MG 484 Space Exploration Strategies

This course will address an overview and the details of how the space exploration industry has changed over the last few decades. Beginning at the end of the Apollo moon program, attention shifted to the extreme high costs of space launches and particularly the costs per pound of payload (e.g. $$/lb to low Earth orbit). NASA sold the Space Transportation System, STS as a major step forward to lowering costs. However, the Shuttle was never able to achieve the required and/or projected launch rates (equal to or greater than 1 mission per month) lowering costs was the non-reuse of space launch hardware. Of late, these "dreams" are being realized by space entrepreneurs such as Elon Musk with the reusable Falcon 9 rocket. Even greater savings are around the corner with the SpaceX "Starship". This course will address all of the important "game changing" strategies, the people, and the newest space launch hardware and methodologies.

Credits

3