Introduction to Human Spaceflight
Introduction to human spaceflight from a systems engineering perspective. Historical and current space programs and spacecraft. Motivation, cost, and rationale for human space exploration. Overview of space environment needed to sustain human life and health, including physiological and psychological concerns in space habitat. Astronaut selection and training processes, spacewalking, robotics, mission operations, and future program directions. Systems integration for successful operation of a spacecraft. Highlights from current events and space research, Space Shuttle, Hubble Space Telescope, and International Space Station (ISS). Includes team design project.
Prerequisites & course information
Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor – All students interested must join the waitlist and fill out a questionnaire when registering for the class in order to be considered. The link to the questionnaire is provided in the notes for the class on Vergil.
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027