The Business, Politics, Policy, & Players of Space Programs (Coursera)

Week 1 - There are three lessons this week that will cover a range of topics that greatly influence where space exploration has been, is today, and will go. The Politics of Space, with Jack Waldorf and Abby Benson will provide a basic overview of how space missions are funded in the US government. Space Governance with Dr. Zach Donohew and Eric Alston, JD will present the case and justification for how we as species will need to govern what we do in space. The Business of Space with Dr. Dan Baker, will cover the basics of the space industry from the size to the value of doing business in space. These topics will build on many of the others we have covered in the other courses and in the lessons ahead.

Week 2 - This week's topic is Space Entrepreneurship and it is broken it into two parts. Both parts involve real-world space entrepreneurs. Part 1 is with Dr. James Stuart who has started many space companies and continues to work with other entrepreneurs as they push the boundary of what we do in space. Part 2 is with Scott Tibbitts, who has a very unique background and path to being a space entrepreneur but that did not stop him and his company from enabling NASA to explore Mars. These lessons will give you a new perspective on the impact entrepreneurs have in space exploration.

Week 3 and Week 4 are application lessons where we take a deep dive into a few of the many examples where space is used in our daily lives and how companies and academic programs are helping to bring access to space to everyone. The Global Positioning System (GPS), with Dr. Penny Axelrad, is so ingrained in our daily lives that we may not even realize we are using it. We will discuss how it came to be and how it will be used for years to come. David Ferguson and I will discuss SpaceX's Starship and Starlink programs and how one company is changing our vision for how we explore and use space. The Access to Space for All with Sierra Space, with Dr. Janet Kavandi, covers how one company, that many may not have heard of, has big plans for science and tourism in space. Dr. Kavandi also has some interesting space experience! The last lesson of this course covers an academic program at the University of Colorado Boulder call the Space Minor. Ashleigh Bailey and I discuss this unique program that allows students of all majors to minor in space. This program is a model of other institutions of higher education around the world.

So please consider enrolling and then let's hit the trail.

Course 3 of 4 in the Pathway to Space Specialization.

What You Will Learn

You will learn about the cosmos and your place in it, the ways we explore space, and how people and politics play a role in what we learn.

Syllabus

WEEK 1

The Politics of Space

Chris and Jack Waldorf (CUB) perform an overview of how political entities enable and define space exploration and space policy through an elaborate and highly contributed to budget process. [CUB = University of Colorado Boulder]

Space Governance

Chris, Dr. Eric Alston (CUB), and Dr. Zack Donohew (CUB) explore the inevitable role Governance has played and will play in the exploration of space. [CUB = University of Colorado Boulder]

The Business of Space

Chris and Dr. Dan Baker (LASP) discuss an overview of the societal role of space, government space exploration programs, and the future of space in academia and industry. [LASP = Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics]

WEEK 2

Space Entrepreneurship: Part 1

Chris and Dr. James Stuart conduct an examination of entrepreneurship’s role in the development of the space industry and civilian engagement in space exploration and science.

Space Entrepreneurship: Part 2

Chris and Scott Tibbitts walk on the path of a space entrepreneur from their creation, to their idea, their fundraising, the formation of their company, and the impact their solution provides to the space industry.

WEEK 3

The Global Positioning System

Chris and Dr. Penny Axelrad (CUB) provide an overview of the Global Positioning System (GPS) - what it is, how it works, and the many ways we rely on it. [CUB = University of Colorado Boulder]

SpaceX’s Starship and Starlink

Chris and David Ferguson (SpaceX) discuss an overview of the two SpaceX programs Starship and Starlink and their impacts on our future in space.

WEEK 4

Access to Space for All with Sierra Space

Chris and Dr. Janet Kavandi (Sierra Space) conduct an overview of Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser, Life Habitat, and Orbital Reef programs and how they are making space accessible and equitable to all while improving life on Earth.

The CU Space Minor

Chris and Ashleigh Bailey (CUB) explore the concept, components, and benefits of the Space Minor program offered to all students of the University of Colorado Boulder. [CUB = University of Colorado Boulder]