Course Description

This course is a jam-packed assortment of space-related sciences taught by a former NASA Space Shuttle Engineer. The variety of topics covered in this course could each be courses in themselves. The approach taken here is to present some very interesting aspects of the subjects in a way that doesn’t over-simplify the topics. Recognizing that homeschool students are exceptionally bright and are capable of understanding the fundamentals of complex subjects and researching additional material, the course material will be presented in a manner that captivates the child’s attention, makes them more aware of the depth of knowledge still to be gained, and then shows them how to learn more by providing a plethora of resources that the child will explore on their own and with the collaboration of fellow students.

 

Prerequisites

All virtual astronauts should report for duty with their imaginations and a love for learning. General familiarity with spacecraft and the related subject areas is a plus, but not required.

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Software

1. Installation of the Orbiter Space Flight Simulator (free download from http://orbit.medphys.ucl.ac.uk) should be accomplished prior to the start of the first class. Please refer to the website for minimum computer hardware requirements. Some graphics cards have difficulty displaying some ship consoles (they look like holes cut out where flight instruments should be but you see the outside instead). Please test to ensure that the software displays them properly or the student will have greater difficulty controlling the ship (not a limiting factor for the class). An older version may be available from the teacher on the first day of class.

2. Access to a spreadsheet application like MS Excel or Open Office Calc (free download at openoffice.org) is recommended for some data analysis.

3. Installation of the Fldigi (Fast and Light Digital modem program) for the purpose of processing ground-based and satellite radio signals. Version 3.21.78 (or greater) is available as a free download from http://www.w1hkj.com/Fldigi.html website.

4. Celestia 3D astronomy software (free download at http://sourceforge.net/projects/celestia/).

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Course Outline

• Class 1: Introduction; course expectations; Class project requirements; Famous Catholics in space; Orbiter Spaceflight Simulator (OSS) Introduction

• Class 2: Spacecraft Systems Overview; Fundamentals of Flight

• Class 3: Launch and Ascent to Orbit via real-life video/images and simulating it in the OSS; How to analyze basic OSS spacecraft data

• Class 4: How spacecraft maneuver in space; Conducting basic maneuvers in the OSS

• Class 5: More maneuvers in space; OSS: Rendezvous with on-orbit object

• Class 6: OSS: On-orbit Docking: Alignment, Orientation, and approach velocities

• Class 7: Tracking satellites and the International Space Station (ISS)

• Class 8: Radio signals: Wavelengths and their properties and uses; How "space weather" affects the Earth and radio signals

• Class 9: Using web-based software defined radio sources and the fldigi software to find and decode ground-based and satellite radio signals

• Class 10: The Celestia 3D astronomy software; The Solar System; How scientists are discovering planets around other stars

• Class 11: Solar and Lunar Eclipses: What are they and how to predict them; Prepare for Full Lunar Eclipse on the morning of April 4th

• Class 12: OSS: De-orbit and landing

• Class 13: Class project presentations

• Class 14: Class project presentations

• Class 15: Class project presentations; Closing remarks
   

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Course Materials

See prerequisite section for a list of required software applications. Extensive handouts, online resources, and software applications are to be utilized. Purchase of a small pad of green engineering paper would be useful when making hand-made plots. This paper type also makes for a “cool” science-looking notepad with its small-grid boxes useful for making impromptu plots/drawings. Book recommendations will be provided but are not required for purchase. Encouraged experimentation may require the purchase of related supplies, but this is optional and at the discretion/interest of the student and parent.

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Homework

Assignments will vary based on subject area. Where applicable, assignments will have a Catholic theme to them. Assignments may include, but are not limited to,

• (1) answering questions related to topics covered during the lectures,

• (2) researching related materials,

• (3) using the spaceflight simulator to accomplish a mission using newly gained knowledge of orbital mechanics (astrodynamics),

• (4) using online software defined radio stations and specially designed software to tune in ground-based and satellite radio signals,

• (5) using 3D space-related software applications to learn more about planetary motion and the occurrences of eclipses,

• (6) tracking the current and predicted location of satellites and the International Space Station.

 

In this course, students have a required class project which promotes more of a deep-dive into a subject/topic of the student’s choosing. The finished project will be shared with fellow students via a short in-class demonstration approximately 5 minutes in duration.

Students will collaborate with fellow students and mentor them when needed so as to reinforce their knowledge by helping others. Students can expect a variable 3 to 6 hours of time per week dedicated to homework and progress towards their class project. Additional time, if available, is encouraged so that the student can experiment with specific personal interests.