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Subject offerings of new and developing areas of knowledge in aerospace engineering intended to augment the existing curriculum. See Class Schedule or department course information for topics and prerequisite. Course Information: 1 to 4 undergraduate hours. 1 to 4 graduate hours. May be repeated in the same or separate terms if topics vary to a maximum of 9 undergraduate hours or 12 graduate hours.

This course serves as an introduction to Planetary Defense. Topics covered include near-Earth asteroid origin, composition and dynamics, orbit determination and impact monitoring, technical aspects of various asteroid orbit deflection techniques such as kinetic impact, nuclear deflection, ion beam shepherds, and gravity tractors, as well as a discussion of national and international planetary defense programs including relevant space missions. Prerequisites AE 352, AE 402. Recommended: AE 370 3 credit hours for undergraduate students. 4 credit hours for graduate students.