Master of Science in Space Studies

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1 Master of Science in Space Studies Majors: Space Law, Policy, Business and Management Space Sciences Space Technology and Applications INTERUNIVERSITY PROGRAMME Faculty of Science Faculty of Engineering Faculty of Medicine Faculty of Law KU Leuven. Inspiring the outstanding.

2 Discover KU Leuven Situated in Belgium, in the heart of Western Europe, KU Leuven has been a centre of learning for nearly six centuries. Today, it is Belgium's largest and highest-ranked university and, founded in 1425, one of the oldest and most renowned universities in Europe. As a leading European research university and co-founder of the League of European Research Universities (LERU), KU Leuven offers a wide variety of international master s programmes, all supported by highquality, innovative, interdisciplinary research. Since its founding, KU Leuven has been based in the city that shares its name. Leuven is a pleasant, safe and bustling student town, where centuries-rich history meets cutting-edge science. The university also offers degree programmes at campuses in 11 Belgian cities, including Brussels, Ghent and Antwerp. Master of Space Studies The space sector plays an important role in economic, social, technological and scientific developments. The future of the sector and its manifold applications require highly skilled experts with a broad interdisciplinary perspective. The development of innovative space technologies is fostered by an intense symbiosis between technological sectors and the challenges set by fundamental research in exact and biomedical sciences. Additionally, the economic and social valorisation of space technologies requires an efficient relationship between project developers and the economic sector. The large scale of space projects imposes important constraints on management, while the international character of the space sector and of its broad applications, including the relevance of space for security and defence, implies a need for European and international legal and political measures. The programme is enriched through regular guest lectures by space sector professional from international, national and regional institutions and industries. Many of these professionals also assist in the design and supervision of master s thesis projects.

3 Admission requirements The interdisciplinary Master of Space Studies programme is open to students who have already obtained a master s degree. The criteria for admission to the programme include the following: the candidate has obtained an initial master s degree for which he/she can motivate the relevance for space studies the candidate presents a 2-page essay with a consistent view of the importance of the programme for his/her professional expectations, in view of the candidate s previous education the candidate may be invited to an intake interview Interested candidates are invited to send their CV and a comprehensive motivation letter to MSSapplication@ster.kuleuven.be. The objective of the selection procedure with respect to the initial master s degree is to verify the student s chances of success. However, students with an initial master s degree that does not have a direct apparent connection with space studies can still apply, and may be accepted depending on the power of conviction of their background and argumentation. Essay and CV should be sent to the address above, preferentially before June. International students should also apply through the general KU Leuven admission website Deadlines are 1 June for candidates from the European Educational Area and 1 March for non-eea candidates. Good knowledge of the English language, both written and spoken, is essential. Non-native English speakers are required to submit a TOEFL or IELTS certificate (TOEFL (Computer-based test 213 pt., Internet-based test pt., Paper-based test 550 pt.) or IELTS (6.5-7 pt.)). All international students must meet the language requirements set by the International Admissions & Mobility Unit at KU Leuven. The enrolment fee for the Master of Space Studies is Programme The programme is conceived as an advanced master s programme and as such it requires applicants to have successfully completed an initial master s programme in either the humanities and social sciences, exact sciences and technology or biomedical sciences. The interdisciplinary nature of the programme is expressed by the common core of 25 ECTS in introductory coursework. These courses are mandatory for every student. They acquaint the student with the different aspects that together form the foundation of space-related activities. The backgrounds of the students in programme are diverse, but all students have the ability to transfer knowledge across disciplines. Depending on their background and interests, students have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge through more domain-specific optional courses, for a total of 20 ECTS, covering the domains of (A) Space Law, Policy, Business and Management, (B) Space Sciences and (C) Space Technology and Applications, with the possibility to combine the latter two.

4 For the master s thesis (15 ECTS), students are embedded in a research team of one of the organising universities, or in an external institute, organisation or industrial company, in which case an academic supervisor is assigned as the coordinator of the project. The master s thesis is the final section of the interdisciplinary programme, in which the acquired knowledge and abilities are applied to a complex and concrete project. MASTER OF SPACE STUDIES 60 ECTS COURSE ECTS INTRODUCTORY COURSES Introduction to Law, Policy, Business and Management (for students with a degree in Sciences, Applied (Biological) Sciences or Medicine) 5 Introduction to Exact Sciences and Technology (for students with a degree in Human Sciences) 5 TRUNCUS COMMUNIS All courses are mandatory for all students. Fundamental Science from Space 5 Engineering Design of Space Missions and Spacecraft Components 5 Questions in Human Spaceflight 5 Space Law, Policy, Business and Management 5 MAJOR SUBJECTS 20 The students have to choose one Major Subject. It is recommended that students with a degree in Human Sciences take Major Subject Space Law, Policy, Business and Management. Students with a degree in Sciences, Applied (Biological) Sciences or Medicine are recommended to choose between Major Subjects Space Sciences and Space Technology and Applications.In agreement with the programme director, 6 credits can be spent on courses from other programmes. A Space Law, Policy, Business and Management The Law of International Organisations 6 Innovation Management and Strategy 6 Introduction to Management and Strategy 4 Project Management 3 Advanced Topics in Space Law, Policy, Business and Management 6 Space Organisations 4 B Space Sciences Students choose at minimum 20 credits from the first subgroup, or a combination of courses from both subgroups. SUBGROUP 1: SPACE SCIENCES Space Weather 4 Advanced Topics in Life Sciences in Space 4 Astrophysics from Space 4 Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere 4 Synchrotron Radiation Research in Earth and Planetary Sciences 4 Global Change Monitoring and Coastal Processes 3

5 COURSE ECTS SUBGROUP 2: SPACE TECHNOLOGY AND APPLICATIONS Space Geodesy, Geophysics and Earth Observation 4 Satellite and Space Communications 4 Spacecraft Technology and Space Environment 5 Reliability of Space Systems 4 Robotics 4 Image Analysis and Understanding 6 C Space Technology and Applications Students choose at minimum 20 credits from the first subgroup, or a combination of courses from both subgroups. SUBGROUP 1: SPACE TECHNOLOGY AND APPLICATIONS Space Geodesy, Geophysics and Earth Observation 4 Satellite and Space Communications 4 Spacecraft Technology and Space Environment 5 Reliability of Space Systems 4 Robotics 4 Image Analysis and Understanding 6 SUBGROUP 2: SPACE SCIENCES Space Weather 4 Advanced Topics in Life Sciences in Space 4 Astrophysics from Space 4 Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere 4 Synchrotron Radiation Research in Earth and Planetary Sciences 4 Global Change Monitoring and Coastal Processes 3 MASTER'S THESIS 15 For detailed descriptions of this programme s courses and for the course timetable, please consult Career outlook Graduates will be in a position to develop a career in the space sector or in space research. Depending on his/her previous degree, the student will find opportunities in the space industry (engineers, product developers and technical-commercial functions with a high degree of technical and financial responsibilities), research institutions with activities in space (researchers and project developers), (inter)governmental bodies with responsibilities in research and development programmes related to space (project managers and directors, policy makers on national, European and international levels). The spectrum of employment possibilities encompasses not only the space sector as such, but also the broader context of companies and organisations which use or are facilitated by space missions.

6 KU LEUVEN Oude Markt 13 box LEUVEN, Belgium Learn more fys.kuleuven.be/ster/education/mss General information Publications Faculty of Science Kasteelpark Arenberg 11 box HEVERLEE, Belgium This brochure provides the most complete and accurate information available concerning this master s programme offered at KU Leuven. However, amendments to the composition of this programme may be approved at any time. Consequently, KU Leuven is in no way legally bound by the information provided in this brochure. The most recent information on all our academic programmes can be consulted at Last updated: February 2015 v.u.: Isabelle Van Geet, Oude Markt 13, 3000 Leuven