Syllabus

(6 hrs) Astronomy and Astrophysics: Planets, Moons, Asteroids, Meteorites, Comets; Stars and Evolution of Stars; Galaxies, Interstellar Medium; The Big Bang and Expansion of the Universe, Dark Matter and Dark Energy; Astronomical Telescopes and Observatories.

(6 hrs) Sun as a Star: Physics of the Solar Interior, Helioseismology, Solar Dynamo; Photosphere, Chromosphere, Transition Region, Corona; Solar Flares, Coronal Mass Ejections and Energetic Particles, and Solar wind.

(6 hrs) Atmospheric and Magnetospheric dynamics: Atmospheric Composition, Atmospheric Dynamics, Ionospheres of Planets, Solar Wind Plasma Interaction With Magnetized and Non-magnetized Planets, Auroras, Airglow; Planetary Magnetospheres, Radiation belts, Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Coupling, Reconnection and Formation of Ring Current; Space Weather, Geomagnetic Storms, Substorms.

(12 hrs) Orbital Mechanics and Space Environment: Newton’s Laws of Motion, Kepler Laws of Planetary motion; Satellite Orbits; Radiation, Vacuum, Space debris.
Space Exploration and Technology: Space Missions; Space Stations; Satellite Design and Components, Satellite Types, Launch Systems; Spacecraft Design, Spacecraft Propulsion, Space Communication, Space Robotics.

(6 hrs) Space Research Techniques and Future trends: Remote Sensing; Ground-based Techniques, Imaging Satellites, Space Instrumentation, Sensors, Detectors, Data Analysis in Space Science, Artificial Intelligence in Space, Space Tourism, Sustainability in Space.

To impart knowledge on
The fundamental principles of space science, including astronomy and astrophysics.

The basics of solar and planetary system to understand application of physical principles to the Sun and solar system planets

The Earth’s atmosphere and magnetosphere dynamics, and the complex interaction between the Sun and the Space including the Earth.

The concepts of space exploration and technology cultivating a research-oriented mindset, encouraging students to explore cutting-edge technologies and contribute to the field.

Interdisciplinary thinking by integrating knowledge from various scientific and engineering disciplines.

At the end of course, students will be able to:
CO1: Learn the basic concepts of the space science, including astronomy, astrophysics, solar planetary and atmospheric physics.

CO2: Learn the basic physical principles for the interpretation of various physical processes occurring on the Sun and in the solar system planets including that on the Earth.

CO3: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the orbital mechanics and the space environment.

CO4: Understand the concepts related to space exploration and technology.

CO5: Analyze open science problems related to space research and potential space science missions.

Bradley W. Carroll and Dale A. Ostlie, An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics, Cambridge University Press (2017)

Margaret G. Kivelson and C.T. Russel, Introduction to Space Physics, Cambridge University Press (2005)

Gunter Faure and Teresa M. Mensing, Introduction to Planetary Science, Springer (2007)

James R. Wertz and Wiley J. Larson, Space Mission Analysis and Design, Microcosm (1992)

George P. Sutton and Oscar Biblarz, Rocket Propulsion Elements, Wiley (2017)

Arnab Rai Choudhari, Astrophysics for Physicists, Cambridge University Press (2010)

Frank Shu, Physical Universe, University Science Books (1982)

M. Stix, The Sun: An Introduction, Springer (2004)

A. R. Choudhuri, The Physics of Fluids and Plasmas, Cambridge University Press (1999) , Cambridge University Press (1999)