Space Station Design and Operations

Course Summary

This course addresses the emerging landscape of commercial space stations, highlighting key players and technological advancements. Participants will begin with an overview of the history and evolution of orbiting laboratories and space stations, transitioning from government-led projects, such as ISS, to contemporary and future commercial initiatives. Discussions include detailed case studies of major commercial projects such as Orbital Reef, Axiom Space, and China's Tiangong space station. Unique designs, operational goals, and current progress status will be discussed. Lectures will address all important systems and subsystems such as life support, power management, and structural design. Participants will gain a well-rounded understanding of current activities and future objectives of commercial space stations.

Course Materials

Each attendee will receive a soft copy of the presentation and reference materials as well as individual Certificates of Completion.

Who Should Attend

• Space industry professionals, policymakers, investors, business leaders
• Satellite operators and program managers
• Space mission designers and operations managers
• Industrial and academic researchers
• Space scientists and technologists
• Space entrepreneurs and consultants
• Technologists involved in developing future space applications

What You Will Learn

This course covers the history and evolution of space stations, highlighting the transition from government to commercial ventures. You will explore technical aspects such as life support systems, structural design, and power management, and understand the scientific research capabilities of each space station. You will learn about various docking vehicles like Soyuz/Progress, SpaceX’s Dragon, Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser, Shenzhou, and Tianzhou, and their operational impact. Business and management topics include economic models, funding, and partnerships. Regulatory frameworks and opportunities for international collaboration will also be discussed. Interactive sessions will help you apply your knowledge practically.

Course Outline

1. History and Evolution of Space Stations: Understand the development from early space stations like Skylab and Mir to the current International Space Station (ISS) and future commercial stations.
2. Technical Aspects of Space Station Design: Learn about life support systems, structural design, power management, and other critical engineering challenges and solutions involved in building and maintaining space stations (eg. ISS).
3. Scientific Research Capabilities: Explore the various scientific research areas supported by space stations, including microgravity experiments, biotechnology, materials science, and space medicine.
4. Business and Management in Space: Understand the economic models, funding mechanisms, and strategic partnerships that drive the commercialization of space stations.
5. Docking Vehicles and Logistics: Study the various spacecraft used for docking, resupply, and crew transport, such as Blue Origin’s New Glenn, Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser, SpaceX’s Dragon, Shenzhou, and Tianzhou, and their impact on station operations. Prospective Lunar Gateway space station.
6. Regulatory Frameworks and Policies: Review the international regulations, policies, and frameworks governing space activities, including the roles of agencies like NASA, Roscosmos, ESA, CNSA, and JAXA.
7. International Collaboration and Partnerships: Discover opportunities for global partnerships, the role of international collaboration in space exploration, and how different countries contribute to commercial space projects.
8. Interactive Workshops and Case Studies: Engage in hands-on workshops and analyze case studies (CST-100 helium leak, micrometeorite impacts on the ISS, propulsion module leaks, pressure leak, docking anomalies) to apply your knowledge practically, collaborating with peers to design and plan space station projects.

Instructor

DR. PEDRO J. LLANOS

Dr. Pedro Llanos is an associate professor in Space Operations at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU). Over the past decade, he has mentored undergraduate and graduate students from diverse backgrounds, including Space Operations, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Physics. Dr. Llanos has taught over twelve courses in Space Operations and Astronautical Engineering. His research has focused extensively on space mission design, navigation, and orbit determination. He has also developed software related to the flight dynamics of the James Webb Space Telescope. Dr. Llanos has been actively involved in the design, development, testing, and launch of payloads on various orbiting platforms. His industrial experience has involved research related to aerobatic flights and hypobaric environments. Dr. Llanos holds Ph.D. and M.S. degrees in Astronautical Engineering from the University of Southern California and an M.S. in Physics (Astrophysics) from the University of Oklahoma. He has authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications and conference papers in astronautics and microgravity research.