Spacecraft Systems Engineering and Design | SESA3041

Module overview

This module will provide an understanding of the processes and methods used in industry to design spacecraft. By taking a systems engineering approach, it will fit with other modules that are taking a detailed look at spacecraft subsystems, whilst emphasising the concurrent and iterative nature of spacecraft design, beginning from the definition of a space mission and the identification of a suitable payload to the final assembly, integration and verification. Students will be introduced to systems engineering, concurrent design, spacecraft design optimisation techniques, standards, and regulatory issues. In addition, seminars that discuss real space missions will demonstrate how these methods have been applied in industry. Finally, students will carry out a limited group project to put the key concepts and methods into practice.

Linked modules

Pre-requisite: SESA2024

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

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

Where spacecraft design drivers come from
How spacecraft design is verified
What impacts standards and regulations have on spacecraft design
What methods can be used to produce optimal spacecraft designs
How lifecycles are used to manage space projects

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Solve problems systematically
Adopt appropriate methodologies and practices for design
Communicate design choices and justifications using written and verbal methods
Study and learn independently and as part of a team

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Develop appropriate test procedures to verify spacecraft designs
Critically evaluate design options
Identify information requirements and sources for spacecraft design
Incorporate standards and regulations into spacecraft design
Apply space project management and design methods to spacecraft design challenges

Syllabus

Space mission selection and definition:

Mission and payload/instrument selection

Mission objectives

Spacecraft Systems Engineering:

Spacecraft systems engineering

Project lifecycles

Space project management

Assembly, integration and verification

Concurrent Spacecraft Design:

Design methods

Concurrent design

Design optimisation methods

Standards and Regulatory Aspects:

Standards (ECSS, ISO)

Regulatory aspects, including legal aspects

Seminars:

Examples from industry

Group project:

In-class project focusing on a spacecraft design problem

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching methods include:

Lectures, including PowerPoint and video presentations

Discussions

Seminars, including speakers from industry (subject to their availability)

Limited, in-class project activity with supervision

Learning activities include:

Directed reading

Discussions focused on challenging topics

Individual and group work

Study time
Type	Hours
Project supervision	6
Preparation for scheduled sessions	18
Wider reading or practice	64
Seminar	6
Completion of assessment task	4
Revision	10
Follow-up work	18
Lecture	24
Total study time	150

Assessment

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Set Task Group project presentation

Summative

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

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Continuous Assessment	30%
Final Assessment	70%

Referral

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

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Set Task	100%

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.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Set Task	100%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External