The course “New Space: Access to Space – Basics” offered on Coursera provides an introduction to the emerging “NewSpace” industry and how it is revolutionizing access to space. This course is free to audit.
What is NewSpace?
- Difficult to define precisely, but characterized by innovation, private sector involvement, reducing costs of access to space, promoting access to space for more purposes, and awareness of societal challenges
- New approaches to design, development, production of launch vehicles and rockets
- Innovative technologies like reusable rockets, green propellants
- Sustainable development with concepts like green launch vehicles
Course Content
The course covers the following topics:
- Mission analysis: Understanding satellite missions and orbits
- Launch vehicles: Architecture and design of rockets and launch systems
- Rocket engines: Propulsion systems and engine design
It explores how these areas are being impacted by innovations in the NewSpace industry in areas like:
- Methodologies for faster design and production
- Use of new materials and technologies like additive manufacturing
- Improved performance and reusability of rockets and engines
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, learners will:
- Understand fundamentals of how to access space
- Acquire basics on launch vehicles and propulsion systems
- Grasp innovations in NewSpace launch systems and engines
The course helps relate innovations in NewSpace to classical approaches to provide perspective on the ongoing evolution of space access.
Overall it serves as a valuable introduction for anyone interested in learning about the NewSpace industry’s transformations in providing access to space.