Spacecraft design and system engineering

EE-584 / 5 credits

Teacher(s): David Emmanuelle Brigitte Marie, Udriot Mathieu Jean-Pierre

Language: English

Summary

The main objective of the course is to provide tools and notions for spacecraft design. The course will start with an introduction on systems engineering, then the different subsystems of a spacecraft will be explored. External teachers from industry will bring their expertise.

Content

Introduction

  • Highlights of space mission organization and engineering.
  • Mission objectives, science objectives, mission architectures.

System Engineering Techniques

  • Presentation of the major system engineering techniques: functional analysis, block diagrams, design trade-offs, design budgets, interface management, tradable parameters.

Conception and Design of Spacecraft

  • General description of the space environment and survivability, and spacecraft subsystems including science and instruments.
  • Telecommunications, power management and distribution, command and data handling, thermal control, propulsion, structures and mechanisms, configuration, end-to-end information system, flight software.

Introduction to Project Engineering

  • Other project considerations for a system engineer: requirement, definition and tracking, spacecraft integration and test, mission operations, reliability and quality assurance, cost and risk management.

Project groups (2-3) of a Space Mission with deliverables and a final report including:

  • Mission statement and definition, Project organization, Mission design, System Engineering, Science & instruments.
  • Subsystems design and definition: Telecom, Electrical power, Structure and Configuration, C&DH, ADCS, Propulsion, Thermal.
  • An executive summary and conference abstract.
  • Powerpoint files for oral presentations at various stages.

Practical experience

  • Based on the availabilities of the labs, there will some exercise to assemble a cubesat, perform test with the Space center infrastructure and visit of an operation center...

Keywords

spacecraft, space system, systems engineering, trade-off, space sustainability, space environment, launch operations and space exploration.

Learning Prerequisites

Required courses

  • Space Mission Design and Operations (EE-585) [already taken or have registered for]

Recommended courses

Important concepts to start the course

Orbital mechanics knowledge

 

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:

  • Structure a space project in development phases
  • Formulate the tasks and responsibilities of the system engineer
  • Dimension the overall system
  • Dimension each satellite subsystem
  • Elaborate a coherent and consistent system design
  • Design a space mission
  • Integrate constraints due to the space environment

Transversal skills

  • Set objectives and design an action plan to reach those objectives.
  • Plan and carry out activities in a way which makes optimal use of available time and other resources.
  • Use a work methodology appropriate to the task.
  • Access and evaluate appropriate sources of information.
  • Write a scientific or technical report.
  • Make an oral presentation.
  • Communicate effectively with professionals from other disciplines.
  • Evaluate one's own performance in the team, receive and respond appropriately to feedback.
  • Demonstrate a capacity for creativity.

Teaching methods

  • Interactive lectures
  • Collaborative learning
  • Project-based learning

Expected student activities

Design work every week, interactive presentations, mid-term report, final report, and final oral presentation.
Exercise in the lab

Assessment methods

Mid-term report, final report, and oral presentation.

participation in the class

Supervision

Office hours No
Assistants Yes
Forum Yes

Resources

Bibliography

"Space Mission analysis and Design", by W. Larson and J. Wertz

"Space Systems Engineering", by P. Fortescue, G. Swinerd, J. Stark

Ressources en bibliothèque

Websites

Moodle Link

Prerequisite for

ENG-411 Concurrent Engineering

In the programs

  • Semester: Fall
  • Exam form: During the semester (winter session)
  • Subject examined: Spacecraft design and system engineering
  • Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • TP: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional
  • Semester: Fall
  • Exam form: During the semester (winter session)
  • Subject examined: Spacecraft design and system engineering
  • Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • TP: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional
  • Semester: Fall
  • Exam form: During the semester (winter session)
  • Subject examined: Spacecraft design and system engineering
  • Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • TP: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional
  • Semester: Fall
  • Exam form: During the semester (winter session)
  • Subject examined: Spacecraft design and system engineering
  • Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • TP: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional

Reference week

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