Develop national and international practices for sustainable outer space activities. Understand the United Nations ‘Guidelines for the Long-term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities’.
Duration
10 weeks
Weekly study
7 – 10 hours
Location
100% online
Certification
Digital
With the space sector growing faster than global GDP, public and private actors are frantically developing space sustainability practices to maintain pace with commercial development of outer space activities. To support and accelerate this move towards essential sustainable processes, the United Nations published a set of guidelines.
This course provides an introduction to space governance and current challenges, explores the 21 points of the United Nations ‘Guidelines for the Long-term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities’, and provides an interactive workshop to develop a draft Space Sustainability Roadmap or Action Plan.
- WELCOME! Meet other members of your cohort and familiarise yourself with the online learning space.
- MODULE ONE: Space Governance and Challenges to the Long-term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities
- MODULES TWO & THREE: Guidelines Section A: Policy and Regulatory Framework for Space Activities
- MODULES FOUR – SIX: Guidelines Section B: Safety of Space Operations
- MODULE SEVEN: Guidelines Section C: International Cooperation, Capacity Building and Awareness
- MODULE EIGHT: Guidelines Section D: Scientific and Technical Research and Development
- MODULE NINE: Create a space sustainability roadmap
- MODULE TEN: Peer coaching — share your questions/queries with the group for peer support and instant coaching
- MINI PROJECT (OPTIONAL): Throughout the course, you will build your own Space Sustainability Roadmap or Action Plan, based on existing research/policy and with a focus of your choice.
- This course is 100% online delivery, using text, diagrams and videos.
- A weekly online drop-in session will give you a chance to ask any questions and meet other members of your cohort. This is optional and is typically held mid-week, evening time (UK).
- You can also use the online forums to ask questions and chat with other members of your cohort.
- Modules are released on a weekly basis, to be completed in your own time.
- Learning materials will be provided online and available as a PDF download.
- Real-world case studies, research and space policies are used throughout.
No prior learning is required for this course.
The course is currently delivered in simple English. Any technical terminology used as part of the course, will be explained.
Assessment is ongoing and includes weekly quizzes and an end of assignment mini project.
Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive a digital certificate of competence issued by the Centre of Astrosociology. File is provided in PDF format, A4, for you to print.
Helen Rankin is an astrosociologist with a focus on social and economic legacy of outer space activities.
