Developing a curriculum in space science and technology for undergraduate students at the two-year level

Two top priorities identified by the 2013 National Research Council’s Solar Physics Decadal Survey Committee are to: 1) understand the fundamental magnetosphere-ionosphere-thermosphere (MIT) processes that give rise to local, regional and global-scale structure and dynamics in the Earth’s upper atmosphere and; (2) strategic use of small CubeSats for exploration, and the proactive development of small-satellite capabilities and miniaturized sensors. CubeSats have started playing an increasingly larger role in scientific research and exploration, as demonstrated by NASA’s recent successful Insight Mission. An ongoing challenge in undergraduate engineering and science education is providing students with hands-on experience in the development of space technology. Towards this goal, we plan to enhance an existing STEM curriculum by providing a framework for a sequence of courses in space science and technology design. The courses will address the following: From a science perspective, using a systems science approach, students will investigate space weather effects on the ionosphere, including understanding causes of perturbations in the density of the plasma that can interfere with radio signals used by Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) constellations, such as GPS. From an engineering perspective, students’ laboratory experience will simulate interacting with a spacecraft Flatsat for preliminary assembly, integration, & testing (AI&T). Courses will use inexpensive off-the-shelf electronics and will be guided by an Engineering Design Model, one used by NASA engineers when solving problems. The curriculum will be discussed, as well as the challenges working with a program that will require a substantial commitment of expertise, laboratory resources, time and funding.