Physics

PHYS3481	Space Environment	3 ch (3C)
Role within programme and connections to other courses. An introduction to the space environment and its impact on space system design, performance, and lifespan. Content. The neutral atmosphere, ionized atmosphere, gravity field, magnetic field, foreign objects, radiations, and orbital perturbation caused by these factors. Examples of topics are the atmospheric drag in the lower Earth orbit, inconsistencies in the Earth’s gravitational field, the effect of radiation on a spacecraft and space mission, the effect of radiation on electronics, and the way the magnetic field of the Earth interacts with space radiation. Prerequisites: PHYS 2311, PHYS 2342, PHYS 2351, ECE 2722. Co-requisites: MATH 3503, PHYS 3321, PHYS 3431.