Further equips graduates with a good understanding of the challenges of space engineering, a set of tools and references to tackle future design problems, and a set of contacts with industry to help begin their careers.
Building on the space vehicle design course at level 6, the module is intended to provide experience at space mission (compared to space vehicle) analysis and design through a range of largely self-taught activities, and is assessed through seminars, design build and test, and short written assignments.
This module will provide (a) in addition to the knowledge from Space Vehicle Design AE6030, a thorough understanding of the challenges of space engineering, (b) a toolset, reference material and confidence to tackle future design problems they may face, and (c) experience in the preliminary design, trade-offs and mission element selection for space mission. A space mission in addition to space vehicle(s), comprises instruments & platforms, launch vehicles, orbits and trajectories and ground segment plus user interfaces.
The module will be primarily delivered primarily through self study, supplemented by guided tutorials, computing labs, on-line collaboration and industrial guest lectures. Additional support materials will be available on Canvas.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
The module aims to be balanced between Access to Space topics, in line with the Kingston University astro strategy, and in-space (spacecraft) missions. The core areas for the module are:
The module will be primarily delivered primarily through self study, collaboration in small teams and on-line, supplemented by occasional guest lecturers and student driven seminars.
| Guest lectures, covering |
1. Small satellite missions 2.; Reliability and design for space 3. Solid rocket propulsion 4. Space mission operations 5. (Others - TBC) |
Average of 1 formally taught hour every other week |
| Seminar | Each module student to prepare a seminar on an access to space topic | Peer Assessed. 1 per student - total two per teaching block |
| Research paper analysis | Each module student to select critique and summarise for the class a space science research paper. | Peer Assessed. 1 per student - total two per teaching block. To be summarised to AE6030 class |
| Discussion forum | Each student to select and lead a technical discussion on an area of topical interest in the space industry. | Peer Assessed. 1 per student - to be used for AE4020 / 1st year engagement. |
| Workshops | ASTOS, EYsaSat Spacecraft systems, RPA / Rocket Propulsion Analysis, On Board data handling. | Attendance noted. At least 2 from the |
| Portfolio | 2 written assignments (reports) on mission design | Assessed. Each one equivalent to 1 week's work. |
| Practical activities | Rocket building, propulsion test, propulsion data acquisition. | Assessed. Choose 2 of the three -done in pairs. |
| Visit / class trip | Chemical or electric rocket propulsion | QinetiQ, Rolls Royce or Aerospace Bristol (TBC) |
| Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching, teaching block 1 | 3 x 2 hour classes with guest lecturers Up to 6 x 1 hour discussion and seminar classes 2 thirty minute assignment briefings 1 one hour reviews of assignment outputs 1 half day class on EyasSat | 18 |
| Scheduled learning and teaching, teaching block 2 | 2 x 2 hour classes with guest lecturers 6 x 1 hour discussion and seminar classes 1 thirty minute assignment briefing 2 one hour reviews of assignment outputs 1 half day class on launchers / propulsion | 15 |
| Guided independent study | 10-15 hours per week | 267 |
| Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 | |
There are 3 elements of assessment
First, students will generate a portfolio (pair) of written assignments in response to an industry standard request for information. These will cover low cost space missions and large complex space missions. The low cost mission element will focus on system engineering, the larger mission analysis will require a more detailed critique of one or more subsystems.
Second, students will be required to develop their presentation and synthesis skills through both an access to space seminar and a dissection and managed discussion of a relevant space science research paper. These will be take place through informal discussion classes and presentations with a peer reviewed element. Students will also need to prepare a guided discussion on a topic of interest to the space industry for delivery to a small group of first year students, to stimulate engagement.
Students will also need to attend at least two workshops on space mission design.
Third students will be required to demonstrate their hands-on practical skills through at least one of the following
i) Demonstrating low cost data acquisition from the Kingston 'Rocket-in-a-box' using an Arduino platform
ii) Designing building and launching a small solid rocket and obtaining flight data and a UKRA certification.
iii) Conducting at least one test firing of a hybrid rocket engine in the KU rocket lab and obtaining valid test data on the engine parameters.
A test and evaluation report will be required for each of these.
These will be done in pairs, students will be required to select two out of the three practical elements.
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| 1) Analyse major space mission drivers in particular propulsion, low cost approaches, science / instrumentation payload hosting, and how these drivers change for low cost, small space missions | Portfolio – mission design assignments. Marked and comments sent back to student. |
| 2) Present your work and views with confidence to peers and industry experts | Seminar – peer assessment, portfolio assessment |
| 3) Have mature design and associated manufacture and test skills | Practical activities |
| 4) Appreciate the construction of proposals for funding, scientific papers and industry briefing papers and scientific / engineering design reports | Write up of practical activities. |
| 5) Conceptually design and then implement a space experiment. | Practical activities. |
| 6) Use appropriate references from the range of available material both physical (LRC text books, technical journals, trade magazines) and online, and engage with experts in technical subject areas. | Portfolio assessment. |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Mission design reports | Coursework (portfolio) | 30% |
| Seminars / paper review / attendance / classes | Practical exam | 20% (4 x 5%) |
| Design build test and analyse data | Practical exam | 50% |
| Total (to equal 100%) | 100% | |
It IS NOT a requirement that any element of assessment is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.
Space mission Analysis & Design (3rd edition), J R Wertz and W J Larsen (eds), Kluwer 1999.,
Spacecraft Systems Engineering (3rd Edition), Fortescue, Stark and Swinerd, 2003.
Chapter 19.
Elements of Spacecraft Design (1st edition), Brown Charles D, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 2002, ISBN-1-56347-524-3.
Satellite Platform Design (4th edition), Berlin Peter, Universities of Lulea and Umea, 2005, ISBN-978-91-631-4917-7.
Space Vehicle Design (2nd Edition), Griffin, Michael D and French James R, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 2004, ISBN-1-56347-539-1.
White paper on the SSTL approach to small satellite engineering (Blackboard)