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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 LLNL scientists and engineers working on topics such as spacecraft instrumentation, remote sensing, astrophysics, planetary defense, small sats, earth system science, and astrobiology. Students will […]

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 Big Bang to the formation of stars and planets.  The course will also provide an overview of different astronomical techniques and observatories as well as […]

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 a crossroads for science, commerce, and security, yet no agreed playbook exists for how countries and companies should operate there, or how existing treaties and […]

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 K. Tsiolkovsky, Arthur C. Clarke, Gerard O’Neil, and Carl Sagan, the poetry of Diane Ackerman, the newsletters of space enthusiast organizations such as the National […]

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. We will learn what types of environments on Earth are used as analogs for planetary exploration, and in what ways: testing rovers and instruments that […]

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 such as the U.S.–China competition, the rise of private launch companies, new missions to the Moon and Mars, and pressing debates over orbital debris and […]

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 space resources, rescue of astronauts and return of objects launched into outer space, environmental issues in outer space, and other more specific topics such as […]

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) tools such as ArcGIS, R, and Google Earth Engine will be used to analyze datasets and create maps and other visualizations. Particular focus will be […]