Advanced Astronautics

Learning Outcomes

Cognitive Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Ability to apply engineering techniques taking account of a range of commercial and industrial constraints (P10m)
• Awareness that spacecraft design activities should promote sustainable space development and ability to apply quantitative techniques where appropriate (EL11m)
• Knowledge and comprehensive understanding of spacecraft design processes and methodologies and the ability to apply and adapt them in unfamiliar situations (D10m)
• Ability to apply and integrate knowledge and understanding of other engineering disciplines to support study of orbital mechanics, spacecraft subsystem (Power system/Thermal control system) design and EDL (Entry, Descent and Landing) and the ability to evaluate them critically and to apply them effectively (SM3m)
• Demonstrate wide knowledge and comprehensive understanding of spacecraft design processes and methodologies and the ability to apply and adapt them in unfamiliar situations (D7m)

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• Ability both to apply appropriate engineering analysis methods for designing mission and spacecraft subsystem (Power system/Thermal control system) and to assess their limitations (EA6m)
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of scientific principles and methodology necessary to underpin orbital mechanics, an understanding and know-how of the scientific principles of designing power and thermal control systems, to enable appreciation of the scientific and engineering context, and to support your understanding of relevant historical, current and future developments and technologies on spacecraft design. (SM1m)
• Understanding how heat transfer and aerothermodynamics are applied in the context of subsystem design and atmospheric re-entry control and guidance (P1)
• A comprehensive understanding of the relevant scientific principles of mission analysis and designing power and thermal control systems. (SM7m)
• A comprehensive knowledge and understanding of mathematical and computational models relevant to orbital mechanics, spacecraft subsystem (Power system/Thermal control system) design and EDL (Entry, Descent and Landing) and an appreciation of their limitations (SM5m)
• Awareness of developing technologies related to mission analysis, spacecraft subsystem (ACS/Power system/Thermal control system) design and EDL (Entry, Descent and Landing) (SM4m)
• A thorough understanding of current mission design, spacecraft subsystem (Power system/Thermal control system) design and EDL (Entry, Descent and Landing) practice and its limitations, and some appreciation of likely new developments (P9m)
• A critical awareness of current problems related to mission analysis, spacecraft subsystem (ACS/Power system/Thermal control system) design and EDL (Entry, Descent and Landing) (SM8m)
• Knowledge and understanding of mathematical and statistical methods necessary to design spacecraft power, thermal control and mission trajectory, and to enable students to apply a range of mathematical and statistical methods, tools and notations proficiently and critically in the analysis and solution of spacecraft subsystem (Power system/Thermal control system) design and EDL (Entry, Descent and Landing) problems (SM2m)
• Understanding of different roles within an engineering team and the ability to exercise initiative and personal responsibility, which may be as a team member or leader (P11m)
• Knowledge and understanding of the commercial, economic and social context of mission analysis, spacecraft subsystem (Power system/Thermal control system) design and EDL (Entry, Descent and Landing) processes (EL2)
• Understanding of concepts relevant to orbital mechanics, spacecraft subsystem (Power system/Thermal control system) design and EDL (Entry, Descent and Landing), including some outside engineering, and the ability to evaluate them critically and to apply them effectively in spacecraft design projects (SM6m / SM9m)

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Ability the use of technical literature and other information sources (P4m)
• Knowledge, understanding and skills to work with information that may be incomplete or uncertain, quantify the effect of solar radiation and temperature on the spacecraft subsystem design (power system / thermal control system) and, where appropriate, use theory or experimental research to mitigate deficiencies (D9m)
• Apply your skills in problem solving, communication, working with others, information retrieval, and the effective use of general IT facilities (G1)
• Ability to use fundamental knowledge to investigate new and emerging technologies (EA5m)
• Awareness of relevant regulatory requirements governing spacecraft subsystem design activities in the context of standardisation (EL12m)
• Ability to apply advanced problem-solving skills, technical knowledge and understanding, to establish rigorous and creative solutions that are fit for purpose for all aspects of the problem including production, operation, maintenance and disposal (D4)

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Advanced level knowledge and understanding of a wide range of spacecraft engineering and mission analysis (P12m)
• Ability to identify, classify and describe the performance of spacecraft systems and components through the use of analytical methods and modelling techniques on orbital mechanics and spacecraft subsystems (Power system/Thermal control system) (EA2)
• Ability to apply quantitative and computational methods, using alternative approaches and understanding their limitations, in order to solve EDL (Entry, Descent and Landing) problems and implement appropriate action (EA3m)

Keplerian Orbits:

Spherical Trigonometry

Two-Body Problem

Elliptic, Parabolic & Hyperbolic Motion

Orbit Representation:

Coordinate Systems & Time

Orbital Elements

Time Dependence

Power System (Design practice may include):

Power system element and basic design principles

Orbital Consideration

Energy sources

Energy storage devices

Thermal Control System (Design practice may include):

Fundamental of Thermal analysis

Environmental heat inputs

Thermal control hardware

Thermal testing

Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL):

Fundamental of Atmospheric entry/re-entry method

Deceleration of Spacecraft

Atmospheric entry/re-entry issues

Design and Testing methods of EDL: ground testing facilities and computational methods

Teaching and learning methods

Learning activities include directed reading, problem solving, and computer lab sessions.

Teaching methods include:

Lectures, including slide and video presentations, and example classes

An industrial visit (subject to availability)

Learning activities include:

Directed reading

Individual work to understand and master the course content through problem sheets

Computer programming of related problems

Application of course content to astronautics-based Part 3 Individual Projects

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External