62342 - Satellites and Space Missions

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student will get to know the different subsystems of a spacecraft. Through examples related to space missions, he/she learns the typical requirements for on-board payloads and the sizing criteria for all the subsystems.

Course contents

Space mission analysis and design

• Mission analysis: definition of mission objectives and architecture.
• Fundamentals of Systems Engineering.
• Phases of the spacecraft mission development lifecycle.
• Requirements management and verification.

Space Environment and Spacecraft Subsystems

• Characteristics of the space environment and their impact on spacecraft design.
• Space debris and mitigation and deorbiting strategies.
• Thermal analysis and control.
• Telecommunications subsystem.
• Electrical power subsystem.
• Attitude determination and control subsystem.
• Propulsion systems for orbital maneuvers and attitude control.
• Structures and mechanisms.
• Definition and preliminary design of remote sensing payloads.

Readings/Bibliography

Recommended readings

1. W.J. Larson, J.R. Wertz, Space Mission Analysis and Design, Kluver, 1992

2. P. Fortescue, J. Stark, Spacecraft Systems Engineering, Wiley, 1995

3. Wertz, J.R. (ed.), Spacecraft Attitude Determination and Control, Kluwer, 1978

Teaching methods

Teaching activities include lectures and exercise sessions. During the lectures, the course topics are presented with the support of lecture slides, which form an integral part of the course material, and the main methodologies for preliminary engineering analysis and design are introduced.

During the exercise sessions, the instructor presents and discusses in detail the solution of representative problems covering subsystems' analysis and sizing, illustrating the application of the methodologies introduced in the lectures. Students are expected to use a scientific calculator during these sessions.

Assessment methods

The written examination consists of two subsystem sizing exercises and one theoretical question. The exercises require students to apply the analysis and preliminary design methodologies developed during the course, while the theoretical question focuses on the characteristics of one or more spacecraft subsystems and the space environment, together with their implications for spacecraft design.

The assessment is designed to evaluate not only students’ knowledge and understanding of the course topics, but also their ability to apply such knowledge to the solution of engineering problems, including previously unseen ones, or, at least, to formulate an appropriate solution strategy. The ability to approach engineering problems with methodological rigor constitutes a key criterion in determining the final grade.

During the examination, the use of smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, laptops, or any other electronic device not expressly authorized is strictly prohibited. Any use, even occasional, of such a device will result in the immediate termination of the examination.

Teaching tools

LCD projector and PC are used in addition to the standard blackboard.

Office hours

See the website of Dario Modenini