675.691.81 - Electro-Optical Space Systems

Course Structure

The course materials are divided into 14 modules which can be accessed by clicking Course Modules on the left menu. A module will have several sections including the overview, content, readings, discussions, and assignments. You are encouraged to preview all sections of the module before starting. Most modules run for a period of seven (7) days, exceptions are noted in the Course Outline. You should regularly check the Calendar and Announcements for assignment due dates.

Course Topics

• Introduction to Space Electro-Optic Systems
• Light: Generation, Scatter, Absorption
• Introduction to Optics
• Optical Systems, Telescope Design Systems
• Detection of Photons
• Orbital Mechanics and Satellite/Probe Bus Considerations
• Application: Visible Imaging from Space
• Spectrometry and Radiometry: Fundamentals and Applications
• Application: Multispectral Imaging Systems
• Systems Engineering Considerations
• Optical Sources and Introduction to Active Systems
• Active Systems: Laser Radar (LADAR and/or LIDAR)
• Evolution of EO Space Systems: Nanosats and Optical Communications
• Presentation of Student Design Projects

Course Goals

To provide the student with a broad overview of the physics, engineering, and applications of space electrooptic systems and have the student apply that knowledge to a term project leveraging the material covered in the course.

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

• Explain the uses of optical systems in space applications.
• Demonstrate the use of analytical and numerical methods for analyzing optical systems.
• Evaluate what elements of an optical system are necessary for different sensing modalities.
• Demonstrate the ability to design the subsystems and overall systems of an electro optical space system.

Textbooks

The textbook for this course is:

• Olsen, R.C. (2016). Remote sensing from air and space (2nd Ed.). Bellingham, WA: SPIE

It is available as a free ebook that is linked from the Blackboard course site. Readings from the textbook are accessed by selecting the EReserves link on the left menu or from the readings section in each module.

Additional readings are specified in each module. The additional readings are also linked from the course as EReserves.

Required Software

The models demonstrated in this class were written in Python 3. There are multiple free open source packages available for running these models and doing your own Python development. Anaconda (www.anaconda.com) is a well supported Python package manager.

It is OK to use other modeling packages such as Matlab for the project work.

Student Coursework Requirements

It is expected that each module will take approximately 7-12 hours per week to complete. Here is an approximate breakdown: reading the assigned sections of the texts and other readings (approximately 2-3 hours per week), listening to the audio annotated slide presentations (approximately 2-3 hours per week), weekly assignments (2-3 hours per week), working on term project (approximately 2-3 hours per week).

This course will consist of five basic student requirements:

1. Weekly assignments (45%)

There are 12 assignments in the course. The assignments consist of questions and problems built directly into Blackboard that require you to recall and apply the material presented that week. You may log into

the assignment as many times as you wish during the week to complete it before hitting the submit button and turning it in at the end of the module/week. If you have questions or problems related to assignments, there is discussion area in Blackboard that corresponds to each assignment. By posting your questions in these designated areas we can generate class discussion around questions that may benefit other students in the course. Participation in the assignment collaboration area is worth up to 5% extra credit at the end of the semester.

2. Weekly discussion board assignments (15% of final grade)

Weekly discussion board assignments require you to think about real-world applications for the concepts you will be learning. You are required to respond to each discussion prompt as well as respond to at least two other students’ post. A rubric for how discussion assignments will be evaluated by the instructor is posted in module 1. Each discussion is worth 12 points.

3. Independent Term Project (40% of final grade)

In this project you will choose one of three applications and create a detailed design of a space electrooptic system. Deliverables for the term project are due in modules 4, 7, 9, 11, 13 and 14. All details describing the requirements for the term project may be found in module 2 of the Blackboard course site.

Grading Policy

Assignments are due according to the dates posted in your Blackboard course site. You may check these due dates in the Course Calendar or the Assignments in the corresponding modules. I/We will post grades one week after assignment due dates.

We generally do not directly grade spelling and grammar. However, egregious violations of the rules of the English language will be noted without comment. Consistently poor performance in either spelling or grammar is taken as an indication of poor written communication ability that may detract from your grade.

A grade of A indicates achievement of consistent excellence and distinction throughout the course—that is, conspicuous excellence in all aspects of assignments and discussion in every week.

A grade of B indicates work that meets all course requirements on a level appropriate for graduate academic work. These criteria apply to both undergraduates and graduate students taking the course.

EP uses a +/- grading system (see “Grading System”, Graduate Programs catalog, p. 10). You should contact your Program Chair for guidance on the breakdown used by your program.

Example:

100–98 = A+

97–94 = A

93–90 = A−

89–87 = B+

86–83 = B

82–80 = B−

79–70 = C

<70 = F

Academic Policies

Deadlines for Adding, Dropping and Withdrawing from Courses

Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar (https://ep.jhu.edu/student-services/academic-calendar/). Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course.

Academic Misconduct Policy

All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students.

This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.

Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility

Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.

For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services at Engineering for Professionals, ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu.

Student Conduct Code

The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically. 

For a full description of the code please visit the following website: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/policies-guidelines/student-code/

Classroom Climate

JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity. 
 
If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).

Course Auditing

When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team [EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu] in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.