ESPACE - Earth Oriented Space Science and Technology

"Satellite applications such as car navigation systems, weather predictions, Google EarthTM, and tsunami warnings play an important role in our daily lives. All of these things are made possible by satellites. Many more applications not only for science but also for people's daily lives are expected in the future. If you would like to know more about the inner workings of satellites, their orbits, their sensor systems, about data processing, modeling and interpretation, and use this knowledge for a future career, ESPACE is the right Master's program to choose.

Earth observation satellites help us better understand and monitor our environment. Today, researchers within climatology, oceanography, meteorology as well as national agencies and logistics companies are all dependent on up-to-date satellite data. Design, development and data analysis of respective satellite missions require experts with knowledge not only in spacecraft design and orbit mechanics but also in satellite applications, as well as Earth system science, remote sensing and navigation. From an educational point of view, this diversity is a challenge. Classical university programs cover parts of this spectrum in different disciplines. These are aerospace engineering, electronic engineering or geodesy - just to mention a few - yet there is hardly any connection between these parts.Therefore several institutions in and around Munich decided to combine their expertise and set up a graduate program with the aim of educating satellite application engineers.

ESPACE carries out research and education in Earth oriented engineering and natural sciences. Therefore ESPACE addresses students from engineering or science programs such as mechanical, electrical, communication or geodetic engineering, as well as geophysics, physics or mathematics. A solid background in mathematics and physics is necessary as is, of course, an interest in satellites and Earth-related topics.

ESPACE offers a 2-year international Master of Science program.

• The first year of the program covers foundations of space engineering and science as well as an introduction to remote sensing, geo-sciences and navigation.

• The 3rd term allows students to specialize in Earth System Science, Remote Sensing or Navigation.

• The 4th and final term will be devoted to a master's thesis.

The key elements of the ESPACE program:

Remote Sensing: Remote Sensing involves the acquisition and interpretation of measurements from a variety of sensors, e.g., radar, laser, thermal or optical cameras. The specialization Remote Sensing imparts knowledge of sensors and methodologies for data processing and automated retrieval of semantic information.

Space Engineering: Observation from space not only requires knowledge of the Earth, but also of the satellite system. This includes the necessary sensor components as well as spacecraft dynamics and orbit and attitude control. These aspects will be part of the core curriculum (first year) for all students.

Earth System Science: Application of satellite techniques in Earth sciences requires knowledge of geophysical processes, e.g., in the fields of climate, water cycle or geodynamics. A specialization in Earth System Science imparts know-how in the modelling of such complex processes and the corresponding data processing techniques as well as parameter estimation.

Navigation: Accurate positioning is a key for any kind of observation system. This affects both the observed object - be it the surface of the Earth, a house or a moving object like a car and the sensor, e.g., the camera onboard a satellite. The specialization Navigation imparts advanced processing techniques and hardware aspects of precise positioning.

........Vorausetzungen

English Language Proficiency

If you are not a native speaker of the English language, you need either

• a TOEFL score of at least 85 points (internet based) or 220 points (computer based) or 560 points (paper based), or

• an overall IELTS score of 6.0 or better, or • equivalent test results (e.g. Cambridge main suit of English: CAE or CPE).

Deadline:
The application deadline for winter term 2009/10 (starting October 2009) is March 15th

The enrollment date is expected to be in the last week of September or beginning of October. You should be prepared to come to Munich during this period at the latest.