Course Schedule
These courses are tentatively scheduled to be offered, and are subject to low-enrollment cancellation. To see the course descriptions, refer to the course listing. Note that SPST 504, 591, 593, 996, 997, and 998 are available every semester and require the instructor's approval prior to registration.
Selecting Campus or Online section of a course:
- In Campus Connection, find the desired course
- By clicking on either section that is highlighted in blue, the class details will provide the information indicating an online course
- The location code lists either "GrandForks" for campus sections or "University of North Dakota" for online sections
Last Updated 10.01.2024
Fall 2024
Offered: Campus (22327), Online (22332)
Instructor: Pablo de León
SPST 506. Advanced Orbital Mechanics. 3 Credits.
This course provides a working knowledge of the field of orbital mechanics including the use of appropriate mathematical and computational techniques, the analysis of professional papers in orbital mechanics, and applying the appropriate techniques to solve orbital mechanics problems. Topics covered include orbital elements, perturbations, coordinate systems, orbit determination, and multi-body gravitational problems. Prerequisite: SPST 500 and MATH 266 or equivalent or Instructor consent. S.
Offered: Campus (28020), Online (28021)
Area (Sub-Discipline): Technical (Space Engineering)
Instructor: Ron Fevig
SPST 515. Human Factors in Space. 3 Credits.
This course is a review of the major stresses experienced by humans on entering the space environment. The course objectives include investigation of the psychological and physiological effects experienced by U.S. and Russian space crews, with an emphasis on longer flights. The examination of the avoidance and mitigation of these stresses is an essential need in the future development of human spaceflight. On demand.
Offered: Campus (33845), Online (33846)
Area (Sub-Discipline): Technical (Human Factors OR Applications)
Instructor: Travis Nelson
SPST 555. Military Space Programs. 3 Credits.
An introduction to military uses of space by the United States, Russia, and other nations. The course introduces ballistic missiles, anti-ballistic missile and anti-satellite systems, space-based reconnaissance and intelligence-gathering, communications, navigation, acquisition, and military space treaties. On demand.
Offered: Campus (33843), Online (33847)
Area (Sub-Discipline): Social (History OR International Relations OR Policy)
Instructor: David Kugler
SPST 560. Space Politics and Policy. 3 Credits.
This course serves as a graduate-level introduction to the field of Public Policy as applied to Space Policy. The course surveys the evolution of Space Policy at several levels of analysis including context, political actors and institutions, political processes, and policy outcomes, and assesses the symbiotic relationship between policy, technology, and science. On demand.
Offered: Campus (33842), Online (33866)
Area (Sub-Discipline): Social (History OR Policy)
Instructor: Michael Dodge
Required Textbooks:
- John F. Kennedy and the Race to the Moon by John M. Logsdon, 2010. Edition Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN: 978-1-137-34649-0
- ...The Heavens and the Earth: A Political History of the Space Age by Walter A. McDougall, 1997 Johns Hopkins Paperback Edition. ISBN: 0-8018-5748-1
SPST 562. Soviet/Russian Space Program. 3 Credits.
At the dawn of a new space age, it seems important and useful to study the historical evolution of the Soviet/Russian space program, its significant role as a space power, and its impact on the world order. The Soviet Union, and then Russia have played a noteworthy and very unique role in the history of the space age. This course is an introduction to the Soviet/Russian Space Program from the early days of space exploration in the former Soviet Union to the current Russian space activities led by Roscosmos, the Russian space agency. F, even years.
Offered: Campus (28022), Online (28023)
Area (Sub-Discipline): Social (International Relations)
Instructor: Francisco Del Canto Viterale
SPST 570. Advanced Topics in Space Studies. 1-3 Credits.
Lecture, discussion and readings on advanced topics of current interest. May be repeated if the topic is different. Repeatable.
This course is a graduate-level introduction to the myriad aspects of governance in space. The course will examine contemporary space activities, which are held together via a patchwork of law, policy, and international relations, each of which has been heavily influenced by historical events. Authorization of space activities, systems of control, and governance structures for current and future human activities in space will be explored. Domestic and international aspirations for settlements on space stations, the Moon, Mars, and other celestial objects will be analyzed with reference to influential factors, such as geopolitics, diplomatic relations between States, military activity, and the international treaty structure.
Offered: Campus (570-07; 33881), Online (570-06; 33882)
Area (Sub-Discipline): Social (History OR International Relations OR Policy)
Instructors: Francisco Del Canto Viterale, Michael Dodge, & David Kugler
SPST 570. Advanced Topics in Space Studies. 1-3 Credits.
Lecture, discussion and readings on advanced topics of current interest. May be repeated if the topic is different. Repeatable.
This course is designed to explore the application of nuclear reactors to rocket propulsion in their two main versions: nuclear thermal (NTP) and nuclear electric (NEP) propulsion. The proposed schedule is divided into three blocks: the physics of nuclear propulsion, where an introduction to fission as well as fission will be given; the application to rocket propulsion; and an analysis of historical achievements in the field.
Offered: Campus (570-03; 22670), Online (570-09; 34030)
Area (Sub-Discipline): Technical (Space Engineering)
Instructor: Marcos Fernández Tous
Required Textbook:
- Principles of nuclear rocket propulsion. William J. Emrich Jr. Second edition. B H.
SPST 570. Advanced Topics in Space Studies. 1-3 Credits.
Lecture, discussion and readings on advanced topics of current interest. May be repeated if the topic is different. Repeatable.
Offered: Campus (570-01; 28018), Online (570-02; 28019)
Area (Sub-Discipline): Technical (Human Factors OR Applications)
Instructor: Keith Crisman
Spring 2025
| Number | Title | Instructor | Area (Sub-Discipline) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 425 | Observational Astronomy | Sherry Fieber-Beyer | Technical (Applications) |
| 500 | Introduction to Orbital Mechanics | Ron Fevig | Technical (Space Engineering) |
| 502 | Survey of Space Studies II | Pablo de León | |
| 509 | Space Propulsion Systems | Marcos Fernández Tous | Technical (Space Engineering) |
| 511 | Electric Space Propulsion | Marcos Fernández Tous | Technical (Space Engineering) |
| 512 | Human Performance in Extreme Environments | Pablo de León | Technical (Human Factors) |
| 520 | Asteroids, Meteorites and Comets | Sherry Fieber-Beyer | Technical (Planetary Science) |
| 530 | Human Centered Design | Keith Crisman | Technical (Space Engineering OR Human Factors) |
| 540 | Space Economics and Commerce | Francisco Del Canto Viterale | Social (Management) |
| 547 | The Space Age & Popular Culture | Michael Dodge | Social (History) |
| 557 | Space Power Theory | David Kugler | Social (Policy) |
| 565 | Space Law | Michael Dodge | Social (Law) |
| 570 | Space Domain Awareness | David Kugler | Social (Policy) |
| 590 | Space Studies Colloquium | Keith Crisman | |
| 595 | Space Studies Capstone | Ron Fevig |
Summer 2025
| Number | Title | Instructor | Area (Sub-Discipline) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 527 | Extraterrestrial Resources | Sherry Fieber-Beyer | Technical (Planetary Science) |
| 552 | History of Astronomy & Cosmology | Michael Dodge | Social (History) |
| 556 | Geopolitics of Outer Space | Francisco Del Canto Viterale | Social (International Relations) |
Fall 2025
| Number | Title | Instructor | Area (Sub-Discipline) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 450 | International Space Programs | Francisco Del Canto Viterale | Social (History OR Policy) |
| 501 | Survey of Space Studies I | Pablo de León | |
| 506 | Advanced Orbital Mechanics | Ron Fevig | Technical (Space Engineering) |
| 510 | Hypersonic Aerodynamics | Marcos Fernández Tous | Technical (Space Engineering) |
| 515 | Human Factors in Space | Pablo de León | Technical (Human Factors OR Applications) |
| 526 | Advanced Observational Astronomy | Sherry Fieber-Beyer | Technical (Applications OR Planetary Science) |
| 532 | Disasters in Human Spaceflight | Keith Crisman | Technical (Space Engineering OR Human Factors) |
| 541 | Management of Space Enterprises | David Kugler | Social (Management) |
| 545 | Space and the Environment | Michael Dodge | Social (Policy OR Law) |
| 563 | China's Space Program | Francisco Del Canto Viterale | Social (International Relations) |
| 575 | Remote Sensing Law and Policy | Michael Dodge | Social (Policy OR Law) |
Spring 2026
| Number | Title | Instructor | Area (Sub-Discipline) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 405 | Space Mission Design | Ron Fevig | Technical (Space Engineering) |
| 425 | Observational Astronomy | Sherry Fieber-Beyer | Technical (Applications) |
| 460 | Life in the Universe | Sherry Fieber-Beyer | Technical (Planetary Science) |
| 502 | Survey of Space Studies II | Pablo de León | |
| 512 | Human Performance in Extreme Environments | Pablo de León | Technical (Human Factors) |
| 531 | Applied Human Centered Design | Keith Crisman | Technical (Human Factors) |
| 553 | Space Diplomacy & Cooperation | Francisco Del Canto Viterale | Social (International Relations) |
| 557 | Space Propulsion Systems | Marcos Fernández Tous | Technical (Space Engineering) |
| 561 | Risk Management of Space Organizations | David Kugler | Social (Management) |
| 565 | Space Law | Michael Dodge | Social (Law OR International Relations) |
| 590 | Space Studies Colloquium | Keith Crisman | |
| 595 | Space Studies Capstone | Ron Fevig |
Summer 2026
| Number | Title | Instructor | Area (Sub-Discipline) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 521 | The Planet Mars | Sherry Fieber-Beyer | Technical (Planetary Science) |
| 542 | Risk Management of Space Organizations | David Kugler | Social (Management) |
| 551 | History of the Space Age | Francisco Del Canto Viterale | Social (History) |
Fall 2026
| Number | Title | Instructor | Area (Sub-Discipline) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 501 | Survey of Space Studies I | Pablo de León | |
| 513 | Nuclear Space Propulsion | Marcos Fernández Tous | Technical (Space Engineering) |
| 515 | Human Factors in Space | Pablo de León | Technical (Human Factors OR Applications) |
| 526 | Advanced Observational Astronomy | Sherry Fieber-Beyer | Technical (Applications OR Planetary Science) |
| 533 (570) | Space Architecture: Sci-Fi to Reality | Keith Crisman | Technical (Human Factors) |
| 547 | Popular Culture and the Space Age | Michael Dodge | Social (History) |
| 555 | Military Space Programs | David Kugler | Social (International Relations) |
| 560 | Space Politics and Policy | Michael Dodge | Social (History OR Policy) |
| 562 | Soviet/Russian Space Program | Francisco Del Canto Viterale | Social (International Relations) |
Spring 2027
| Number | Title | Instructor | Area (Sub-Discipline) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 425 | Observational Astronomy | Sherry Fieber-Beyer | Technical (Applications) |
| 450 | International Space Programs | Francisco Del Canto Viterale | Social (International Relations) |
| 502 | Survey of Space Studies II | Pablo de León | |
| 511 | Electric Space Propulsion | Marcos Fernández Tous | Technical (Space Engineering) |
| 512 | Human Performance in Extreme Environments | Pablo de León | Technical (Human Factors) |
| 520 | Asteroids, Meteorites and Comets | Sherry Fieber-Beyer | Technical (Planetary Science) |
| 530 | Human Centered Design | Keith Crisman | Technical (Space Engineering OR Human Factors) |
| 557 | Spacepower Theory | David Kugler | Social (Policy) |
| 565 | Space Law | Michael Dodge | Social (Law OR International Relations) |
| 570 | China's Space Program | Francisco Del Canto Viterale | Social (International Relations) |
| 590 | Space Studies Colloquium | Keith Crisman | |
| 595 | Space Studies Capstone | Ron Fevig |