SpaceMaster: Master in Space Science and Technology As an International Interdisciplinary Educational Effort

Klaus Schilling

Abstract: Aerospace engineers are very demanded, as there are only small numbers of well-trained specialists in this field available. In response, 2005 the international curriculum “SpaceMaster” was established in the European elite-program “Erasmus Mundus” to train talented young people in the challenging subject of space science and technology. Here six European universities cooperate and contribute their special expertise to this interdisciplinary curriculum. In particular system design techniques are emphasized, which are of interest for a broad spectrum of industrial applications extending well beyond aerospace. Emphasis is placed on realization aspects in practicals, including especially contributions to the University Würzburg's pico-satellite program in the framework of thesis work. So far the two satellites UWE-1 and -2 have been successfully placed in orbit, but a roadmap towards formation flying offers long-term perspectives for future UWE missions. In this contribution the international university cooperation, the curriculum and the specific aspects of pico-satellite realizations are addressed, in particular with respect to attitude determination/control aspects.