Space Industry Research Project
Overview
In this unit, students will collaborate in teams with a space technology industry partner. They will follow a client-centered approach to create a tailored solution for their client's needs. The project concludes with an industry showcase event, where students will orally present their solution to a panel of industry experts.
Requisites
AER20003 Design and Entrepreneurship for the Space Industry
Rules
Pre-requisite
AER30001 Space Innovation Research Challenge
OR
AER20003 Design and Entrepreneurship for the Space Industry
02-November-2025
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Solve a complex problem by formulating a research question, appraising current literature and developments, and applying research principles and methods to design an innovative space related technology application
- Demonstrate effective professional written and oral communication to a variety of audiences through proposals, reports, documentation and presentations
- Apply problem-solving methodologies to generate, evaluate and justify innovative solutions
- Use project management processes and tools, and self-management skills, to plan and manage project work
- Reflect on space technology research practice and its impact on the project, including safety, ethical, legal, social, cultural and sustainability considerations, along with standards and codes of practice
- Demonstrate professionalism, integrity, ethical conduct and professional accountability in all aspects of project work, including teamwork, dealing with stakeholders and demonstrating a professional image
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live Online Lecture | 1.00 | 12 weeks | 12 |
| On-campus Workshop | 6.00 | 12 weeks | 72 |
| Unspecified Activities Independent Learning | 18.00 | 12 weeks | 216 |
| TOTAL | 300 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio | Individual | 30 - 50% | 1,2,3,4,5,6 |
| Portfolio | Group | 50 - 70% | 1,2,3,4,6 |
Content
This unit provides students with an opportunity to work in a team with an academic supervisor and a space industry client. Client research briefs are aligned with the Australian Space Agency Civil space priority areas:
- Medicine and life sciences
- Position, navigation and timing
- Earth observation
- Communication technologies and services
- Space situational awareness and debris monitoring
- Leapfrog R&D
- Robotics and automation on Earth
- Space and access to space
During their project students will also learn:
- Space technology research (innovation and advancement, collaboration and partnership, safety and reliability, scientific exploration and discovery, sustainability and environmental considerations, risk management, technology transfer and spin-offs)
- Project management (planning, scope, time, cost, risk, stakeholders, project monitoring and closure)
- Team management (formation, roles, responsibilities, effective communication, conflict management, motivation, personalities and diversity, performance evaluation)
- Agile development (interactive, collaborative, adaptive, user-centric, iterative and empowered)
- Technical documentation and record keeping skill
- Graduate Attribute – Communication Skills: Verbal communication
- Graduate Attribute – Teamwork Skills: Collaboration and negotiation
- Graduate Attribute – Teamwork Skills: teamwork roles and processes
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.