To provide basic knowledge about the space environment and its effects on artificial satellites and space probes.
The Solar System: The Sun, planets, moons, asteroids, and comets.
Gravitational fields: Tides and the rotation of planetary bodies.
Planetary magnetic fields: Their use for attitude determination and control; conductive tethers in space for power generation and propulsion.
Atmospheres: Equilibrium temperatures of planetary bodies and spacecraft; the greenhouse effect.
Ionospheres: Basics of plasma physics; propagation of electromagnetic waves in plasmas.
Magnetospheres: Radiation belts.
The solar wind and the interplanetary space environment: Interaction between solar wind and magnetospheres; auroras and geomagnetic storms.
Space radiation: Effects of radiation on satellites and space probes; protection criteria.
Satellite charging: Effects and protection systems. Erosion by atomic oxygen and sputtering; airglow; micrometeoroids.
"Physics of the Solar System", edited by Bertotti, Farinella, Vokrouhlicky. Springer 2003
"The Space Environment: Implications for Spacecraft Design", edited by Tribble. Princeton Univ. Press, 2003
Additional material can be found in the class notes.