Half way through Week 4

This is the last week of lectures and students are starting to study for the exam next Monday. This past Monday we learned about digital image processing, origins and principles of space law, and space telecommunication fundamentals. After lunch we had our first Department Activity. There are 7 departments: Space Policy and Law, Space Business and Management, Space and Society, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Space Systems Engineering, and Satellite Applications. I am in Policy and Law. Should be interesting and I expect to learn a lot since I don't know much about the subject!

For Department Activity 1, Christian Brunner from Austria, Henry Hertzfeld from the US, and Alexandra Seneta from Australia gave us a department overview. At the end of class we had an organized debate about whether the 5 space treaties of the United Nations should be re-written or kept as-is. This is my first exposure to the 5 space treaties, and I have a feeling I will know them inside-and-out by the end.

1. Outer Space Treaty of 1967
2. Rescue and Return of Astronauts, 1968
3. Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects, 1972
4. Registration of Objects Launched into Space, 1976
5. Moon Treaty of 1984

Tuesday our 3 morning lectures were focused on various aspects of satellites: Space Telecommunication Systems and Applications, Satellite Communication Regulation, and Satellite Telecommunication Industry. Then we had Department Activity 2. We will have 12 of these in total. For DA2, Henry discussed the intricacies of the Moon Treaty. He explained why China, India, Russia and the US have not signed it. Then our daily debate was about property rights on the moon after creation of a lunar base. The scenario said that it is 2035 and NASA has set up a lunar base at the south pole to produce potable water and oxygen from polar ice. They are also experimenting with producing rocket fuel at the base. To reduce costs, NASA decided to open its moon facilities to commercial companies. The private companies can use the facility for a small fee. NASA will purchase propellant, nuclear power supply, and telecommunication capabilities from the private companies. Our task was to discuss and debate the relevant issues. We all had roles: 2 NASA lawyers, 2 technical advisers, 2 diplomats from developed countries, 3 diplomats from developing countries. So interesting! We always leave class full of questions. The classes are designed to stimulate thought and expose us to new ideas and concerns from people on the other side of the issues.

Our department project will be a space policy position paper. The topic is wide open. I am leaning towards something about commercialization of space and probably focused on the US. But I am open to suggestions if you have any! Papers are due August 19 and we will also be working on the Team Project and taking the exam before that. It's getting hectic!

I have also enjoyed talking to other departments about their projects. Systems Engineering is designing and launching rockets, Life Sciences put a person in a centrifuge at a local medical school, Physical Sciences froze various items in liquid nitrogen, and Business Management will be answering an RFP (request for proposal) and presenting to Bob Richards!

Tuesday night ended with 2 hours of karaoke. I had no idea how universal certain songs are - such as "Hey Jude" and "Bohemian Rhapsody." People from Italy, Poland, UK, Ireland, US, Canada, Estonia, and Nigeria were all singing along.

Wednesday morning we had classes on the life cycle of stars, the heart in space, and geo-political and legal issues of spacecraft launches. We only have 6 lectures to go and then we have the whole weekend free to study for the exam on Monday. This afternoon we will be working in our Team Project groups. Our group is working on the outline for the letter of intent as well as team organizational structure. Making all decisions by committee (of 40) really makes us appreciate structure and *gasp* yes, even hierarchy!