Courses
Georgetown University offers a diverse array of courses that encompass diverse aspects of space studies, reflecting the nature of this dynamic field.
Our courses span policy development, environmental science, biology, law and the technological advancements driving space exploration. This interdisciplinary approach prepares you for the challenges and opportunities in the field of space, allowing you to become future-informed leaders who can navigate the complexities of space-related issues.
Spring 2026 courses
Explore the available Space Studies courses during the 2026 spring term.
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BIOL 4948: Pop Up Astrobiology Lab II
Welcome to Pop-Up Labs! In the second semester of this course, we will follow the whole arc of scientific inquiry and engagement–from project design and sample collection through data generation,…
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BIOL 5170: Astrobiology Journal Club
This journal club provides a relaxed setting for students to present their research for peer review and discuss the most recent topics in astrobiology and planetary sciences. Course information
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ERTH 3360/ENIA 5010: Environmental Remote Sensing
This course explores the world of imagery and other data captured by satellites, and how those data are used to understand, monitor, and protect our planet. Geographic information system (GIS)…
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IPOL-3400: Space Security & Militarization of Space
The actor Mark Hamill, also known as Luke Skywalker, recently partnered with the Department of State to talk about living life in International Space Station. While this is an exciting…
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LAW 3172: Law and National Security Space Operations
This course explores the development of law (domestic and international) governing space operations generally, application of the law to present day national security activities, and emerging issues in national security…
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LAW 406: Space Law Seminar
This seminar addresses current issues arising under international law related to outer space. Class discussion will include issues such as: liability for damage caused by space objects, use of outer…
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MSFS 5590: Space Policy and Diplomacy
This course provides an overview of key space topics and explores how they intersect with the complex landscape of space policy, diplomacy and international affairs. This course will examine contemporary…
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SEST-6752: National Security Space Policy and Technology
Want to learn about the newest warfighting domain and a central arena of great power competition? This course will examine how spacepower contributes to U.S. national and international security, the…
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STIA 4005: Foundations of Space Studies
From launching satellites that power global communications to exploring distant planets, space has become one of the most dynamic arenas of human activity. Today, it is shaped by strategic rivalries…
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STIA 4280: Habitable Planet Lab
This class explores the concept of extreme environments as a window into the potential habitability of other planets while also teaching students to look more closely at our own world.…
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STIA 4321: Rocket Economics
A new generation of reusable rockets and smaller more powerful satellites are revolutionizing the space business. Rocket Economics will examine the fundamentals of the rapidly expanding space economy driven by…
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STIA 4408: Justifying Space—The Changing Ethics and Values behind Space Exploration Dreams
This will be a seminar class about the changing visions and motivations for space exploration, historically and to the present day. Readings will include historical perspectives such as those of…
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STIA 4410: Governing the Next Frontier—Cislunar Space
Cislunar governance concerns the rules for the region of space extending from Earth’s orbit out to and including the orbit and surface of the Moon. This zone is fast becoming…
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STIA 4417: National Lab Space Research Forum
This seminar offers students a guided introduction to the cutting-edge space research conducted at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). Over the course of the semester, participants will hear from prominent…
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STIA 4418/PHYS 2020: Astronomy and Astrophysics
This class will introduce students to a variety of active research topics in astrophysics today as well as the context and basics of the particular area of study from the…
Complete Space Studies course list
Browse the wide range of courses related to space studies offered at Georgetown University throughout the academic year.
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BIOL 4947: Pop-Up Astrobiology Lab I
Welcome to Pop-Up Labs! In the first semester of this course, we will to tackle real-world astrobiology research questions. Regardless of where samples derive from, we’ll enter the world of…
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BIOL 4948: Pop Up Astrobiology Lab II
Welcome to Pop-Up Labs! In the second semester of this course, we will follow the whole arc of scientific inquiry and engagement–from project design and sample collection through data generation,…
-
BIOL 5170: Astrobiology Journal Club
This journal club provides a relaxed setting for students to present their research for peer review and discuss the most recent topics in astrobiology and planetary sciences. Course information
-
ERTH 3360/ENIA 5010: Environmental Remote Sensing
This course explores the world of imagery and other data captured by satellites, and how those data are used to understand, monitor, and protect our planet. Geographic information system (GIS)…
-
ERTH 4010: Environmental GIS
Students will learn how to work with geospatial data to understand and address environmental issues. Popular GIS tools (such as ArcGIS) will be used to create maps for the effective…
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GOVT 3679: Interstellar Politics
Authors writing in the Science Fiction/Speculative Fiction (SF) genre have long explored political themes— such as the rise and decline of empires, the impact of technological change on individual liberty,…
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HIST 3413: Outer Space—Plato to Pluto
Human beings, regardless of when and where, have looked to the skies and pondered, “what’s up there.” Answers and speculations have found their way into religious texts, scientific books, and…
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HIST 3415: Neighboring Worlds—The Moon, Mars, Venus, and Asteroids in History
We may be on the verge of a new era in humanity’s expansion into outer space. Space agencies in the United States, China, and Russia have all committed themselves to…
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IPOL-3400: Space Security & Militarization of Space
The actor Mark Hamill, also known as Luke Skywalker, recently partnered with the Department of State to talk about living life in International Space Station. While this is an exciting…
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LAW 3078: Commercial Space Law
This course will provide an overview of U.S. domestic legal regimes that govern commercial spaceflight activities, including those managed by the Federal Aviation Administration, Federal Communications Commission, Department of Commerce,…
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LAW 3172: Law and National Security Space Operations
This course explores the development of law (domestic and international) governing space operations generally, application of the law to present day national security activities, and emerging issues in national security…
-
LAW 406: Space Law Seminar
This seminar addresses current issues arising under international law related to outer space. Class discussion will include issues such as: liability for damage caused by space objects, use of outer…
-
MSFS 5590: Space Policy and Diplomacy
This course provides an overview of key space topics and explores how they intersect with the complex landscape of space policy, diplomacy and international affairs. This course will examine contemporary…
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SEST 6518: Space Strategy, Policy, and Ops
This course examines the extent to which space power theory, concepts, and operations influence national security strategy and international security. It identifies key space policy issues facing the United States…
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SEST 6567: Space Technologies and Security
This course examines the extent to which spacepower doctrine, concepts, and operations influence national security strategy and international security. It identifies key space policy issues facing the United States and…
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SEST 6577: GIS for Security Studies
This course provides an introduction to geospatial data science and its applications to public policy, political economy, and international relations. The course will enable students to work with Geographic Information…
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SEST 6631: Outer Space/Strategic Capabilities
This course will explore how outer space and associated strategic technologies are transforming the international security environment. The course will examine the role that outer space played during the Cold…
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SEST 6632: Space Policy and Power
This course examines the evolution and challenges of U.S. space policies and strategies, space programs, and space activities within the context of technological, environmental, economic, and international relations theories. Integral…
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SEST-6752: National Security Space Policy and Technology
Want to learn about the newest warfighting domain and a central arena of great power competition? This course will examine how spacepower contributes to U.S. national and international security, the…
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STIA 2270: Earth and Planetary Science
How did Earth become the planet we know today, and what can it teach us about worlds beyond our own? In this course, we’ll explore Earth as a dynamic system,…
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STIA 2700: Space for Environmental Action
The class will introduce how space technologies can be used for societal benefit on earth and explore what a sustained human presence in the space environment means for our future.…
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STIA 4005: Foundations of Space Studies
From launching satellites that power global communications to exploring distant planets, space has become one of the most dynamic arenas of human activity. Today, it is shaped by strategic rivalries…
-
STIA 4280: Habitable Planet Lab
This class explores the concept of extreme environments as a window into the potential habitability of other planets while also teaching students to look more closely at our own world.…
-
STIA 4321: Rocket Economics
A new generation of reusable rockets and smaller more powerful satellites are revolutionizing the space business. Rocket Economics will examine the fundamentals of the rapidly expanding space economy driven by…
-
STIA 4400: Space Diplomacy
Spaceflight increasingly serves as a powerful tool for diplomacy, fostering collaboration between nations and shaping global relations. This interdisciplinary course explores the role of outer space in international relations, examining…
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STIA 4406: Space Security and Exploration
Satellites provide a foundation for Earth and space science, weather forecasting, treaty verification, strategic and military intelligence, global communications and navigation, and projection of military power. This course will focus…
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STIA 4408: Justifying Space—The Changing Ethics and Values behind Space Exploration Dreams
This will be a seminar class about the changing visions and motivations for space exploration, historically and to the present day. Readings will include historical perspectives such as those of…
-
STIA 4410: Governing the Next Frontier—Cislunar Space
Cislunar governance concerns the rules for the region of space extending from Earth’s orbit out to and including the orbit and surface of the Moon. This zone is fast becoming…
-
STIA 4417: National Lab Space Research Forum
This seminar offers students a guided introduction to the cutting-edge space research conducted at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). Over the course of the semester, participants will hear from prominent…
-
STIA 4418/PHYS 2020: Astronomy and Astrophysics
This class will introduce students to a variety of active research topics in astrophysics today as well as the context and basics of the particular area of study from the…