University of North Dakota
SpSt 570: Introduction to Space Communications
Mr. James Allen
Phone: 602-214-4173
E-mail:
Course Overview
The course is an introduction to the broad field of space communications. Many topics will be covered in a quick, yet thorough, overview detailing aspects that are important in the space communications industry. Some topics will be explored in more detail. This course is a primer to the technical concepts, jargon, buzzwords, and acronyms of the space communications industry, plus an overview of satellite communications history, regulatory mechanisms, and business aspects of the industry.
Reading
Critical reading is an essential skill to understand this subject. The popular and technical press, as well as other forms of media, regularly report space communications related topics. Completing class reading assignments posted to the course website will aid in understanding the material presented in the class and be necessary to fully participate in group discussions and complete individual assignments.
Required text for the course:
Satellite Communications for the Nonspecialist by Dr. Mark Chartrand
ISBN: 0819451851
Format: Hardcover, 450pp
Pub. Date: April 2004
Publisher: S P I E-The International Society for Optical Engineering
Course Schedule:
Week 1 (22 Aug – 28 Aug)
Lecture 570/01 and 570/02
Discussion of paper topics
Week 2 (29 Aug – 4 Sep)
Lecture 570/03 and 570/04
Chapter 1 and any posted reading assignment
Week 3 (5 Sep – 11 Sep) – no Chat September 5th
Lecture 570/05 and 570/06
Chapters 4 – 8
*** Short Essay topic due NLT 5 Sep 2359 CST
Week 4 (12 Sep – 18 Sep)
Lecture 570/07 and 570/08
Chapter 10 and 11, and any posted reading assignment
*** Multi-disciplinary research paper topic and rough outline due NLT 18 Sep 2359 CST
Week 5 (19 Sep – 25 Sep)
Lecture 570/09
Chapter 12 and any posted reading assignment
Week 6 (26 Sep – 2 Oct)
Lecture 570/10 and 570/11
Chapter 13
Week 7 (3 Oct – 9 Oct)
Lecture 570/12 and 570/13
Any posted reading assignments
Week 8 (10 Oct – 16 Oct)
Lecture 570/14
Chapter 14
Week 9 (17 Oct – 23 Oct)
Lecture 570/15 and 570/16
Chapter 15 thru 20
*** Mid-term exam available Oct 21st, 22nd, and 23rd – Lectures 570/01 – 570/16
Week 10 (24 Oct – 30 Oct)
Lecture 570/17 and 570/18
Chapter 9 and any posted reading assignment
Week 11 (31 Oct – 6 Nov)
Lecture 570/19
Chapter 1 and any posted reading assignment
Week 12 (7 Nov – 13 Nov) – no Chat November 11th
Lecture 570/20
Chapter 2 and any posted reading assignment
*** complete Short Essay due NLT 11 Nov 2359 CST
Week 13 (14 Nov – 20 Nov)
Lecture 570/21
Chapter 1 and any posted reading assignment
Week 14 (21 Nov – 27 Nov) – no Chat November 24th
Lecture 570/22
Chapter 3 and any posted reading assignment
Week 15 (28 Nov – 4 Dec)
Lecture 570/23
Chapter 21 and any posted reading assignment
*** complete Multi-disciplinary research paper due NLT 4 Dec 2359 CST
Week 16 (5 Dec – 11 Dec)
Lecture 570/24
Chapter 22 and any posted reading assignment
*** Final test available on Dec 9th, 10th, and 11th
Grading
Your final numerical grade will be composed of 5 parts, weighted as follows:
Chat discussion - 10%
Midterm - 25%
Final - 25%
Multi-disciplinary research paper (15 – 20 pages) - 30%
Short essay (4-6 pages) - 10%
Letter grades will be assigned to numerical equivalents:
>90% A
80-89% B
70-79% C
60-69% D
<60% F.
Chat discussion will be scored each week for weeks 1-15. Week 16 chat does not count towards the final grade. To receive full credit for chats, students must log-on, respond to questions, and ask questions related to the chat topic. 3 points total are available for each chat:
1 point – logged on to chat session
1 point – responded to questions
1 point – asked a pertinent question
Each student gets 3 free absences … after that, you loose all points for missed chat sessions.
The midterm and final must be taken when scheduled, unless arrangements are made PRIOR to the exam date.
Multi-disciplinary research paper:
Each student will investigate a topic in the field of space communications. Topics must address the interaction between space studies disciplines and not be solely historical, technical, or policy oriented. Topics can include a specific application or service provided thru space communications, a history of space communications systems, or any other approved topic. Examples of topics areas might include: Satellite Radio, Mobile Satellite Services, Fixed Satellite Services, or Broadcast Satellite Services. Proposed topics need to be approved by myself as detailed in the ‘Course Schedule’.
Short Essay: each student will select a Country or Organization, other than the United States, and discuss the space communications systems operated by that country and the regulatory structure/mechanisms/bodies applicable to the systems. Example might be INMARSAT, China, Japan, or Canada.
Late papers and essays will lose 3 percentage points per day late. Papers and essays will be graded on the level and breadth of research performed, organization, and comprehensiveness of topic coverage.