education Centre) in Belgium. The school is open to a broad audience, welcoming both STEM and non-STEM students, allowing them to discover the many facets of the space sector. The Spring School will be conducted in English. For external students who are not enrolled in the astronomy course (SMAT B213), preliminary online events will be offered to provide context and basic scientific knowledge about space. The school itself will include plenary sessions on a variety of topics (space law, medicine, rocketry, satellite operations, cybersecurity, etc.), team-building activities inspired by astronaut training at the Euro Space Center (the only space-themed park in Europe), visits to the ESA Academy facilities and ESEC-Redu station, a cosmicathon (a team-based challenge focused on space mission design), planetarium and stargazing sessions.[1], and more.
[1] We usually bring Dobsonian telescopes and binoculars from UNamur to Redu.
The Spring School will be preceded by an online meeting event, covering general introductory topics related to space sector activities and including a remote demonstration of our astronomical pedagogical facility in Namur. Evaluation will consist of preparing short articles and/or videos, individually or in teams, aimed at effectively presenting a conference topic to a non-specialized audience. A quiz on general space knowledge will also be offered to help students assess their understanding of the subject.
Formation | Programme d’études | Bloc | Crédits | Obligatoire |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bachelier en sciences physiques | Standard | 0 | 3 | |
Bachelier en sciences mathématiques | Standard | 0 | 3 | |
Bachelier en sciences physiques | Standard | 2 | 3 | |
Bachelier en sciences mathématiques | Standard | 2 | 3 |