FYS4655 – Space Instruments

This course gives an introduction to space instrumentation for measurements of space environment by sounding rocket and satellites. It introduces rocket and spacecraft operations, their orbits, and examples of successful missions.

It provides basics of the plasma physics in the context of the near Earth space, and the principles of the work and design of instruments in space, including plasma density and electromagnetic field sensors. It also introduces examples of data obtained by different sensors.

The course consists of lectures and a project work, which includes analysis and interpretation of data collected from spacecraft or space plasma laboratory simulator.

After completing the course, students will:

• have knowledge on the principles of basic space plasma instruments, including Langmuir probes, electric field instruments, and mangetometers.
• be able to interpret data from the space based instruments on satellites and sounding rockets.
• understand the basics of orbital mechanics for satellites and sounding rockets.
• be familiar with the major missions for understanding of the near Earth space environment

Students admitted at UiO must apply for courses in Studentweb. Students enrolled in other master's degree programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.

Nordic citizens and applicants residing in the Nordic countries may apply to take this course as a single course student.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.

• FYS3600 – Space Physics and Technology
• FYS1100 – Mechanics and Modelling
• FYS1120 – Electromagnetism
• MAT1100 – Calculus

• a series of lectures in the first half of the semester

A project work on data analysis from spacecraft / laboratory simulator must be approved before you can sit for the final exam.

Regulations for mandatory activities can be found here.

• Final written exam which counts 100 % towards the final grade.

This course has mandatory exercises that must be approved before you can sit the final exam.

It will also be counted as one of the three attempts to sit the exam for this course if you sit the exam for the following course: FYS3655 – Space Instruments

Students who can document a valid reason for absence from the regular examination are offered a postponed exam at the beginning of the next semester.

New examinations are offered at the beginning of the next semester for students who do not successfully complete the exam during the previous semester.

We do not offer a re-scheduled exam for students who withdraw during the exam.