Training Master Classes

SmartSat currently has no training opportunities available. Please keep an eye on this page for future Master Classes. For more information, contact [email protected]

Past courses

Master Class: Space law applicable to mission planning (Adelaide, SA)

The first of an intended 3-part series, Azimuth Advisory (Steven Freeland and Donna Lawler) will cover specific issues relating to the legal and regulatory framework relating to designing and building the space and ground segments to support mission planning.  

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This course will provide an overview of the legal and policy issues associated with the domestic and international legal regimes regulating commercial space activities. It will provide an overview of the international Space Treaties and the associated obligations and compliance factors associated with international law. It will examine domestic Australian space law and also provide an overview of relevant commercial law issues such as spectrum licensing, Export Controls and ITAR implications.  In addition, it will also address key issues of insurance and liability cross waivers. Delegates will receive course and certificate of attendance. Morning and afternoon teas and lunch are provided.  

Content to be covered
General introduction to the international legal framework for space, including:

  • Space treaties
    • Space-related instruments, such as Debris Mitigation Guidelines
    • Customary law
  • Interaction between the international legal framework and Australia’s national space laws
  • Overview of Australian national space licensing regime  
  • International allocation of radio-spectrum (licensing of radio-spectrum in Australia by ACMA)
  • Export Control Regulations (Defence Trade Controls/ITAR/EAR)
  • Overview of legal risk management in commercial space contracts, including why all hosted payload contracts should include cross-waivers.
  • Case Study:  planning a space mission  

It is intended that the two future Master Classes will cover: 

  • Space law applicable to launch services 
  • Space Law applicable to in-orbit operations 

Presenters

Donna Lawler, Azimuth Advisory

Donna Lawler (BA, LLB) is a Co-Founder and Principal at Azimuth Advisory, a member of the International Institute of Space Lawyers and a fellow of the London Institute of Space Policy and Law. She is an experienced commercial space lawyer specialising in complex transactions in the space and telecommunications industries. Over twenty years in the satellite industry she has been an advisor to Optus and SingTel on satellite related issues, and more recently, to a range of commercial space organisations, including launch facilities, launch service providers communications satellite operators, and operators of cubesat constellations. 

Emeritus Professor Steven Freeland, Azimuth Advisory

Emeritus Professor Steven Freeland (BCOM, LLB, LLM, PHD) is a Co-Founder and Principal at Azimuth Advisory and is Emeritus Professor of International Law (and former Dean) the School of Law at Western Sydney University, Australia where he specialises in Commercial Aspects of Space Law, International Criminal Law, Public International Law and Human Rights Law, as well as a Professorial Fellow at Bond University.  

Professor Freeland has represented the Australian Government at various United Nations Conferences and Committee Meetings over a period of seven years, and has advised the Australian, New Zealand, Norwegian and several other Governments in Asia and the Middle East on issues related to the national and international regulation of space activities and the development of a national space-industry strategy. He has been appointed by the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS) to co-chair the five-year Working Group on ‘Legal Aspects of Space Resource Activities’, and by the Australian Government as a Member of the Advisory Board of the Australian Space Agency.


Master Class: Radiation Protection for Space (Adelaide, SA)

Radiation is a major hazard in spaceflight, causing progressive performance degradation and/or can lead mission-ending failures. Critical or sensitive electronics must have been already radiation hard assessed or need to be radiation tested before the mission to guarantee the required tolerance against radiation damage for the mission life.

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Radiation is a major hazard in spaceflight, causing progressive performance degradation and/or can lead mission-ending failures. Critical or sensitive electronics must have been already radiation hard assessed or need to be radiation tested before the mission to guarantee the required tolerance against radiation damage for the mission life.

This workshop aims to introduce an understanding of the space radiation environment, space radiation effects on payload mounted devices and a practical overview of the radiation assurance process from design to launch. This course will be carried out over a series of two days:

  • Day 1 will be targeted towards engineers, commercial entrepreneurs and will provide a general overview of the space radiation environment and its effects on spacecrafts.
    • Space Radiation Environments and Models
    • Basics of radiation matter interactions (ions, gamma, neutrons) Part 1
    • Basics of radiation matter interactions – Part 2
    • Shielding with application to space radiation
    • Rad effects in space components & microelectronics and their mechanisms e.g. TID, DD, SEE – A little on analysis (FASTRAD, NOVICE, rate calculation using SPENVIS and OMERE)
    • Testing/Qualification & Facilities (Domestic and international)
  • Day 2 will be case studies focused, using practical examples of the radiation assurance process, and will be targeted more toward engineers who need to make critical mission design and component choices.
    • Radiation Hardness Assurance
    • Preferred parts lists
    • Understanding what the specs are telling you.
    • Standards/Process
    • Introduction to Monte Carlo simulations / radiation transport modelling of space radiation effects (GEANT-4, FASTRAD)
    • Space Weather/ BOM Services

Who Should Attend
Systems engineers, payload principle investigators, subsystem engineers or project managers involved in any phase of the space mission life cycle.

Presenters
The Workshop will include presentation and contributions from the following organisations:

  • Australian Nuclear Science and Technology
  • The Australian National University
  • University of Adelaide
  • Saber Astronautics
  • Defence Science and Technology Group
  • Bureau of Meteorology

Master Class: Applied Space Systems Engineering Course (Adelaide, SA)

Applied Space Systems Engineering examines the practical application of space systems engineering processes throughout the mission lifecycle. The course is aimed at developing the relevant knowledge and skills needed to apply systems engineering tools and techniques within a project environment to produce effective space systems. Using a combination of lecture, interactive discussions and group exercises, the course presents a detailed review of 17 major systems engineering processes within three major categories: Design, Realization and Systems Engineering Management.

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Course Objectives
This course is aimed at giving you the knowledge, tools and experience to enter any phase of the space mission life cycle and apply systems engineering processes to achieve practical results. At the end of this course, you should be able to: 

  • Define key systems engineering terms 
  • Explain fundamental systems engineering principles 
  • Apply systems engineering tools and techniques to solve specific design, manage and realization challenges 
  • Develop relevant systems engineering artifacts for a given scenario that captures and communicates design, systems management and system realization decisions. 

Delegates will receive course and certificate of attendance. Morning and afternoon teas and lunch are provided. 

Who Should Attend 
Systems engineers, payload principle investigators, subsystem engineers or project managers involved in any phase of the space mission life cycle. 

Course Materials 

  • A complete set of course notes with copies of all slides used in the presentations. 
  • A copy of Applied Space Systems Engineering.  

Content Topics to be covered: 

  • Design
    • Bounding Scope 
    • Engineering Requirements 
    • Developing the Solution Architecture 
  • Manage
    • Managing Interfaces, Configuration and 
    • Data 
    • Making Decisions 
    • Managing Risk 
    • Technical Planning 
  • Realise
    • Implementing and Integrating 
    • Verification and Validation 
    • Transition and DevOps 
  • Hands-on Exercises Throughout 
  • Capstone Exercise 
  • FireSAT Case Study (Reference) 

Presenter

Dr Bruce Chesley, Teaching Science and Technology Inc (TSTI)

Dr Bruce Chesley is an experienced space program manager and industry executive. He served as the Chief Strategist for a space system portfolio spanning human spaceflight, commercial satellites, and government space systems and he led the early development of a global broadband satellite constellation. He has also delivered advanced space systems and prototypes while serving in a variety of roles in program management, business development and engineering. His Air Force assignments included Air Force Space Command, the National Reconnaissance Office, and the USAF Academy where he was an Assistant Professor of Astronautics. He was elected to the International Academy of Astronautics in 2020 and serves as a Vice President on the Bureau of the International Astronautical Federation. He has published more than 20 technical papers and book chapters on satellite design and space systems engineering. 

 


Master Class: Designing Space Missions and Systems (Sydney, NSW)

Designing Space Missions and Systems examines the real-world application of the entire space systems engineering discipline. Using a process-oriented approach, the course starts with basic mission objectives and examines the principles and practical methods for mission design and operations in depth. Interactive discussions focus on initial requirements definition, operations concept development, architecture trade-offs, payload design, bus sizing, subsystem definition, system manufacturing, verification and operations. This is a hands-on course with a focus on applications. Design exercises are conducted to give first-hand experience with the techniques presented and gain experience with mission design trade-offs. 

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Course Objectives 
At the end of this course you will have the knowledge, tools and experience to start with a blank sheet of paper and design an effective space mission to meet a broad set of objectives, or critically analyze proposed mission designs with insight into the critical trade-offs between cost, schedule, performance and risk. You’ll walk away with: 

  • An enhanced understanding of the big picture of space missions and systems 
  • A detailed working knowledge of how all the elements of a space mission work and the key trades that lead to a successful mission 
  • Practical experience with applying systems engineering processes to develop conceptual designs for space missions and systems 
  • An organized framework for future space learning —on your own, in academic courses, or other short courses 

Who Should Attend 
System engineers, payload principle investigators, subsystem engineers or project managers who are responsible for the detailed design and operation of space systems. 

Course Materials 
Each participant will receive: 

  • A complete set of course notes with copies of all slides used in the presentations 
  • A copy of Space Mission Analysis & Design- CORE 
  • TSTI Alumni status allowing on-line access to course materials and other resources 

Content Topics to be covered: 

  • Module 1: Conceptual Mission Design
    • Applied Space Systems Engineering 
    • The Space Environment 
    • Designing Space Missions 
  • Module 2: Orbit Design
    • Understanding Orbits 
    • Describing and Using Orbits 
    • Maneuvering in Space 
    • Orbit Design and Selection 
  • Module 3: Spacecraft Design
    • Launch System Services 
    • Ascent & Reentry 
    • Payload Design 
    • Spacecraft Architecture Development 
  • Module 4: Subsystem Design
    • For Each Subsystem Review
      • Scope, Driving Requirements 
      • Functional Architecture 
      • Physical Architecture Options & Key Principles 
    • Subsystems
      • Electrical Power Subsystem 
      • Attitude Determination & Control/Guidance 
    • Navigation & Control
      • Rocket Propulsion, Communications, 
      • Data Handling, Thermal Control 
      • Structures and Configuration 
  • Module 5: System Implementation, Operations & Evaluation 
    • Implementation 
    • Mission Operations 
    • Evaluating Mission Cost and Risk 
  • Threaded Case Study and Hands-on Exercises.

Presenter

Dr Bruce Chesley, Teaching Science and Technology Inc (TSTI)

Dr Bruce Chesley is an experienced space program manager and industry executive. He served as the Chief Strategist for a space system portfolio spanning human spaceflight, commercial satellites, and government space systems and he led the early development of a global broadband satellite constellation. He has also delivered advanced space systems and prototypes while serving in a variety of roles in program management, business development and engineering. His Air Force assignments included Air Force Space Command, the National Reconnaissance Office, and the USAF Academy where he was an Assistant Professor of Astronautics. He was elected to the International Academy of Astronautics in 2020 and serves as a Vice President on the Bureau of the International Astronautical Federation. He has published more than 20 technical papers and book chapters on satellite design and space systems engineering.