Space Resource Fundamentals

Become the expert in your school, business, or government organisation. This exciting new field is critical to unlocking the next wave of human exploration of the solar system: space resource utilisation.

Space Resource Fundamentals is a five-day interdisciplinary course providing an in-depth understanding of the nascent space resource field and examining its critical necessity in enabling a long-term human presence in deep space.

This intensive course includes the key legal environment aspects of space resources and the various destinations, specific resources, proposed methodologies and benefits of utilising resources found off-world.

Participants will gain a new understanding of the complex realities that shape this critical enabling capability upon which crewed space exploration is reliant and be able to knowledgeably guide your company or organisation regarding potential areas of interest.

Course scholarships now available!
The Andy Thomas Centre for Space Resources is pleased to offer a number of scholarships for this year’s Space Resource Fundamentals course being held in-person and online from 9 – 13 October 2023.

To qualify, you must be employed by and/or work with a South Australian-based company with an interest in the space sector, particularly sustainable deep space exploration and long-term human habitation. Applicants close 5 October, 2023 so if you are interested, please contact atscr@adelaide.edu.au for more information.

  • What is covered in the course?

    The following topics will be covered during the course:

    • Launch and Rocket Equations
    • Orbital Mechanics
    • Space agriculture
    • In-space transportation architecture
    • Space resources of interest and locations
    • Space construction
    • Deep space psychology
    • Applications enabled by space resource use
    • Mining techniques in multiple environments
    • Space law
    • Business case study
    • Solar System Destinations:
      • Moon
      • Mars
      • Asteroids
      • Outer solar system

  • Who is this course for?

    Space Resource Fundamentals is the first offering of its kind in Australia.

    This interdisciplinary short course is designed for working professionals and advanced students hailing from diverse sectors such as law, business, the resource industry, government, or the engineering and science fields.

    While topics such as orbital mechanics and geology are necessarily covered to facilitate understanding regarding business case and operations realities, specialist backgrounds in science, engineering, or geology are not required for successful completion.

  • Course outcomes

    On completing the course, you will be able to speak knowledgeably regarding the topic of 'Space Resources' gaining key insights into:

    • What are space resources?
    • What resources are available at select solar system locations?
    • Why are space resources important and what is their projected use?
    • The challenges to space exploration posed by the realities of launch and orbital mechanics
    • Methodologies being developed to access resources in both gravity and micro-gravity environments
    • Specifics concerning likely destinations (the Moon, Mars, Asteroids, and outer solar system)
    • Key activities enabled by in-situ space resource utilisation
    • Space resource use and its impact on human exploration of the solar system
    • Legal and business matters related to space resources exploration and commercial supply.

  • Course delivery

    The course will be delivered over 5 days with a simultaneous classroom and online delivery.

    This course will be delivered by a team of experts from the space resource research, operations, and industry segments as represented by:

    • Professor Charles Elachi, CalTech, Former JPL Director 2001-2016
    • Professor Hirdy Miyamoto, University of Tokyo
    • Prof Melissa de Zwart, Flinders University
    • Prof Angel Abbud-Madrid, Director of the Center for Space Resources at the Colorado School of Mines
    • Prof Matt Gilliham, Director, ARC Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space
    • Adjunct A/Prof Paddy Neumann, Chief Scientist Neumann Space
    • Dr. Carlos Espejel, Chief Lunar Mining Engineer ispace
    • Mr. Mark Sonter, co-founder Deep Space Industries, Asteroid Enterprises, Off-Earth Resources
    • Mr Sam Ximenes, Astroport Space Technologies
    • Mr Kirby Ikin, Asia Pacific Aerospace Consultants
    • Prof Deborah Turnbull, University of Adelaide Chair of Psychology
    • Prof Scott Smith, University of Adelaide, Architecture and Civil Engineering
    • Prof Tat-Jun Chin, Australian Institute for Machine Learning
    • A/Prof Rini Akmeliawati, University of Adelaide Electrical and Mechanical Engineering
    • Dr Lucy McGee, School of Physics, Chemistry and Earth Sciences
    • Dr Amit Srivastava, University of Adelaide Architecture
    • Professor Volker Hessel, Research Director ATCSR
    • A/Prof John Culton, University of Adelaide, Director ATCSR

  • AQF Equivalence, Articulation Pathways CPD Points and Certification
    • Participants will receive a soft copy University of Adelaide Certificate of Completion.
    • This PACE course may contribute to earning Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points or credit. Many professional associations accredit CPD at a standard rate of 1 hour of professional development / learning = 1 CPD point. This should be used as a guide only and confirmation should be sought from your accrediting body prior to registration in any PACE course or program.

Need customised training for your organisation?

Contact our team to discuss customising this course to meet your needs.

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