The various components of the solar-terrestrial system, and the interactions between them, are examined to provide a solid understanding of the re-entry and orbital environments within which aerospace vehicles operate. Topics: Sun, solar wind, magnetosphere, ionosphere, thermosphere, radiation belts, energetic particles, comparative environments (Mars, Venus, Jupiter, etc.), orbital debris, spacecraft charging, particle effects on systems, shielding, and satellite drag.

To provide: An understanding of the general properties and characteristics of the geospace environment, and other planetary environments, including underlying physical mechanisms. Exposure to and practical experience with existing computer codes and algorithms which provide numerical estimates of various environmental parameters; and An introduction to environmental hazards in space to man and equipment: particles and radiation, impact phenomena, spacecraft charging, aerodynamic drag, oxygen corrosion of surfaces, etc.

Senior standing in engineering/physical sciences.

Prolss, Physics of the Earth's Space Environment: An Introduction, illustrated ed., Apringer, 2004. ISBN 3540214267 or 9783540214267.

E-mail and web access required.