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The Tracks to Space course is an intensive and interdisciplinary learning path in all space subjects.
The International Space University offers a unique curriculum designed specifically for students and professionals starting or changing direction in their space careers.
Since 1988, ISU exposes participants in its courses and programs to new perspectives on global space activities.
With a multidisciplinary approach, the course transfers know-how and knowledge on all space disciplines.
Introduction
What is ISU?
Evolution of the space sector
The 3I’s
Course overview (learning outcomes)
Where does Space start?
What is the Solar System?
How old is the Solar System?
How did it form?
Meteorites and the early Solar System
Key points to remember
Test
Space systems engineering
How to get to space – orbital mechanics
Space mission eesign
Space environment interaction engineering and design for reliability
Key points to remember
Test
Stellar and planet formation
The high end of the power spectrum
The content of the Universe and what we know we don´t know
Why do we go to space to look at outer space?
Key points to remember
Test
What is remote sensing?
A historical overview
Physical basics and fundamentals
Types of sensors
The concept of resolution
Key points to remember
Test
GNSS general elements
GNSS system description
Performance characteristics – augmentation systems
Implementation of GNSS services
Evolution of the GNSS
Key points to remember
Test
Rationales for doing space
Government and space
What is space policy?
Public actor
Key points to remember
Test
Is there business in Space?
Evolution of the Space Economy
What is NewSpace
Why are space projects expensive?
How to become a space entrepreneur?
Key points to remember
Quiz
Why study the human dimension?
Historical perspectives on space exploration
Space ethics
Diversity and inclusion
Popular culture and collective imaginations
Key points to remember
Quiz
Why crewed missions?
Space is hard on us
Mission medical care
Preventing performance decrements during missions
New risks from new mission designs
Optimizing crew performance in space
Key points to remember
Test
Course wrap-up
Want to learn more about space?
An overview of ISU programs
The impact of ISU
See you next time!
The space sector
The Space Economy
How to measure the Space Economy
Public engagement in space
Private engagement in space
Key points to remember
Test
The changing private context
What is a space company?
What is New Space?
Is New Space changing?
Key points to remember
Test
At the end of the course, you will receive your certificate of completion. Add it to your CV and share it on social media!
With the certificate you will also have access to various benefits to accelerate your career in the space industry.
Entirely OnDemand, the Track to Space course is designed to facilitate your entry into the space industry.
ISU‘s top experts will guide you through a multidisciplinary curriculum, to transfer you the know-how required for your future career as a space professional or entrepreneur.
Each chapter includes a test to measure your new skills.
Together with the award of the certificate, you will have access to very important and concrete benefits that will open a shortcut into the industry.
Once you have completed the course, you will be able to book a videocall with an International Space University expert.
During the call, you will discuss your background and goals to identify the best path for you to enter the space industry through ISU’s network, programs and Master’s degrees, and internships, at preferential conditions, available only to School of Disruption members.
Completion of the Tracks to Space course offers the opportunity to enroll in the International Space University’s Masters, Workshops and in-presence space studies programs at discounted fees and favorable conditions.
Completing the Tracks to Space course gives you access to the School of Disruption and International Space University’s internal network of experts and companies. A unique opportunity to build relationships with players in the space industry.
Gain an in-depth understanding of the various facets of the space sector, including space engineering, applications, exploration, and the science of the space environment. This outcome ensures a robust foundation for professionals seeking to excel in diverse space-related roles.
Develop a keen insight into space policies, laws, and regulations. This learning outcome is designed to equip students with the knowledge to navigate the legal and ethical considerations of space activities, preparing them for leadership roles that require regulatory compliance and strategic planning.
Acquire critical entrepreneurial skills and project management techniques specific to the space industry. This outcome focuses on preparing students to initiate and manage space startups, emphasizing innovation, funding strategies, and effective project leadership.
The Tracks to Space is an officially certified course by the International Space University and the School of Disruption, internationally recognised organisations.
The digital certificate can be shared on your LinkedIn profile experience and associated with the International Space University and the School of Disruption.
Su-Yin Tan
Remote Sensing Expert @ISU
Professor Su-Yin Tan is Dean and VP of Academics and Research at ISU, specializing in Earth Observation and Sustainable Development. She’s also an Associate Professor and Director at the University of Waterloo, Canada, with expertise in remote sensing, satellite navigation, GIS, and spatial data analysis. With a diverse background from Papua New Guinea and Canada, she has held significant academic positions, contributing extensively to earth sciences and space studies.
Virginia Wortring
Human Performance in Space @NASA
Virginia Wotring, PhD, is an esteemed researcher in space physiology and pharmacology, recognized globally. Her work covers medication stability, pharmacokinetics, and personalized medicine using omics techniques. Starting her space research at NASA-contracted positions in Houston, Texas, she later became founding Deputy Director and Chief Scientist at the NASA-funded Translational Research Institute for Space Health. Preferring research over management, she now is a Professor of Human Performance in Space at the International Space University, Strasbourg, France.
Taiwo Tejumola
Professor of Space System Engineering @ISU
Professor Tejumola, born in Lagos, Nigeria, trained in Electrical/Electronics Engineering at Ahmadu Bello University. He earned his Masters and PhD in space systems engineering from Kyutech, Japan, focusing on small satellites for capacity development, integrated space application, plasma science, and policy for developing countries. He was a key engineer in two satellite projects, including a constellation of CubeSats launched in 2017. His work also emphasizes diversity and inclusion in engineering education.
Bertrand Goldam
Research Activities Coordinator @ISU
Bertrand Goldman is an astrophysicist studying the coolest objects in the Solar vicinity. The very low-mass stars and yet cooler objects named brown dwarfs host a complex chemistry in their atmospheres, not unlike those of exoplanets. Their faintness requires Dr. Goldman to use the deepest ground- or space-based sky surveys, and data science to analyze large data sets. He worked at the French Atomic Energy Commission, the European Southern Observatory in Chile, New Mexico State University and NASA Ames in the USA, and the Max-Planck-Institute for Astronomy in Germany before moving to ISU.
Danijela Ignatovic
Professor of Satellite Navigation @ISU
Danijela Ignjatović, geodetic engineer and Ph.D researcher in the field of space applied technologies needed for lunar settlement missions. She worked at Republic Geodetic Authority of Serbia (from 2000-2003) maintaining the cadastre land management. From 2005-2012 she was employed as an engineer surveyor at VINCI and Colas, France. Familiar with International Space University (ISU) since 2012 where currently is working as a lecturer and research associate. Her expertise covers two fields: development of terrestrial and lunar navigation systems and utilization of lunar in-situ soil resources with additive manufacturing technologies.
Nicolas Peter
President and Professor of Practice in Space Policy and International Affairs @ISU
Nicolas Peter, ISU president and Professor of Practice in Space Policy and International Affairs, leads the Space Policy and Entrepreneurship lab. With 20+ years of international space policy experience across 4 continents and 8 countries, he has published over 120 works and co-edited three books on space affairs. He serves on the Editorial Board of the New Space Journal and reviews for Space Policy and Acta Astronautica journals.
Huge Hill
Professor of Astrobiology @ISU
Hugh is an Astrophysicist and Professor of Space Science at ISU’s Strasbourg Central Campus. Always interested in astronomy, he spent eight years working at Armagh Planetarium in N. Ireland before completing graduate studies in Dublin, Cambridge and Paris. Following four years working for the Space Program at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Hugh joined ISU in 2002 where he teaches diverse subjects and undertakes research in Astrobiology, Astrochemistry and all things Space-related.
Walter Peeters
Professor in Space Business and Management @ISU
Professor Peeters joined ISU after a career in ESA, mainly dealing with project management and human spaceflight astronaut activities. After his nomination as Dean of ISU he was elected as President of ISU and is presently President emeritus. He introduced several entrepreneurship oriented activities and workshops and created a space incubator in ISU. His present publications focus mainly on the NewSpace economy.
Jana Fey
Researcher @ISU
Jana Fey is an interdisciplinary researcher with a background in international relations. In 2023, she joined the International Space University in Strasbourg as a Postdoctoral Researcher in Space Policy. Her research interests concern the intersection of politics and science and the transfer of knowledge about outer space. Jana previously taught at the University of Manchester and the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom, and she holds the Higher Education Teaching Fellowship of Advance HE, also from the UK.
Mirella Gil Natividad
Thanks to her commitment and study, Mirella attended courses at the School of Disruption. By participating in our space workshop in Strasbourg, she gained access to ISU’s Master Degree. Today, Mirella is a Consultant to Support Luna Project at ESA.
Ismail El Omari
Motivated by his incredible passion, Ismail is a student at the School of Disruption who has been able to exploit our network and know-how. After participating in our in-person workshop, he successfully founded the Moroccan Association for Space Studies.
My name is Sergio Eduardo Garcia Rangel I work as an architect, I am of Mexican nationality, in my opinion as an introduction I liked the course, I would like to take exams or practices to verify what was explained and practices to apply what was explained and understood and present the results, for me part I will try to find more information and prepare myself more in this field that I really liked greetings
This course was really interesting because it covers all the things you need to know about the subject. Thank you very much to the whole team for this very complete course!
Brilliant. This course was beautifully tailored for space architecture or even space enthusiasts and gives in depth knowledge about space explorative designs and sustainability.
The course instructors are internationally recognised space industry experts and professors from the International Space University. Each presenter has extensive experience in their field, often gained from working with space agencies.
Taking this course offers unparalleled access to comprehensive knowledge across all key disciplines of the space sector, from engineering to policy, ensuring a well-rounded foundation. It connects students with leading experts and industry professionals, facilitating networking opportunities that can open doors to future career paths. The focus on entrepreneurship and management prepares students to not only contribute to existing organizations but also to lead and innovate in New Space ventures.
Of course, once you have finished the course, you can download the International Space University Certification, recognized by the School of Disruption. The certificate can be attached to your CV or registered on LinkedIn.
Feel free to write to support@disruption.school to request any information about this course.
Since 1987, International Space University (ISU) provides high-quality training and education for the next generation of space professionals, industry and agency leaders, and entrepreneurial visionaries.
Our alumni network includes over 5,600 individuals working in diverse capacities to shape the space ecosystem in over 110 countries. We promote international, intercultural, and interdisciplinary cooperation to ensure the peaceful use of outer space — For the benefit of humanity and for a sustainable future on this planet and beyond.
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Entirely OnDemand, the Tracks to Space course is designed to facilitate your entry into the space industry.
ISU‘s top experts will guide you through a multidisciplinary curriculum, to transfer you the know-how required for your future career as a space professional or entrepreneur.
Each chapter includes a test to measure your new skills.
Together with the award of the certificate, you will have access to very important and concrete benefits that will open a shortcut into the industry.
15-19 July 24 | Milano Italy
With Francesco Sisini
Learn the technical and business implications of the new frontier of computing and how you can apply them to enhance your professional future.
The dawn of quantum supremacy
A bit of history
Quantum mechanics Vs Traditional physics
Super computer Vs Quantum computer
Examples of quantum computers
Which types of applications may benefit from quantum computing?
From bits to qubits
The superposition principle
Understanding the Qbit – The Bloch Sfere
Understanding the entanglement
The entanglement in a nutshell
What is a quantum gate?
The not as a quantum gate
Pauli Matrix
The H gate
The CNOT gate
Quantum Gates in a nutshell
Photonic quantum computer
Ion trap quantum computer
Artificial Atom Quantum Computer
Non-cloning theorem
Dense coding
Teleportation
The Deutsh problem
Create and test your first quantum code
The brain as quantum computer
Quantum machine learning and quantum AI
Quantum supremacy
Prospects for quantum computing
First steps in the market
Impact on industries
With Danielle Garofalo, Umberto Ceccarelli, Roberto Garavaglia, Patrick Gudev, Francesco Vincenti, Igor Ciminelli, and Meta Karen
The race to the Metaverse has begun.
Few yet know the real estate opportunities of this new digital world.
In this course you will discover everything you need to know to take your career and your business from the traditional
Metaverse and Construction Industry
Understanding the Metaverse
VR-AR-XR: a brief introduction
Metaverse in Popular Culture
The different shapes of the Metaverse
Web 3.0
What is Metaverse Real Estate?
Implications of Digital Real Estate
Why buy a Metaverse Property
How to buy Metaverse Land Properties
EXTRA: do you remember Second Life?
Becoming (The role of architecture)
Parcel scouting
Architecture & Design (Designing in the Metaverse)
How to buy Metaverse Land Properties
In game coding
CMS
Metaverse networking
Metaverse expansion
Extra services (web dev, store design and asset development)
Welcome
Metaverse 3.0: Blockchain technology and ownership
NFT Worlds – Worlds SDK & Creator Economy – Cubes Utility Token
Use Cases & Examples
How to build. Building Strategies
Teslasuit Haptics
Jobs and Opportunities in the Metaverse
School in the Metaverse
A.I. in the Metaverse – Patrik Gudev
Automotive & Mobility: The Case of partnership with Mole
Blockchain e distributed ledger technologies
Token, smart contract, decentralized timestamp
NFT
Blockchain and metaverse
Decentralized digital identity in the metaverse
NFT in the metaverse
Jobs and opportunities in the Metaverse
School in Metaverse
With Armando Azua-Bustos
Space exploration is the new frontier for human beings, which is generating countless business and job opportunities.
Biotechnology is the solution needed to meet all of the needs of long-term space missions, address the challenges of life in space and on other planets, and ultimately turn science fiction into science fact.
The genetic material
Recombinant DNA technologies
History of biotechnology
Successful cases of microbial, plant and animal biotechnology
The beginnings of rocket science
The first visionaries
The beginnings of the space age
Going to the Moon
The Space shuttle
The International Space Station
The exploration of the Solar System
The future of space exploration
Leaving Earth
The lack of gravity
Space radiations
Atmosphere, water and nutrients
The technical lack of sunlight
Microbiology on space
Space medicine
Plant biotechnology in space
Space applications
The future of biotechnology in space
Challenges to be overcome on the Moon
The future of biotechnology on the Moon
Challenges to be overcome on Mars
The future of biotechnology on Mars
Challenges to be overcome in deep space exploration
Challenges and opportunities for biotechnology beyond Earth
Research opportunities, contacts and funding sources
Brief summary and final considerations
With Onur Yüce Gün
Unleash your design potential. Parametric architecture allows you to create infinite and impossible design solutions using computers and artificial intelligence.
Why Computational Design?
Learning Outcomes
Building Timeless Skills in Computational Design
What is Computational Design & what it is not?
Analytical description of Computational Design
Perceptual description of Computational Design
A Holistic description of Computational Design
Who am I? – My journey
Emergence of Computational Design
Review of design and visualization tools
Why important: Parametric, generative, and algorithmic systems
Hand sketching vs Algorithmic sketching
ML and AI in design
Applications: Academia, Architecture, Product Design, Data Visualization, Animations
What is missing?
The Digital (Binary) Computer: History of Computing
Analytical (scientific) view of the world; Parts and Wholes
Vision and Ambiguity (Human vs Machine Intelligence)
Visual Computation: Shape Grammars
Geometry – Triangles
Geometry – Platonic Solids
Geometry – Freeform modeling
Algorithmic Thinking
Procedural Thinking
Precision
Creativity
Parametric Design Foundations
Parametric Design Hands-On
Data as a design driver (D2D paper)
Predictive Modeling
Implicit Modeling
CNC – Synthetic Natures
3D Printing and DfAM Design for Additive Manufacturing
Prototyping vs Industrial scale applications
Applications in practice
Researching in academia
Creating Measurable Impact (Trends vs Meanings)
Future of Computational Design
Machine Learning Applications
Designer’s shifting role
Formal Degrees
Self-teaching
Talking it to the field
Can quality be computed?
With Alessandro Tassinari
Today, 3D printing is one of the fastest growing construction technologies, which opens new and exciting career opportunities for those determined to shape a better tomorrow
Your journey starts here
What is Construction 3D Printing?
Construction 3D Printing vs. Traditional Building Construction
History of 3D Printing in costruction industry
The Lack of technology adoption in Construction Industry
Manufacturing Evolution
Inside the Technology
Kenyas first 3D printed housen
FIBONACCI 3D printed house in Canada
3D Printing applied to construction
Digital Fabrication through Robotic Arm
Components of a concrete 3D printing system
Building strategies
Intro
Gantry 3D Printers
Delta 3D Printers
Robotic Arm 3D Printers
Crawler Boom 3D Printers
Polar 3D Printers
Powder 3D Printers
Recap
Intro
Concrete
Clay 3D printing
Metal
Fiber reinforced materials and polymers
Building with in situ materials
Economic implication
Marketing Opportunities
A new way to design for architects, designers and engineers
Technological evolution
Turning threats into opportunities
Building in Space
How to start the business
With Igor Ciminelli
Learn the business strategy of the world’s greatest innovators. Identify new growth domains, create your own innovative product, and disrupt your market.
Welcome & Agenda
The theory in short
Disruption’s 3 key-points
Assess the market potential
The Law of Diffusion of Innovation
Start with Why Ted X
Innovation design process
Ideas and adoption
The Disruptive Innovation Theory
Industries Transformation
Building Blocks
The Innovator’s Dilemma
The Kodak case in short
Key points
How to be a disruptor – Harvard Business School Tribute
What is your market?
Not from you and not even from your competitors
It’s a matter of criteria
Non-consumers
Overshot customers
The evolution of performance criteria
How to conquer the market by worsening your products: the low-end disruption
Determine your growth domain
Jobs to-be-done strategy
Rating the jobs
Characteristics of innovation
How good managers condemn companies: the silent collapse
Principles of disruptive development
3-step strategy
7 successful business models examples
Advices and tools
The disrupt-o-meter
The competition
References and must-read
With Barbara Imhof & René Waclavicek
Life in space is getting closer every day. This course will give you the skills you need to become a designer of space environments, both for spaceships and homes.
Your journey starts here
What is Space Architecture?
The Multidisciplinary Approach of Space Architecture
Past and Present of Space Architecture
Design Framework
Habitability Aspects
ISS Life Support Systems
Habitability Special Requirements
Architectural Aspects and Workflow
Architectural Functions of Life in Space
How everything comes together
ISS Introduction
Modular System Paradigms
ISS Modular Structure
ISS Crew System
Luna Gateway
Gateway Configuration Concept
Settlements, Strategies and Objectives
The journey into Space
Planetary Outpost Elements Configuration
Common Archetype for Habitats on Planetary Surfaces
Mobility
Greenhouse
Getting There
Lunar Environment and Resources
Lunar Settlements and in-situ Materials
Building Strategies
Building with in-situ Materials
Getting There
Martian Environment and Resources
Settlements and in-situ Materials
Building Strategies
Closed-Loop Life Support Systems
Why we need to simulate missions?
Gravity
Habitation Simulations
Fidelity of Simulators and Simulations
Design and Habitability
Similarities of Space and Terrestrial Extremes
Recycling, Resilience, and Closed-Loop Systems
Examples of Spin-offs from Space to Earth
City as a Spaceship
Becoming a Space Architect
Space Architecture Pioneers and their Design NEW
Biotechnology for Space Habitats NEW
From the first flights to the settlements on Mars – Materials & Technologies NEW
Space Mining NEW
Making Staff in Space NEW
Analogue Testing in Antartica NEW
Human Performances in Space NEW
Space design for terrestrial living spaces NEW