77956 - SPACECRAFT SUBSYSTEMS AND SPACE MISSION DESIGN

Learning outcomes

In the first part of the course, the student acquires fundamentals on systems engineering of space systems and the key aspects of spacecraft systems design. He/she will also learn the design considerations which come into play in laying out a space mission and its preliminary design. In the second part of the course, students are taken step-by-step through the complete process of creating and evaluating multiple methods for reducing space mission cost and schedule and critically evaluate alternative ways of achieving mission objectives at dramatically lower cost and in much less time.

Course contents

The course covers the design of spacecraft subsystems and space missions with the small satellite landscape as a backdrop. The course comprises of several lectures that are intended to familiarise the students with systems engineering practises and tools, subsystem sizing and design, current industry trends and state-of the art research in satellite engineering. Exercises and assignments are designed to foster peer and collaborative learning.

The course will enable students to design and engineer satellite missions. The high-level learning objectives of the course are:

The students shall be able to

• explain the main aspects of satellite missions
• appreciate the usage of systems engineering methods and practises
• explain and describe elements in the architecture of a spacecraft mission
• present and defend their design of an element in the architecture of a spacecraft mission
• show familiarity with current trends in space industry and satellite research

Readings/Bibliography

The main references for this course are:

1. Wertz, J. R., & Larson, W. J. (Eds.). (1999). Space Mission Analysis and Design (3rd ed., Space Technology Library, Vol. 8). Torrance, CA: Microcosm Press; Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers. ISBN 978-0-7923-5901-2.
2. Wertz, J. R., Everett, D. F., & Puschell, J. J. (Eds.). (2011). Space Mission Engineering: The New SMAD (Space Technology Library, Vol. 28). Hawthorne, CA: Microcosm Press. ISBN 978-1-881883-15-9.

Other rReferences to specific literature will be provided during corresponding lectures.

Prerequisites:

• General mathematical, physical and engineering knowledge from completed BSc study.
• Basics of Astrodynamics

Teaching methods

With the intention to improve the analytical thinking among students, to motivate the students to be proactive and take control of the learning process, and to foster cooperative learning, the following teaching methods will be employed in the course:

• Lectures
• In-class Concurrent Engineering exercises
• Student presentations and peer feedback and evaluations
• Group work

Assessment methods

There will be two assessment components - a Group Assignment (carried out during the CEF Mission Design Exercise) and an Individual Assignment. In-class in-person participation is crucial for the Group Assigment part.

Group assignment (max 15 points out of 30)

As a deliverable of the group work, each S/C subsystem group from the CEF exercise will deliver a final report that will be evaluated for:

• Project planning and management
• Presentation and defence of the work
• Application of Systems engineering methods
• Functionality/feasibility of the work
• Independence and creativity

For this report, a limited, declared and non-substantial use of AI is permitted for support activities (synthesis, reformulations). Substantial use for carrying out parts of the group assignment is not permitted.

Individual assignment (max 15 points out of 30)

The individual assignment is an individual, open-book, test with multiple question on mission design and spacecraft subsystems and space mission preliminary design, with a multiple answers sheet; this will test:

• The ability of the student to identify and explain key aspects of satellite missions based on the lectures
• The ability of the students to draw inferences from the material presented in the lectures
• The ability to critically evaluate space system and sub-system design

The scope of the assignment will be mainly restricted to the content delivered and discussed during the lectures. However, there could be topics that test basic and general aspects in the context of space mission analysis and design.

There are 20 multiple-choice questions, with a score of +0.75 for a correct answer and 0 for an incorrect or absent answer.
Students have up to 4h for the written exam.
A minimum score of 7.5/15 is required for this section of the exam.
The use of electronic devices connected to the internet is not allowed.

Students with SLD

Students with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) or temporary or permanent disabilities: it is recommended to contact the responsible University office in due time (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it); it will be his responsibility to propose any adaptations to interested students, which must in any case be submitted 15 days in advance, for the approval of the teacher, who will evaluate the opportunity also in relation to the educational objectives of the course.

Teaching tools

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

Office hours

See the website of Paolo Tortora