Overview

This unit of study aims to provide you with an introduction and overview of the principles & concepts related to the use of satellites and data produced and an overview of the operational risk inherent for Earth's orbital environment.

Requisites

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
04-August-2025
02-November-2025
Last self-enrolment date
17-August-2025
Census date
31-August-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
19-September-2025
Results released date
09-December-2025

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Demonstrate basic knowledge of theoretical concepts and practical applications related to the use of satellites and the data they produce.
  • Analyse the operational risk inherent in Earth's orbital environment
  • Describe current practices for space operations specific to observation with satellites.
  • Appraise current practices for space operations and provide solutions for real-world issues.

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
On-campus
Class
1.00 12 weeks 12
Online
Learning activities
4.00 12 weeks 48
Unspecified Activities
Independent Learning
7.50 12 weeks 90
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Online DiscussionIndividual 10 - 20% 1,2,3,4 
Online QuizIndividual 20 - 40% 1,2,3 
ReportIndividual 40 - 60% 1,2,3,4 

Content

This unit provides an introduction and overview of Satellite applications used for Global Positioning Systems, Graphical Information Systems, Remote observation and communications. 

Topics covered in this unit include:

  • Images of Earth
  • Space Data Concepts
  • Satellite Applications
  • Earth Observation Applications
  • Space Data Repositories
  • Earth Observation Analysis
  • Earth Observation Analysis in Practice A (Practical Session)
  • Earth Observation Analysis in Practice B (Practical Session)
  • Earth Observation Advanced Concepts
  • Space Situational Awareness
  • Space Debris
  • Future Directions

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.