Planetary and Space Sciences

Entry requirements

The normal minimum entrance requirement is an upper second class honours degree or masters degree.

Months of entry

October

Course content

Research in planetary and space science (PSS) covers a wide variety of Solar System science and exploration. We investigate the origin and evolution of the Solar System through the physical, geological, chemical and biological processes that drive it. We use laboratory and space mission experiments, remote observation, environmental simulation and modelling to investigate the surfaces and atmospheres of the terrestrial planets, moons, asteroids, comets and extraterrestrial materials.

PSS has a long history of involvement in Solar System exploration through the exploitation of instruments developed at the OU and through international collaborative teams. PSS members are active in the development of new mission proposals and studies with ESA, other space agencies and national programmes. In addition we make use of international ground- and space-based observatories as well as in-house laboratory and simulation facilities. Research students are involved in all aspects of PSS research.

PSS has a long history of involvement in major Solar System exploration missions through the exploitation of instruments developed at the OU, such as on Cassini Huygens, Stardust, Genesis, Rosetta and ExoMars, and through international collaborative teams such as BepiColombo and JUICE. PSS members are active in the development of new mission proposals and studies with ESA, other space agencies and national programmes. In addition we make use of international ground- and space-based observatories in-house laboratory and simulation facilities. Research students are involved in all aspects of PSS research.