Master of Science in Space Studies-Capstone Option

CORE COURSE: MUST BE TAKEN AS ONE OF THE STUDENT’S FIRST TWO COURSES. This course is designed to build the student's ability to organize and conduct research in the space studies discipline, and to enable the student to present findings in a clear, concise, coherent manner. It is devoted to thinking about research logically, creatively, critically, structurally and scientifically. Course material covers qualitative research designs, theory building, role of argumentation in presenting a research report (thesis), as well as describing and analyzing quantitative variables. IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY COMPLETED COLLEGE ALGEBRA BEFORE TAKING THIS COURSE

CORE COURSE: MUST BE TAKEN AS ONE OF THE STUDENT’S FIRST TWO COURSES. This course evaluates space programs and operations and their meaning for future international and national economic and national security. The course will provide an overview of major policy, program, scientific, and technical issues in space for the non-scientist.

CORE COURSE: What is an orbit? How does a spacecraft fly to the Moon or Mars? What does NORAD use to track all of the satellites currently in orbit around Earth? How does a spacecraft move from one orbit to another? These questions and more are answered in this course. From Kepler and Newton to the modern telecommunications, navigation, and remote sensing spacecraft, knowledge of orbital mechanics is essential for the modern Space Manager to be able to plan future space missions and to converse with orbital analysts that perform the day-to-day calculations determining IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY COMPLETED COLLEGE ALGEBRA BEFORE TAKING THIS COURSE. Prereq: SPST500 and SPST501

Pre Reqs: Research Methods in Space Studies(SPST500),Introduction to Space Studies(SPST501)

CORE COURSE: Earth orbiting remote sensing satellites play a key role in the lives of human beings. This course is a study of the major components of contemporary remote sensing satellites, the various methods of remote sensing capability, and the advantages and disadvantages of each method. Course topics also include study of remote sensing orbits, launch vehicles, and technology. IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY COMPLETED COLLEGE ALGEBRA BEFORE TAKING THIS COURSE. Prereq: SPST500 and SPST501

Pre Reqs: Research Methods in Space Studies(SPST500),Introduction to Space Studies(SPST501)

CORE COURSE: This course is a study of the principles, architectures, technologies, management, economies, advantages, and disadvantages of satellite communications. Spacecraft launch vehicles, orbits, communications modulations, radio wave propagation, payload designs/types, and spacecraft bus and antenna types are all addressed. Students will learn to devise/formulate actual satellite communications link budgets and evaluate the impact of each variable used within the equation. IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY COMPLETED COLLEGE ALGEBRA BEFORE TAKING THIS COURSE. Prereq: SPST500 and SPST501

Pre Reqs: Research Methods in Space Studies(SPST500),Introduction to Space Studies(SPST501)

CORE COURSE: A review of the major stresses, tensions, and other physical and mental issues experienced by humans on entering in and living in space. Case studies from manned flights and other research will be provided. Students will study how the mental and physical issues may be addressed for future increased human activity in space. Prereq: SPST500 and SPST501

Pre Reqs: Research Methods in Space Studies(SPST500),Introduction to Space Studies(SPST501)

This course examines space law from its origins at the commencement of space exploration to current day activities, including civilian, commercial and military/governmental issues/rulings. The Outer Space Treaty, Registration Convention, Rescue and Return Agreement, Liability Convention, and the Moon Treaty will be covered in detail, as will several other past, standing and pending legal works. Prereq: SPST500 and SPST501

Pre Reqs: Research Methods in Space Studies(SPST500),Introduction to Space Studies(SPST501)

This course takes an in-depth look at the past and current structure, tasking, goals and objectives of the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Emphasis is placed on the roles of the individual research centers, space centers and laboratories that form the NASA organization. The origins and impact of the ‘space race’ are discussed in detail.

This course assesses the growing role of space in national military strategy, particularly for the U.S., as it progresses into the 21st century. The course begins with an overview of the political history of space exploration, followed by an examination of how space fits into the overall picture of military operations. The course then moves into the more speculative arena, looking at how space is evolving into a separate sphere of military operations, and how future conflicts might well have their first decisive engagements in earth orbital space, if not beyond. Students will be making extensive use of the Internet websites that are dedicated to reporting the latest developments and trends in space warfare. The climax of the course is the space wargame exercise, in which the students will be grouped into various national actors and organizations.

This course is an introduction to aircraft propulsion systems, including their design and development, turbo propulsion combustion technology, engine/airframe performance matching, inlets and inlet/engine integration, exhaust nozzle aerodynamics, engine operability, and aeroelasticity and unsteady aerodynamics IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY COMPLETED COLLEGE ALGEBRA AND CALCULUS I BEFORE TAKING THIS COURSE.

Even though the Chinese introduced rockets about 800 years ago, most of the important rocket development has taken place in the 20th Century. This course introduces rocket theory including specific impulse, thrust chamber design, nozzle design, heat transfer, and propellant composition and places particular emphasis on the development and use of liquid and solid rockets. The course concludes with a discussion of the future of rocketry including hybrid rockets, thrust vector control, and electric rockets. The material in this course is applicable and essential for any military or civilian Space Operator, Manager, or Designer who wants to achieve a better understanding of how rockets are designed and how they operate. IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU HAVE COMPLETED COLLEGE ALGEBRA PRIOR TO TAKING THIS COURSE

This course introduces the student to core concepts of aerodynamics, including fundamentals of inviscid, incompressible flow; compressible flow; shock waves/properties; compressible flow through nozzles, diffusers, and wind tunnels; subsonic compressible flow over airfoils; linear theory; elements of hypersonic flow, and boundary layers. IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY COMPLETED COLLEGE ALGEBRA AND CALCULUS I BEFORE TAKING THIS COURSE.

This course is an introduction to aircraft design. The Design Process, Airfoil and Geometry Selection, Thrust-To-Weight Ratio and Wing Loading, Sizing, Crew Station, Payload, and Passengers, Propulsion and Fuel System, Landing Gear and Subsystems, Aerodynamics, Basic Propulsion, Structures and Loads, Stability, Control, and Handling Qualities, Performance and Flight Mechanics, as well as Cost Analysis, are some of the areas covered in the course. PREREQ: SPST615 AERODYNAMICS. IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY COMPLETED COLLEGE ALGEBRA AND CALCULUS I BEFORE TAKING THIS COURSE.

Pre Reqs: Aerodynamics(SPST615)

This course addresses the implications that national missile defense systems may pose to the global balance of power. Is a missile defense system technically feasible, could such a system be stabilizing, destabilizing? These are all questions that this course will examine. The course will further examine how such a system might be deployed and employed, and how national policy may be affected.

Space exploration and exploitation have become global activities. While the United States and the Soviet Union were battling for supremacy during the Cold War and striving for “firsts” in the Space Race, several nascent space powers were blossoming in the background. Not limited to the U.S. and USSR, the dream of spaceflight sprouted in lands as diverse as France, Germany, China, Japan, India, Israel and Brazil. The European Space Agency, the Chinese Space Program, the Japanese Space Program and the Indian Space Program have become space powerhouses. A study of these various programs is essential to gain a thorough understanding that space exploration is not only a global enterprise, but also an important concern for our own national security.

Since the beginning of the Space Age, U.S. Civil Space Policy has been a cornerstone in determining space organizational structures, mission objectives, and resource distribution. From the launch of Explorer 1 through the Apollo Program Moon landings and continuing on to the Space Shuttle and International Space Station operations, the U.S. Government has been heavily involved in establishing space exploration and exploitation. A study of the various players in the space community, the various government interfaces, and an emphasis on budget development is important to study the roles that policy has played in our nation’s space program.

This course is a comparative study of the major industrialized nations' space organizations. It begins with the US and presents an overview of NASA and non-NASA government agencies supporting space exploration. Comparative views are presented for other countries which then allows the student to select the country of their choice (as approved by the instructor) to compare/contrast its space organization with that of the United States. Students will review the fundamental roles of significant space organization, budgets, and goals and objectives in comparison and contrast between the US and another country.

This course is a study of management issues involved in the vision, planning, design, structure and operations of new and existing facilities and vehicles. The course will include a review of existing vehicles and facilities and those that will be required in the upcoming quarter century.

This course explores the post-mission space experience through the eyes of those who have ventured beyond the Earth’s atmosphere, giving a detailed look at how space exploration has impacted the lives of those that have experienced it first hand. The course will also address how the post-mission experience has impacted space exploration goals and objectives -- both manned and unmanned space missions. When available, guest astronauts will be scheduled to discuss their experiences and answer students’ questions.

An opportunity for Space Studies students to pursue an independent research project or examine a specific area of Space Studies under the mentorship of a single professor. Students must complete 24 credits of study before taking this course. Participation is at the discretion of the faculty member. The course will typically involve six or more telephone calls and produce a major research paper (50+ pages); there will be no examination. Students will submit a proposal prior to the start of the project, and a rough draft of the paper at week 10, both of which will count toward the final grade. Prerequisite: University approval and Upper Level standing. Prior to registering, students should first contact the professor with whom they wish to mentor their independent study, coordinate an agreement on the grading requirements, and then NOTIFY their academic advisor with the name of their professor.

Preparation for the Master of Science in Space Studies Thesis begins on day one of a student's graduate program of study. The theories, research methods, analytical skills, and substantive knowledge obtained through the Space Studies curriculum provide the basis for the thesis project. In this 16 week course, instructors guide students through the thesis process. Students are expected to submit all required components of the research process, including a thesis proposal. The thesis proposal must provide a clear description of a contestable question or problem and a proposed method of answering the question or solving the problem. The thesis requires students to present an original argument using proper academic writing conventions including carefully documented primary and/or secondary sources. Guidance on the format of the thesis and proposal are contained in the APUS End of Program Manual. This course must be taken after all other courses in the program are complete. Capstone courses are NOT included in the university retake policy. All grades for any capstone attempts will appear on transcript and will be calculated in GPA