EDX: Course Outline — Space Mission Design and Operations

Unit 0: Introduction ✔

• 0.1 Welcome ✔
  
  

• 0.2 How to Navigate through the Course ✔
  
  

• 0.3 Course Objectives ✔
  
  

• 0.4 Brief History of Human Space Exploration ✔
  
  

• 0.5 Introduction to Main Space Missions ✔
  
  

• 0.6 Survey ✔
  
  

• 0.7 Focus On ✔
  
  

• 0.8 Weekly Discussion — Unit 0 ✔
  
  

Unit 1: Fundamentals of Mechanics & the Space Environment ✔

• 1.1 Synopsis ✔
  
  

• 1.2 Review of the Laws of Mechanics ✔
  
  

• 1.3 Introduction to the Near-Space Environment ✔
  
  

• 1.4 Magnetic Field and the Sun ✔
  
  

• 1.5 Radiation Environment ✔
  
  

• 1.6 Orbital Lifetimes, Space Debris & Collision Threats ✔
  
  

• 1.7 Summary & Test ✔
  
  

• 1.8 Focus On ✔
  
  

• 1.9 Weekly Discussion — Unit 1 ✔
  
  

Unit 2: Orbital Mechanics ✔

• 2.1 Synopsis ✔
  
  

• 2.2 Gravitational Well & Dynamics of Spaceflight ✔
  
  

• 2.3 Orbital Motion & Kepler’s Laws ✔
  
  

• 2.4 Circular & Elliptical Orbits ✔
  
  

• 2.5 Reference Frames ✔
  
  

• 2.6 Summary & Test ✔
  
  

• 2.7 Focus On ✔
  
  

• 2.8 Weekly Discussion — Unit 2 ✔
  
  

Unit 3: Orbital Maneuvers, Special Orbits & Rendezvous ✔

• 3.1 Synopsis ✔
  
  

• 3.2 Orbital Maneuvers ✔
  
  

• 3.3 Special Orbits ✔
  
  

• 3.4 Rendezvous ✔
  
  

• 3.5 The Case of ATV ✔
  
  

• 3.6 Summary & Test ✔
  
  

• 3.7 Focus On ✔
  
  

• 3.8 Weekly Discussion — Unit 3 ✔
  
  

Unit 4: Interplanetary Trajectories & Propulsion ✔

• 4.1 Synopsis ✔
  
  

• 4.2 Interplanetary Trajectories ✔
  
  

• 4.3 Aerobraking & Gravity Assist Maneuvers ✔
  
  

• 4.4 Propulsion ✔
  
  

• 4.5 Launch & Re-entry ✔
  
  

• 4.6 Summary & Test ✔
  
  

• 4.7 Focus On ✔
  
  

• 4.8 Weekly Discussion — Unit 4 ✔
  
  

Unit 5: Spacecraft Systems ✔

• 5.1 Synopsis ✔
  
  

• 5.2 Attitude Control ✔
  
  

• 5.3 Electrical Power Generation (Classical & Alternative) ✔
  
  

• 5.4 Reliability of Space Systems ✔
  
  

• 5.5 Summary & Test ✔
  
  

• 5.6 Focus On ✔
  
  

• 5.7 Weekly Discussion — Unit 5 ✔
  
  

Unit 6: Human Spaceflight — Vehicles & Operations ✔

• 6.1 Synopsis ✔
  
  

• 6.2 Space Shuttle ✔
  
  

• 6.3 Shuttle Selected Missions ✔
  
  

• 6.4 ISS Access & Logistics Operations ✔
  
  

• 6.5 Summary & Test ✔
  
  

• 6.6 Focus On ✔
  
  

• 6.7 Weekly Discussion — Unit 6 ✔
  
  

Unit 7: Human Spaceflight — Astronauts, EVA & Robotics ✔

• 7.1 Synopsis ✔
  
  

• 7.2 Extravehicular Activities ✔
  
  

• 7.3 Space Robotics ✔
  
  

• 7.4 Astronaut Selection & Training ✔
  
  

• 7.5 Return to the Moon & Journey to Mars ✔
  
  

• 7.6 Commercial Suborbital Flights ✔
  
  

• 7.7 Summary ✔
  
  

• 7.8 MOOC Conclusion ✔
  
  

• 7.9 Focus On ✔
  
  

• 7.10 Weekly Discussion — Unit 7 ✔
  
  

Final Evaluation ✔

• Certificate Track (3 Questions) ✔
  
  

• Audit Track ✔
  
  

• Final Survey ✔