51³Ô¹ÏÍø

On completion of this summer school, students will be able to understand:

• Apply Advanced Knowledge and Skills: Demonstrate industry-relevant knowledge and apply it to real-world space challenges.
• Drive Innovation and Problem-Solving: Approach complex problems with an innovative mindset and propose creative solutions.
• Foster Collaboration and Teamwork: Work effectively in multidisciplinary teams and leverage diverse perspectives.
• Communicate Effectively: Articulate complex ideas and engage stakeholders through strong written and verbal communication.
• Demonstrate Leadership: Take on leadership roles, driving impactful initiatives and inspiring others in the space sector.
• Engage in Ethical Practice: Apply ethical decision-making and sustainable practices, considering regulatory and legal frameworks in space exploration.
• Develop Entrepreneurial Skills: Identify opportunities and create innovative ventures in the space industry.
• Master Design and Project Management: Utilise design thinking and project management techniques to plan and execute successful projects.

In addition, students will have an opportunity to make new friends, get to know student ambassadors from 51³Ô¹ÏÍø through social activities and discuss opportunities for future study and experience what it is like to study in a world class university.

The Integrated Space Science and Engineering (ISSE) is a new educational offer at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø. It presents a unique opportunity to address space and its related issues. ISSE espouses a multi-stakeholder provision concept. It is provided under the auspices of the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Space Lab in collaboration with Astra-Terra Limited, Hemraj Consulting and the Institute for Space Policy and Law (ISPL) and is hosted by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø.

The ISSE supports multidisciplinary collaborations between the College’s academic experts in various disciplines, including healthcare, financial services, climate science, and city infrastructure, to create solutions for complex problems. Alongside its research initiatives, the initiative fosters the next generation of space scientists and engineers by developing a range of postgraduate and executive courses.

The ISSE includes three academic labs, has attracted over £120,000 in funding for space science and engineering research, technology, and infrastructure, and has published over 50 papers.

Thanks to its extensive research collaborations both within the College and with a variety of external academic and industrial partners, the ISSE is establishing itself as an international hub for space science and engineering.

60 contact hours spread over 2 weeks covering lectures, workshops, tutorials, project work, social activities and relevant visit.  Classes will be delivered on weekdays.

Students will be allocated in small groups for Project work which will be done through team-based learning with supervision. Final project will be presented in groups to a panel of experts on the last day of the programme. A prize will be awarded to the team with the best project.

The entire programme will be taught in English.

You will engage in team-based learning by collaborating on a group project addressing real-world challenges in the context of space.

Space has become a critical area of global focus, offering immense opportunities for innovation that can enhance life on Earth. The rapid growth in satellite launches, driven by organizations like NASA, ESA, and private companies, is transforming sectors such as food production, water management, mobility, communications, health, energy, and national security. Recognizing its importance, the United Kingdom has declared space a critical national infrastructure, emphasizing its role alongside science, innovation, and technology (SIT), as well as policy, regulation, sustainability, and security.

Space is a shared domain, with over 90 countries actively involved in its development. This global engagement brings benefits but also significant risks, highlighting the urgent need for international collaboration to ensure safe and secure use of space.

Under the guidance of 51³Ô¹ÏÍø academics, students will work in small groups on weekly mini-projects and present their findings to a panel of experts at the end of each week.

Topics covered week 1: 

Fundamentals

• Introduction to Space, Its Context, and Downstream Application
• Planetary Science Geology and Astrobiology
• Mission Planning and Human Factors
• Satellite Technology and Orbital Materials
• Rocket and Spacecraft Technology
• Space and Health
• Space Materials and Mining
• Earth Observation, Comms/Navigation/Surveillance, AI and Big Data

Operation

• Space History, Policy, and Law
• Space Safety, Security, Resilience and Sustainability
• Space Operations and Logistics
• Commercial Space, Economics and Market

In the 2nd week, you will build on your knowledge in week 1 and apply then into a:

Design Project

Integrated Space Science Engineering Project, including role of systems engineering, requirements, automation, design concepts & project management. Design project on aspects of space (such as the design of a settlement in space for an identified mission). The Design Project will give participants a chance to apply what they have learnt in a more hands-on real-life context.

At the end of the week, you will present your group project to the climate panel.

As part of this programme, you will

• Work with team members to put the knowledge gained from the Fundamentals and Operations in Week 1.
• Meet experts from across 51³Ô¹ÏÍø whose research focuses on each of the areas.
• Work with your peers to be creative, think critically, collaborate, and communicate your solutions to a wider audience.
• Reflect on how you can implement what you learn into practice in real life context.