| Unit name | Further Space Systems Engineering |
|---|---|
| Unit code | CADE30006 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Professor. Lucy Berthoud |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one | |
| School/department | School of Civil, Aerospace and Design Engineering |
| Faculty | Faculty of Engineering |
Why is this unit important?
This unit introduces students to the ‘space’ part of Aerospace Engineering, covering spacecraft mission design, launchers, orbits and spacecraft subsystems. The complexity of spacecraft projects led to the development of systems engineering methods. These methods are applicable to any large and complex system and are widely used in the aerospace industry.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This unit introduces students to a wide range of aspects of space engineering, a uniquely challenging application area for aerospace engineers. In parallel, the unit introduces students to systems engineering methods, which enable engineers to manage the design of complex systems such as spacecraft. This unit is an optional unit for MSc Aerospace Engineering, and designed to provide students with a background to space engineering. This unit provides a foundation for students wishing to take further space engineering options in the MSc Aerospace Engineering.
An overview of content
This unit introduces students to a wide range of space engineering topics, including mission analysis and design, space environment, orbital mechanics and orbital manoeuvres such as Hohmann transfer, launchers and spacecraft propulsion, and spacecraft subsystems (e.g. power, communications, and attitude control). An emphasis is placed on providing students with an appreciation of the complexity of integrating subsystems into a spacecraft in order to achieve a successful mission. In parallel, the students are taught the principles and methods which enable engineers to manage the design of complex systems such as aircraft and spacecraft. These system engineering methods include engaging with stakeholders/customers, writing requirements, performing functional analysis and system trade-offs, as well as managing system budgets and evaluating system safety, reliability and risk.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
Students will have gained an understanding of the unique challenges involved in designing engineering solutions for space applications, as well as a broad technical basis for solving these challenges. Further, students will have applied methods and techniques to manage the design of complex engineering systems such as aircraft and spacecraft.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. describe the key principles of the systems engineering approach and explain their utility within a system lifecycle;
2. employ systems engineering methods to assess alternative design solutions under conflicting technical requirements and recognise the need for compromise;
3. describe how spacecraft form complex systems, with subsystems and components;
4. apply knowledge of modelling and design of orbits to spacecraft missions;
5. provide justification for the selection and design of spacecraft subsystems and components;
6. demonstrate methods for sizing of spacecraft subsystems to meet mission requirements;
7. critique an example spacecraft design developed in response to a design specification.
Teaching will be delivered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous activities, which include lectures, supported computer labs, drop-in sessions and self-directed exercises.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Formative tasks will include computer labs, weekly progress tests and exercise sheets.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
[75%] – individual portfolio (ILO 1-6)
[25%] – reflective assessment (ILO 7)
The individual portfolio will be a submission at the end of term that brings together smaller, individual tasks that can be completed throughout the term. These will assess your knowledge of space engineering, systems engineering, and the interface of these two.
The reflective assessment will involve a systems engineering analysis of a typical space engineering problem. This assessment will also require you to reflect on potential space engineering challenges and how engineers work around these challenges.
When assessment does not go to plan
A reassessment retains the same format as the original assessment
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. CADE30006).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
