Course Details in 2026/27 Session

Module Title	LM Space Environment
School	Metallurgy and Materials
Department	Metallurgy & Materials
Module Code	04 33300
Module Lead	Sean Elvidge
Level	Masters Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 1
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Lecture-20 hours Tutorial-8 hours Practical Classes and workshops-10 hours Guided independent study-162 hours Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description	At the end of this module the student should understand the key physical parameters of the near-earth space environment and how these affect spacecraft design and operation. Topics will include: properties of the near-Earth space environment and interplanetary medium (i.e. solar wind, geomagnetic field, magnetosphere, ionosphere, thermosphere); basic plasma plasma physics relevant to radio propagation; basic solar-terrestrial physics relevant to spacecraft charging and drag. Content Introduction: Overview of module, intro to space environment. Thermosphere: composition, variability, modelling and forecasting, satellite drag, debris, corrosion Ionosphere: generation, geography, variability, modelling and forecasting, impact on RF systems Radiation environment: Solar wind, radiation belts, energetic particles, impact on electronics, total dose, radiation hardening, effects on astronauts Spacecraft charging: effect on materials, mitigation Interplanetary space environment Effect of space environment on materials and structures and their measurement Strategies to mitigate effects of space environment Standards Laboratory exercises on simulating space environment damages Group exercises on design of mission components (structural and functional) to deal with various mission environments and timescales
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: Be able to relate the effects of space environment to aspects of spacecraft design Apply space environment standards to mission element designs Choose appropriate methods for simulating space environment effects These link to the below AHEP v4 learning outcomes: Apply knowledge of mathematics, statistics, natural science and engineering principles to the solution of complex problems. Some of the knowledge will be at the forefront of the particular subject of study (C1) Apply knowledge of mathematics, statistics, natural science and engineering principles to the solution of complex problems. Some of the knowledge will be at the forefront of the particular subject of study (C5) Evaluate the environmental and societal impact of solutions to complex problems and minimise adverse impacts (C7) Use a risk management process to identify, evaluate and mitigate risks (the effects of uncertainty) associated with a particular project or activity (C9/M9) Use practical laboratory and workshop skills to investigate complex problems (C12/M12) Select and apply appropriate materials, equipment, engineering technologies and processes, recognising their limitations (C13/M13) Apply a comprehensive knowledge of mathematics, statistics, natural science and engineering principles to the solution of complex problems. Much of the knowledge will be at the forefront of the particular subject of study and informed by a critical awareness of new developments and the wider context of engineering (M1)
Assessment	33300-01 : Exam : Exam (Centrally Timetabled) - Written Unseen (40%) 33300-09 : Project : Coursework (50%) 33300-10 : Tutorial sheets : Coursework (10%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessment: 2 hour written examination (60%), Continuous assessment resulting in reports with individual components up to 1500 words (40%). Reassessment: No reassessment for level M modules.
Other
Reading List