Space Technology and Planetary Exploration 2012
"The accommodation is very close to the lectures and there is a lot of technology available on campus that is related to my course."
Daniel Martin
Space technology is a rapidly developing area in the twenty-first century, whether it is for the study of climate change, provision of communications and navigation or the understanding of our place in the universe.
Space exploration is undergoing a revolution as access to space becomes more readily available. At the leading edge of this revolution is the University's Surrey Space Centre – an acknowledged world leader in the design, construction, launch and operation of small satellites. With 28 years’ knowledge and with 34 satellites built on campus and successfully launched, Surrey offers you a unique opportunity to obtain cutting-edge experience in space technologies.
Factfile
| Minimum Entry Requirements | MEng: A level grades AAA BEng: A level grades AAB If you are an international student and you don’t meet the entry requirements to this degree, we offer the International Foundation Year. All applicants should also adhere to the University's General Entrance Requirements. |
|---|---|
| Required Subjects | Mathematics grade A and at least one of Physics, Electronics and Further Mathematics |
| English Language Requirements | An IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent for non-native-English-speaking applicants. If you are an international student and you are concerned that your English is not to the required standard, you may benefit from our International Foundation Year. Please note that the University of Surrey offers English language programmes and is also an IELTS Test Centre. |
| Other Suitable Qualifications | Higher grades refer to MEng programme. BTEC National Diploma - DDD with an appropriate level 3 qualification in Mathematics International Baccalaureate - 36-35 points with grade 6 in both Higher Level Mathematics and Physics European Baccalaureate - 76-75% with 80% in both Mathematics and Physics A wide range of other qualifications will be considered on an individual basis, including Cambridge Pre-U. |
| Selection Process | Suitable applicants are invited for interview and a departmental visit before an offer is made. Overseas candidates, unable to visit, will be made offers based on their UCAS form. |
Degrees
Degree Programmes
BEng (Hons) Degrees
| Degree | UCAS code | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| * Programme includes a professional training year | ||
| BEng (Hons) Space Technology and Planetary Exploration | F590 | 3 years |
| BEng (Hons) Space Technology and Planetary Exploration | F591 | 4* years |
MEng Degrees
| Degree | UCAS code | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| * Programme includes a professional training year | ||
| MEng Space Technology and Planetary Exploration | F593 | 4 years |
| MEng Space Technology and Planetary Exploration | F592 | 5* years |
Degrees
Degree Programmes
BEng (Hons) Degrees
| Degree | UCAS code | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| * Programme includes a professional training year | ||
| BEng (Hons) Space Technology and Planetary Exploration | F590 | 3 years |
| BEng (Hons) Space Technology and Planetary Exploration | F591 | 4* years |
MEng Degrees
| Degree | UCAS code | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| * Programme includes a professional training year | ||
| MEng Space Technology and Planetary Exploration | F593 | 4 years |
| MEng Space Technology and Planetary Exploration | F592 | 5* years |
Our Degrees
The Space Technology and Planetary Exploration programmes adopt a systematic approach to introducing fundamentals of space systems and space mission design in conjunction with practical experience of their application to real-world space engineering problems. The degree aims to provide you with a rigorous professional education in space engineering principles and scientific methods for space exploration.
You will develop a strong theoretical (mathematical and scientific) background for mission planning and spacecraft design, alongside the skills for practical problem solving and system development. You will benefit from the state-of-the-art spacecraft engineering facility here at the University, and be provided with an insight into the business of space. This will include all the stages from mission planning to its successful completion. You will have access to and operational knowledge of commercial software packages for mechanical, thermal electronic and RF design, mission planning and system modelling.
The University of Surrey is uniquely placed to provide such a programme, as we are the only university anywhere in the world that has a sustained programme of building complete satellites, performing the mission planning, working with international launch agencies and providing in-orbit operations.
You will therefore have access to all aspects of the design and delivery of a space vehicle with payloads for a space mission.
These degree programmes are supported by the European Space Agency, the UK Industrial Space Committee and the major UK and European space companies, including the University’s own spin-out company, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL).
Other degrees you may be interested in:
Programme
Programme Overview
We offer both MEng and BEng degree programmes with the opportunity of a professional training year in industry.
Our BEng programme aims to give you an understanding of the fundamentals of space systems and space mission design with practical experience of their application to real-world space engineering. The MEng programme, in addition, provides a deeper understanding of some of the specialist technical areas involved through the study of advanced Level M modules.
Both programmes will develop your understanding of space engineering. They will provide you with an understanding of our planet, solar system, space mission design and satellite engineering. In addition you will gain an appreciation of professional engineering practice across management, business, ethical responsibility and social contexts.
During Level 1 and Level 2 you will be introduced to core material in electronics and software development alongside core mathematical skills and physics. The modules are common with our Electronic Engineering degree programmes with specialist modules in Levels 2 and 3.
Level 3 builds on these foundations to introduce advanced topics dedicated to space technology. You will be introduced to more optional modules that will broaden your knowledge and offer a range of specialisms within the area of space technology and its application. You will also undertake a project as part of a group. This is exciting and challenging work, utilising all the skills and knowledge you have acquired to put together a proposed space mission and design a satellite to accomplish the mission.
Level M (MEng only) continues to develop advanced topics and deepen your knowledge. You will have an additional opportunity to work as part of a multidisciplinary team through the general Multidisciplinary Design Project.
Programme Structure
Level 1
Modules contain topics such as:
- Mathematics
- Programming
- Computer Systems and Networking
- Engineering Design and Professional Studies
- Electronic Engineering Science
- Laboratories
- Signals and Communications
- Digital Logic
- Analogue Electronics
- Circuit Analysis
Level 2
Modules contain topics such as:
- Introduction to Space Mission Design
- Communications Systems
- Engineering Mathematics
- Linear Systems Analysis
- Laboratories
- Electromagnetism
- Analogue Electronics
- Digital Engineering
- Electronic and Photonic Devices
Level P
- Optional professional training year
Level 3
Modules contain topics such as:
- Spacecraft Design Project
- Dynamics and Control of Spacecraft
- Spacecraft Bus Subsystems
- Space Missions
- Object-oriented Design and C++
- Digital Signal Processing
- Physics of Stars
- Control Engineering
- Introduction to Nanotechnology
Level M (MEng only)
Modules contain topics such as:
- Spacecraft Systems Design
- Launch Vehicles and Propulsion
- Advanced Guidance, Navigation and Control
- Multidisciplinary Design Project
- Theory of Interplanetary Exploration
- Space Robotics
- Satellite Remote Sensing
- Antennas and Propagation
- RF Systems and Circuits
Professional Training
Our professional training year will offer you the chance to broaden your experience and to apply the knowledge you will have gained at Levels 1 and 2 in a real-world context. Our students often find that upon their return to the academic programme, they have a much greater insight into the direct relevance of the material they are studying.
The presence of Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd on campus provides an excellent opportunity for students on this programme to find placements locally and to get direct experience in a company designing and building small satellites. Another key UK space company, EADS Astrium, has also expressed interest in providing placements for our students.
The concentration of space companies in the South East of the UK and in nearby continental Europe provides additional potential placement opportunities if you wish to work further afield.
Why Surrey?
Key reasons to study Space Technology and Planetary Exploration 2012 at Surrey
- Ranked third in The Times Good University Guide 2011 and second in The Guardian University Guide 2011
- Consistently high satisfaction in the National Student Survey (NSS)
- Teaching inspired by world-class research
- Pioneers of new space mission concepts for the exploration and development of space including nano/pico-satellites, micro-propulsion and advanced planetary exploring robots
- Hands-on experience of spacecraft engineering
- A strong international focus, helping nations to get into space
- Close ties with space industries and the European Space Agency
- Direct access to data from satellites in orbit
- Our own spin-out space company, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, provides placement experience
- Ideally situated for key UK space industries which are clustered around the Surrey area
- Direct access to experts in the design, construction and operation of spacecraft
Careers
Top for Jobs
Many companies are interested in employing graduates from these programmes, including EADS Astrium, Logica CMG, NPA Satellite Mapping and Analyticon, as well as our own spin-out company, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL).
Career Opportunities
The Space Technology and Planetary Exploration programme is designed to give you the specialist multidisciplinary knowledge and skills required for careers based on working with space technology and its applications. This programme will therefore make you very attractive to the relevant space related industries that employ over 6500 people in the UK alone.
Our degrees provide a thorough understanding of the mathematical methods and scientific principles that underpin space engineering, creating a foundation for an exciting career, and on which a postgraduate programme can build. As the programme also involves the common core of Electronic Engineering modules, you will also be highly sought after by other sectors such as the telecommunications, computing and semiconductor industries.
More
Teaching
You will have a stimulating mixture of lectures, laboratory work, tutorials and exercises, and be taught by staff who are leaders in their field. Your first three semesters contain the common Electronic Engineering core modules. During this period you will meet your personal tutor on a weekly basis along with a small group of students. This will provide the opportunity for you to go through the material in a more informal way.
As you progress through Levels 2 and 3, you will encounter the more specialist modules dedicated to space topics.
At Level 3 and particularly at Level M, the more advanced space topics are covered.
You will come together with the other students taking this programme to carry out a multidisciplinary space-related project at Level 3. Although you will be assessed individually, each student is expected to contribute to a collective space mission design goal, for example, designing a pico-satellite rendezvous and docking mission, or exploring the surface of Mars robotically.
Facilities
The University of Surrey hosts the Surrey Space Centre, a unique facility comprising academics and engineers from our own spin-out company, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, where space missions are planned and operated, and where space vehicles are designed and built.
Specialist laboratories contain equipment for the construction and testing of space technology. Our Mission Control Centre provides operational support of space missions, and access to a vast data archive from those missions.
Our teaching laboratories provide hands-on experience of satellite design and construction through the use of ‘EyasSAT’ nanosatellite kits. They also house meteorological satellite receiving stations for the live reception of satellite weather images from METEOSAT and NOAA.
Assessment
All modules are assessed by written examination or coursework, or a combination of the two. Coursework accounts for approximately 30 per cent of the overall degree mark.
Academic Support
The academic staff who teach on this programme are all research-active, and the specialist space modules are delivered by staff recognised as world leaders in small satellite technology. You will receive support from a personal tutor throughout your degree, including regular tutor group meetings during your first three semesters.
Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL)
The Surrey Space Centre houses both space academic activity and the University’s space spin-out company, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL). This ensures close links between our degree programmes and the industrial activity of this cutting-edge space research company.
SSTL was originally formed in 1985 by a small group of academic researchers, whose pioneering spirit has helped it to become a leader in space technology. Since 2000, SSTL has grown by approximately 20 per cent each year and now employs over 200 people, generating sales of more than £24 million per year – two-thirds of which are export contracts. It has been involved in 34 space missions – many of which are or have been operated from the Mission Control Centre.
Recently, SSTL formed a new company, DMCii, to exploit the imaging data generated by its recent highly successful constellation of Earth-imaging micro-satellites. These satellites are playing a major role in providing timely and detailed satellite imagery for humanitarian purposes.
Most recently, SSTL designed, built and launched Giove-A – the first of Europe’s Galileo Navigation Satellites.