Unit information: Space Systems in 2010/11

Unit name	Space Systems
Unit code	AENGM2009
Credit points	10
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Dr. Taylor
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Department of Aerospace Engineering
Faculty	Faculty of Engineering

Description including Unit Aims

The unit covers the engineering of spacecraft from a system level perspective. It covers the space environment, astrodynamics (Kelperian), rocket technology and the various subsystems on robotic spacecraft. It serves as a broadening awareness introduction to astronautics that has value in its own right, but also provides the background to more specialist in depth study. The Unit content is similar to courses used by the space industry to induct new graduate employees. However the assessment tests the understanding and context comprehension to a higher level to demonstrate the ability to use material in a systems engineering context.

Aim:

To provide an introductory course on spacecraft engineering

Intended Learning Outcomes

• have a basic knowledge of all spacecraft subsystems;

• be able to perform simple calculations on keplerian orbits, orbit transfers, propulsion systems, and some subsystem topics;

• be aware of the major applications, and how they are implemented in real missions;

• be able to place the knowledge of space systems engineering into the wider context.

Teaching Information

24 Lectures, between 3 and 6 hours of computational laboratory time

Assessment Information

The main assessment is a 2hour exam in summer, consisting of one compulsory short answer question, and a selection of 2 from 4 long answer questions. This M level unit currently also has one extra essay question, for which the students are allowed an extra half hour. This question will be dropped in favour of the coursework exercise described above.

Reading and References

Spacecraft Systems Engineering, by Peter Fortescue and John Stark.