LDE Space Fundamentals and Interactions

Please note: the text below is subject to changes.

Dit vak wordt alleen in het Engels aangeboden.

Admission requirements

This course is part of the LDE Space & Society Honours Programme (Leiden-Delft-Erasmus) and is therefore only open to students that are enrolled in this programme.

Topics

Exploration of various space disciplines with a focus on the integration of space exploration and applications, technological innovation and engineering progress, commercial and entrepreneurial dynamics, and legal, societal, and governance framework. Fostering of interdisciplinary understanding of the space sector's impact on society.

Disciplines

1. Space Applications & Exploration
2. Space Business & Innovation
3. Space Law, Governance & Society
4. Space Engineering & Technology

Skills

1. Researching
2. Collaborating
3. Societal awareness
4. Reflecting
5. Independent learning

Number of students

Minimum of 35 and maximum 60.

Description

The LDE Space Fundamentals and Interactions consist of lecturers from the three universities, as well as invited guest speakers, to introduce students to the fundamentals of the various space disciplines, how these disciplines interact with each other, and how they affect the development of the space sector. The lecture programme consists of four modules:

1. Space Applications & Exploration
2. Space Business & Innovation
3. Space Law, Governance & Society
4. Space Engineering & Technology

In each module, students are introduced to key elements and insights, in order to gain a broad understanding of each discipline. They are also guided to explore the interaction among the disciplines through practical examples and discussion. Combined, the modules offer an outlook on the drivers and boundaries that shape space activities, as well as an overview of global advancements in the space sector and the technologies that rely on it. This fundamental knowledge prepares the students for working on the practical part of the programme, the LDE Space Challenge.

Course objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Identify the key aspects of each discipline and their relevance to space programmes and projects.

• Understand the interactions between the disciplines and their influence on the development of space activities and the space sector worldwide.

• Analyse a space project to identify synergies and overlaps among the various disciplines.

• Adress complex questions related to a space challenge through an interdisciplinary lens and with the aim to developing actionable and context-specific solutions.

Programme and timetable

Classes run from 19:00 to 21:00 hrs. on Wednesdays. Lectures will take place on different locations at Leiden University, TU Delft, and Erasmus University.

General Introduction

• November 12th - Kick-off honours programme

Module “Applications and Exploration”

• Earth Observation
  Dr. Joris Timmermans (TUD): This lecture will cover how earth observation techniques are presently applied to monitor sustainable development goals.

• Space Exploration
  This lecture addresses the exploration of the universe. Topics that will be addressed include astronomy, planetary sciences, Moon and Mars missions

• Space Applications & Exploration (interactions)
  Dr. Joris Timmermans (TUD): This lecture will focus on applying observation techniques (discussed in previous lectures) to solve real-life challenges, regarding sustainable development goals, and space entrepreneurship.

Module “Business & Innovation”

• NewSpace, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
  Dr. Willem Hulsink (EUR): This lecture explores the opportunities presented by NewSpace, examining the rise of innovative space companies such as SpaceX and Blue Origin.

• Business & Economy
  Dr. René Olie (UL): In this session, we discuss the fundamentals of business models, how they are applied in the space sector, and how they drive success.

• Space Business & Innovation (interactions)
  Dr. René Olie (UL) & Dr. Willem Hulsink (EUR): We will discuss how the business & innovation aspects interact with the other space disciplines, and how they relate to the group assignment

Module “Engineering & Technology"

• Space Engineering fundamentals
  Ir. Sevket Uludag (TUD) (& Ir. Peter Batenburg): In this lecture the fundamentals of space engineering will be addressed. We will discuss the subsystems of a space craft, the fundamentals of propulsion and orbital mechanics and how system engineering is applied to make a reliant system design

• Space technologies
  Ir. Sevket Uludag (TUD) & Dr. Joris Timmermans (TUD): This lecture addresses the fundamentals as well as the capabilities and limitations of Satellite remote sensing using different types of sensors.

• Space Engineering & Technology & interactions
  Ir. Sevket Uludag (TUD), Ir. Peter Batenburg (LDE) (& Dr. Joris Timmermans (TUD)): We will discuss how the engineering & technology aspects of space activities interact with the other disciplines, and how they relate to the group assignment.

Module “Law, Governance & Society"

• Space law fundamentals
  Dr. Tanja Masson-Zwaan (UL): This lecture will discuss the history of space law & policy, particularly focusing on the UN Space treaties and international instruments related to space activities. It will also address the impact of space law on the development of the space sector.

• Space law through examples
  Dr. Tanja Masson-Zwaan (UL): This class will explain the application of space law in practice, through examples from various types of space activities. It will also elaborate on national space regulation.

• Space governance and society
  Ir. Peter Batenburg (LDE): The governance of space activities and the role of space for society will form the topic of this lecture, which will touch upon the societal benefits of space technology, space cooperation initiatives, and international organisations active in the area of space.

Preparatory work and background readings

Most sessions will require preparatory work, such as readings or watching videos. Links to these sources will be posted on Brightspace.

Course load and teaching method

This course is worth 7 ECTS, which means the total course load equals 196 hours:

• Seminars: 14 seminars of 2 hours (participation is mandatory)

• Preparation for seminars: approx. 6 hours per seminar (6 hours).

• Assignment: approximately 84 hours (spread over the duration of the LDE Space Fundamentals & Interactions).

Attendance and assessment

Attendance is mandatory and will be recorded. During the fundamentals course, students are permitted to miss a maximum of two sessions at most, provided they provide prior explanation. They cannot miss more than one session per module.

Students will be evaluated through a written exam at the end of Fundamentals & Interactions II. This will test their understanding of the content discussed in the sessions. This includes both class discussions and preparatory work such as reading material. The exam will consist of short open-ended questions and/or multiple-choice questions.

Students will be assessed on the basis of a pass/fail basis. A passing grade is required, in order to progress to the LDE Space Challenge. In the event of a fail, an alternative assignment will be set.

Brightspace

The Brightspace environment of Leiden University will be used in this course. Students will be enrolled to the Brightspace module by the organisation of the course.

Registration process

To participate in this course, you need to apply for the LDE Space & Society Honours Programme. The application for 2025-2026 is open from 1 September (9:00 hrs) until 5 October (22:00 hrs) through the Honours Academy of Leiden University. The application form will be published on their student website.

• Please note that it is not possible to follow (part of) this programme online.

• Please note that students are not required to register through uSis for this course. Your registration will be done centrally.

Contact

Programme coordinator: Dr. Rene Olie, LDESpaceSocietyHonours@ha.leidenuniv.nl.