Space Situational Awareness and Planetary Defense
Safeguard our planet’s future in space! Learn how modern science and engineering cope with threats from space debris and near-Earth objects.
This course offers an in-depth and future-oriented study of Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and Planetary Defense, bringing together advanced engineering principles, analytical methodologies, and strategic policy insight. You will explore how humanity observes, characterizes, and predicts the motion of space debris and near-Earth objects, using modern methods and cutting-edge technologies.
You will investigate mitigation strategies from both engineering and strategic views, including active debris removal, collision avoidance planning, and asteroid deflection concepts. At the same time, you will engage with the legal frameworks, international coordination, and ethical responsibilities that shape global decision-making in space safety and planetary protection.
Whether you see yourself working in space operations, mission design, research, or international policy, this course gives you the knowledge and perspective to make a real impact. You will gain the interdisciplinary skills needed to help protect Earth and contribute to a safer, more sustainable future for human activities in space.
You will investigate mitigation strategies from both engineering and strategic views, including active debris removal, collision avoidance planning, and asteroid deflection concepts. At the same time, you will engage with the legal frameworks, international coordination, and ethical responsibilities that shape global decision-making in space safety and planetary protection.
Whether you see yourself working in space operations, mission design, research, or international policy, this course gives you the knowledge and perspective to make a real impact. You will gain the interdisciplinary skills needed to help protect Earth and contribute to a safer, more sustainable future for human activities in space.
For Programme students
LTU-27042
Open for application!
Apply to Space Situational Awareness and Planetary Defense
Period 2 - 2, v. 45 2026 - v. 2 2027, no module, KirunaNormal teachingDay-time 50%Autumn 2026
Period:Period 2 - 2, v. 45 2026 - v. 2 2027, no module
Location:Kiruna
Form of study:Day-time 50%
Language:English
Tuition fees:Information for non-EU/EEA students
Application code:LTU-27042
Last day for application:2026-04-15
Entry requirements:At least 90 ECTS of completed courses and basic knowledge in linear algebra, calculus, and ordinary and partial differential equations e.g
M0055M Functions of Several Variables, 7,5 ECTS or equivalent.
The students should also have a good background in orbital dynamics, corresponding to e.g.
R7025R Orbit and attitude dynamics 7,5 ECTS
and the effects of space environment on spacecraft, corresponding to e.g. R7004R Spacecraft Environment Interactions 7.5 ECTS.
Good knowledge in English equivalent to English 6
Selection:The selection is based on 30-285 credits
Application information:
Optional course within programmes. Can be applied for within the optional space of a programme.
Application for Freestanding course (En)
LTU-27042
Open for application!
Apply to Space Situational Awareness and Planetary Defense
Period 2 - 2, v. 45 2026 - v. 2 2027, no module, KirunaNormal teachingDay-time 50%Autumn 2026
Period:Period 2 - 2, v. 45 2026 - v. 2 2027, no module
Location:Kiruna
Form of study:Day-time 50%
Language:English
Tuition fees:Information for non-EU/EEA students
Application code:LTU-27042
Last day for application:2026-04-15
Entry requirements:At least 90 ECTS of completed courses and basic knowledge in linear algebra, calculus, and ordinary and partial differential equations e.g
M0055M Functions of Several Variables, 7,5 ECTS or equivalent.
The students should also have a good background in orbital dynamics, corresponding to e.g.
R7025R Orbit and attitude dynamics 7,5 ECTS
and the effects of space environment on spacecraft, corresponding to e.g. R7004R Spacecraft Environment Interactions 7.5 ECTS.
Good knowledge in English equivalent to English 6
Selection:The selection is based on 30-285 credits
Application information:
Only a few freestanding places are available. This course is part of a programme.
Application for Exchange students at LTU
LTU-27042
Open for application!
Apply to Space Situational Awareness and Planetary Defense
Period 2 - 2, v. 45 2026 - v. 2 2027, no module, KirunaNormal teachingDay-time 50%Autumn 2026
Period:Period 2 - 2, v. 45 2026 - v. 2 2027, no module
Location:Kiruna
Form of study:Day-time 50%
Language:English
Tuition fees:Information for non-EU/EEA students
Application code:LTU-27042
Last day for application:2026-04-15
Entry requirements:At least 90 ECTS of completed courses and basic knowledge in linear algebra, calculus, and ordinary and partial differential equations e.g
M0055M Functions of Several Variables, 7,5 ECTS or equivalent.
The students should also have a good background in orbital dynamics, corresponding to e.g.
R7025R Orbit and attitude dynamics 7,5 ECTS
and the effects of space environment on spacecraft, corresponding to e.g. R7004R Spacecraft Environment Interactions 7.5 ECTS.
Good knowledge in English equivalent to English 6
Selection:The selection is based on 30-285 credits
Application information:
Course offered in English to prospective exchange student, nominated for exchange by home university.
Safeguard our planet’s future in space! Learn how modern science and engineering cope with threats from space debris and near-Earth objects.
This course offers an in-depth and future-oriented study of Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and Planetary Defense, bringing together advanced engineering principles, analytical methodologies, and strategic policy insight. You will explore how humanity observes, characterizes, and predicts the motion of space debris and near-Earth objects, using modern methods and cutting-edge technologies.
You will investigate mitigation strategies from both engineering and strategic views, including active debris removal, collision avoidance planning, and asteroid deflection concepts. At the same time, you will engage with the legal frameworks, international coordination, and ethical responsibilities that shape global decision-making in space safety and planetary protection.
Whether you see yourself working in space operations, mission design, research, or international policy, this course gives you the knowledge and perspective to make a real impact. You will gain the interdisciplinary skills needed to help protect Earth and contribute to a safer, more sustainable future for human activities in space.
You will investigate mitigation strategies from both engineering and strategic views, including active debris removal, collision avoidance planning, and asteroid deflection concepts. At the same time, you will engage with the legal frameworks, international coordination, and ethical responsibilities that shape global decision-making in space safety and planetary protection.
Whether you see yourself working in space operations, mission design, research, or international policy, this course gives you the knowledge and perspective to make a real impact. You will gain the interdisciplinary skills needed to help protect Earth and contribute to a safer, more sustainable future for human activities in space.
For Programme students
LTU-27042
Open for application!
Apply to Space Situational Awareness and Planetary Defense
Period 2 - 2, v. 45 2026 - v. 2 2027, no module, KirunaNormal teachingDay-time 50%Autumn 2026
Period:Period 2 - 2, v. 45 2026 - v. 2 2027, no module
Location:Kiruna
Form of study:Day-time 50%
Language:English
Tuition fees:Information for non-EU/EEA students
Application code:LTU-27042
Last day for application:2026-04-15
Entry requirements:At least 90 ECTS of completed courses and basic knowledge in linear algebra, calculus, and ordinary and partial differential equations e.g
M0055M Functions of Several Variables, 7,5 ECTS or equivalent.
The students should also have a good background in orbital dynamics, corresponding to e.g.
R7025R Orbit and attitude dynamics 7,5 ECTS
and the effects of space environment on spacecraft, corresponding to e.g. R7004R Spacecraft Environment Interactions 7.5 ECTS.
Good knowledge in English equivalent to English 6
Selection:The selection is based on 30-285 credits
Application information:
Optional course within programmes. Can be applied for within the optional space of a programme.
Application for Freestanding course (En)
LTU-27042
Open for application!
Apply to Space Situational Awareness and Planetary Defense
Period 2 - 2, v. 45 2026 - v. 2 2027, no module, KirunaNormal teachingDay-time 50%Autumn 2026
Period:Period 2 - 2, v. 45 2026 - v. 2 2027, no module
Location:Kiruna
Form of study:Day-time 50%
Language:English
Tuition fees:Information for non-EU/EEA students
Application code:LTU-27042
Last day for application:2026-04-15
Entry requirements:At least 90 ECTS of completed courses and basic knowledge in linear algebra, calculus, and ordinary and partial differential equations e.g
M0055M Functions of Several Variables, 7,5 ECTS or equivalent.
The students should also have a good background in orbital dynamics, corresponding to e.g.
R7025R Orbit and attitude dynamics 7,5 ECTS
and the effects of space environment on spacecraft, corresponding to e.g. R7004R Spacecraft Environment Interactions 7.5 ECTS.
Good knowledge in English equivalent to English 6
Selection:The selection is based on 30-285 credits
Application information:
Only a few freestanding places are available. This course is part of a programme.
Application for Exchange students at LTU
LTU-27042
Open for application!
Apply to Space Situational Awareness and Planetary Defense
Period 2 - 2, v. 45 2026 - v. 2 2027, no module, KirunaNormal teachingDay-time 50%Autumn 2026
Period:Period 2 - 2, v. 45 2026 - v. 2 2027, no module
Location:Kiruna
Form of study:Day-time 50%
Language:English
Tuition fees:Information for non-EU/EEA students
Application code:LTU-27042
Last day for application:2026-04-15
Entry requirements:At least 90 ECTS of completed courses and basic knowledge in linear algebra, calculus, and ordinary and partial differential equations e.g
M0055M Functions of Several Variables, 7,5 ECTS or equivalent.
The students should also have a good background in orbital dynamics, corresponding to e.g.
R7025R Orbit and attitude dynamics 7,5 ECTS
and the effects of space environment on spacecraft, corresponding to e.g. R7004R Spacecraft Environment Interactions 7.5 ECTS.
Good knowledge in English equivalent to English 6
Selection:The selection is based on 30-285 credits
Application information:
Course offered in English to prospective exchange student, nominated for exchange by home university.
Kontakt
Georgios Tsirvoulis
- Senior Lecturer
- 0980-67580
- georgios.tsirvoulis@ltu.se
- Georgios Tsirvoulis
Athanasia Toliou
- Senior Lecturer
- 0920-497536
- athanasia.toliou@ltu.se
- Athanasia Toliou
Updated: