Course overview
The aim of the Off-Earth Construction course is to familiarise students with the various environments and subsequent challenges for engineers to design systems, materials, and methodologies to build, inspect, and maintain infrastructure off-planet. Driven by real-world events that will soon see humans returning to the Moon and the construction of several lunar bases by multiple nations, in addition to other companies and nations with demonstrated intent to settle Mars and/or construct large space habitats, this course puts into practical terms much of the previous coursework to understand how to actually facilitate the construction of off-Earth infrastructure (landing pads, roads, berms, foundations, etc).
Course learning outcomes
- Discuss current space construction plans and requirements
- Demonstrate a specialist understanding of the various near-term deep space environments
- Summarise what in-situ resources are, abundances, and potential uses in construction
- Design a construction pathway for a self-selected off-Earth infrastructure element
- Demonstrate proficiency in practical lab skills relevant to working with off-Earth regolith simulants
- Explain the infrastructure requirements of both crewed and uncrewed off-Earth facilities
Degree list
The following degrees include this course