Curriculum of Space Challenges

Space Challenges 2015 consists of TEN thematic weeks, which will cover the basics of all Space-related areas including the business side. The weeks are scheduled as follows:

Week(s)	Dates	Theme
1 & 2	21 September - 04 October	Aerospace Engineering
3	05 - 11 October	Robotics and A.I.
4	12 - 18 October	Nanotechnology
5 & 6	19 october - 01 November	Space Science and Exploration
7	02 - 08 November	Space Applications
8	09 - 15 November	Astrobiology and Space Medicine
9	16 - 22 November	Entrepreneurship and Team Projects Finals

Week 1 and 2: Aerospace Engineering

WS1: Building and organizing space team
WS2: Mission Objectives and Team Requirements

Introduction to Aerospace Engineering
What is a spacecraft: System level engineering and architecture
How does it function: Subsystems, integration and testing
Mission Design: Concurrent Mission Design, Concurrent Mission Engineering
Spacecraft technology: State-of-the-art projects – extremely small VS extremely large projects/CubeSat technology, swarm satellites
Rocket science: Rocket engines and Space propulsion systems and the next- generation launch systems
Space stations: Current technology (International Space Station)
Space Systems Architecture

Week 3: Robotics and Artificial Intelligence

WS3: Robotic Engineering and Competition Part 1
WS4: Robotic Engineering and Competition Part 2

Introduction to A.I., Adaptive Algorithms and Machine learning
Introduction to Robotics
Robotic engineering: Subsystems and functionalities
Computer Vision, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality
Human – Robot interaction, Uncanny Valley, Bionics
Robotics for Earth-based applications: Exoskeleton structures

Week 4: Nanotechnology

WS5: Nanotech World Workshop

Intro to Nanotechnology
Material sciences
Engineering and Industrial Design and Biomechanics
Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing)
Nanotechnology: Atomically Precise Manufacturing
Nanotech applications

Week 5 and 6: Space Science and Exploration

WS6: STK Orbits Simulation
WS7: Kerbal Space Program Part 1
WS8: Kerbal Space Program Part 2

Relevant Topics in Modern Astrophysics

Exoplanets
Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI)
Astrobiology
M Dwarf stars – dominant, active, harboring life?
Cosmology
Orbits, Orbital Mechanics

Relevant Topics in Space Physics

Solar and Magnetospheric Physics
Space Weather
Space Radiation

Relevant topics to Space Exploration

Human Spaceflight
Robotic Space Missions: Lunar exploration, Deep space exploration, Mars exploration, Comet and asteroid exploration
Robotics in space exploration and extreme environments: Flyers, Divers, Landers and Orbital Probes
Space stations – future designs and experiments

Week 7: Space Applications

WS9: Specific Software Introduction

Why do we explore space?
Space and Spaceship Earth: The connection
Remote Sensing and Earth Observation
Communication Technologies and applications
Space Weather and Earth-related studies
Space-based Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT)
Data Visualization: Earth-based science
Space and Earth: Space-related business cases
Space Tourism

Week 8: Astrobiology, biotechnology and space medicine

WS10: Overall Mission Rehearsal

Space Biomedicine
Molecular and Synthetic Biology
Biotechnology
Neuroscience – biological/computer interaction
Human physiology in Space
Closed-loop systems and bioreactors
Intro to Astrobiology

Week 9 and 10: Entrepreneurship and Team Projects Finals

WS11: Entrepreneurship and Team Projects Presentation

Entrepreneurship in the high-tech sector
Next-Generation high-tech projects
New Space Initiative
Economy vs Technology
Team Projects Finalization
Final Exam

Team Projects

TWS 1-10+: Team Workshops
Goal: Engineering / Development of operational prototype for the Final Mission

FINAL MISSION: 22 – 30 November 2015

Team Project: Nano Space Station

The project goal is to perform research and to design, develop and build a scaled version of a habitable space station module capable to operate autonomously at least 10 hours in near-space environment and at least 72 hours autonomously. The target size should be within dimensions of 227 x 100 x 100 mm. The system should be entirely closed loop and suitable for stratospheric flight (isolated, with controllable internal sensors, environmental control, shielded etc.).

Participants Requirements

Willingness to work in a completely improvised environment during the team workshops
Interest in closed loop systems and robotics is a must
Background in electronics, programming, biology, astrobiology, medicine, mechanics of fluids or structural design is an advantage

Team Project: Geologic Exploration Vehicle

The project goal is to develop a fully autonomous robotic rover which is capable of safely navigating to a predefined destination and performing a drilling experiment at the designated spot. Participants will learn how to build an entire robotic system starting from the low level electronics to the abstract AI algorithms running on the rover.

Participant Requirements:

Strong motivation and determination to put the necessary hours of work into the project
Programming is essential part of the project
Experience with electronics is an asset

Team Project: Autonomous Lander

The project goal is to develop a fully autonomous lander vehicle which is capable of safely flying over a predefined location and performing a soft landing at the designated spot. Participants will learn how to build an entire landing system. The lander will be deployed from a big UAV system at an altitude of 100 m and it will have the task to send video and photos from the descend and landing.

Participant Requirements:

Strong motivation and determination to put the necessary hours of work into the project
Programming is essential part of the project
Experience with electronics is an asset

Download the curriculum in PDF