Analyze the formation and the early years of the European Space Agency. Examine the successes and failures of ESA satellite programs. Analyze the future potential of the ESA. Differentiate the aims and goals of the Russian space program. Deconstruct the Chinese space strategy. Distinguish the similarities and differences between selected emerging space powers. Analyze potential implications of both current and emerging space powers’ space activities to U.S. national security.

Current and Emerging Space

Powers Length of Course : 8 Faculty :
Prerequisites : N/A Credit Hours : 3
Description

Course Description:
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.

Course Scope:
Objectives
Upon completion of this course the student will be able to accomplish the following:
CO–1: Analyze the formation and the early years of the European Space Agency.
CO–2: Examine the successes and failures of ESA satellite programs.
CO–3: Analyze the future potential of the ESA.
CO–4: Differentiate the aims and goals of the Russian space program.
CO–5: Deconstruct the Chinese space strategy.
CO–6: Distinguish the similarities and differences between selected emerging space powers.
CO–7: Analyze potential implications of both current and emerging space powers’ space activities to U.S. national security.
CO–8: Attribute the future goals and plans of a selected space agency.

Week 1: History of Rocketry and ESA Formation

Learning Objectives
CO–1: Analyze the formation and the early years of the European Space Agency Readings Readings:
The European Space Programme, Chapters 1 –6
Assignment
Discussions #1 and 1A
Begin thinking about a space agency (other than NASA) on which you will base your satellite program and space agency papers.

Week 2: ESA’s Satellite and Manned Missions

Learning Objectives
CO–2: Examine the successes and failures of ESA satellite programs Readings
Readings:
The European Space Programme, Chapters 7–9
Assignment
Discussion #2
Submit proposed space agency

Week 3: ESA’s Future

Learning Objectives
CO–3: Analyze the future potential of the ESA Readings
Readings:
The European Space Programme,
Chapters 10–12
Assignment
Discussion #3

Week 4: China and Russia

Learning Objectives
CO–4: Differentiate the aims and goals of the Russian space program
CO–5: Deconstruct the Chinese space strategy Readings
Readings: Articles on China – China’s Military Space Strategy and China’s Space Program; link to China’s National Space Agency; and two videos on China’s space program. Articles on Russia
– The Russian Federation’s Approach to Military Space and A Russian Resurgence; link to Russia’s Space Agency; and two videos on Russia’s space program Assignment
Discussion #4
Midterm Exam

Week 5: Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency

Learning Objectives
CO–6: Distinguish the similarities and differences between selected emerging space powers
CO–7: Analyze potential implications of both current and emerging space powers’ space activities to U.S. national security
CO–8: Attribute the future goals and plans of a selected space agency Readings Readings:
Chapters 2 and 3, Emerging Space Powers
Assignment
Discussion #5

Week 6: Indian Space Research Organization

Learning Objectives
CO–6: Distinguish the similarities and differences between selected emerging space powers
CO–7: Analyze potential implications of both current and emerging space powers’ space activities to U.S. national security
CO–8: Attribute the future goals and plans of a selected space agency Readings

Chapters 4 – 6, Emerging Space Powers
Assignment
Discussion #6.
Submit Satellite Program Paper

Week 7: Brazil and Iran

Learning Objectives

CO–6: Distinguish the similarities and differences between selected emerging space powers
CO–7: Analyze potential implications of both current and emerging space powers’ space activities to U.S. national security
CO–8: Attribute the future goals and plans of a selected space agency Readings
Readings:
Chapters 7 – 10, Emerging Space Powers
Assignment
Discussion #7
Research Paper Due

Week 8: North and South Korea

Learning Objectives
CO–6: Distinguish the similarities and differences between selected emerging space powers
CO–7: Analyze potential implications of both current and emerging space powers’ space
activities to U.S. national security CO–8: Attribute the future goals and plans of a selected space agency Readings
Readings:
Chapters 13 – 14, Emerging Space Powers
Assignment
Discussion #8