PDF version of this chapterCourses of Instruction
Astronautics and space technology (ASTE)
101L Introduction to Astronautics (4, Fa) Gateway to the Astronautical Engineering major. Introduction to space, space exploration and the space business. Elements of orbits, spacecraft systems, rocket propulsion, and communications. Laboratory: introduction to graphics, computation and simulation.
280 Astronautics and Space Environment I (3, Sp) Solar system, two-body problem, orbits, Hohmann transfer, rocket equation, space environment and its effects on space systems, sun, solar wind, geomagnetic field, atmosphere, ionosphere, magnetosphere. (Duplicates credit in former AME 282.) Prerequisite: MATH 226, PHYS 152L.
301ab Thermal and Statistical Systems (3-3, FaSp) Thermodynamics and statistical mechanics; kinetics of atoms, molecules, and photons; compressible fluid dynamics. (Duplicates credit in former AME 311ab .) Prerequisite: MATH 245, PHYS 153L.
330 Astronautics and Space Environment II (3, Fa) Basics of spacecraft dynamics, Euler's equation, introduction to space plasma physics, spacecraft in plasma, radiation effects on space systems, space instrumentation: detectors, analyzers, spectrometers. (Duplicates credit in former AME 382.) Prerequisite: ASTE 280, PHYS 153L.
420 Spacecraft Design (3, Fa) Spacecraft mission design, space environment, attitude determination and control, telecommunications, propulsion, structures and mechanisms, thermal control, power systems, launch systems and facilities. (Duplicates credit in former AME 482.) Prerequisite: junior or senior standing in engineering or physics.
445 Molecular Gas Dynamics (3) Physical description of kinetic nature of gas flows; distribution function; introduction to the Boltzmann equation; free-molecule flow; surface and molecular reflection properties; Monte-Carlo flow calculations. (Duplicates credit in former AME 485.) Recommended preparation: AME 309 or ASTE 301b.
470 Spacecraft Propulsion (3) Introduction to rocket engineering. Space missions and thrust requirements. Compressible gas dynamics. Propellant chemistry and thermodynamics. Liquid- and solid-fueled rockets. Nuclear and electric propulsion. (Duplicates credit in former AME 473.) Prerequisite: senior or graduate standing.
480 Spacecraft Dynamics (3) Two-body motion, rigid-body motion, attitude dynamics and maneuvers, spacecraft stabilization: gravity gradient, reaction wheels, magnetic torques, thruster attitude control. (Duplicates credit in former AME 483.) Prerequisite: senior standing.
499 Special Topics (2-4, max 8) Course content to be selected each semester from current developments in astronautics, space technology, and related fields.
501ab Physical Gas Dynamics (3-3, FaSp) a: Molecular structure; radiative processes; microscopic description of gas phenomena; translational, rotational, vibrational, and electronic freedom degrees; particle energy distributions; microscopic representation of thermodynamic functions. Prerequisite: graduate standing or departmental approval. b: Kinetic concepts in gas physics; thermal non-equilibrium; intermolecular potentials; transport of radiation and particles in high-temperature gas; dissociation and ionization equilibrium; energy relaxation. (Duplicates credit in former AME 520ab .) Prerequisite: ASTE 501a.
520 Spacecraft System Design (3, Sp) System components; vehicle structure, propulsion systems, flight dynamics, thermal control, power systems, telecommunication. Interfaces and tradeoffs between these components. Testing, system reliability, and integration. (Duplicates credit in former AME 501.)
523 Design of Low Cost Space Missions (3, Sp) Reviews all aspects of space mission design for practical approaches to reducing cost. Examines "LightSat" mission experience and potential applicability to large-scale missions. (Duplicates credit in former AME 506.) Graduate standing in engineering or science. Recommended preparation: ASTE 520 or some experience in space engineering.
527 Space Studio Architecting (3, Sp) Programmatic/conceptual design synthesis/choice creation methods for complex space missions. Aerospace system engineering/Architecture tools to create innovative projects. Evaluated by faculty/industry/NASA experts. Graduate standing in engineering or science. (Duplicates credit in former AME 557). Recommended preparation: ASTE 520 or experience in space industry.
535 Space Environments and Spacecraft Interactions (3) Space environments and interactions with space systems. Vacuum, neutral and ionized species, plasma, radiation, micrometeoroids. Phenomena important for spacecraft operations. (Duplicates credit in former AME 585.)
541 Partially Ionized Plasmas (3) Review of microscopic processes involving particles and radiation, and their impact on properties of high-temperature gases and plasmas in local thermal equilibrium and non-equilibrium. (Duplicates credit in former AME 586.)
545 Computational Techniques in Rarefied Gas Dynamics (3, Irregular) Particle-based computational simulation methods for rarefied, high-speed flows. Molecular collision kinetics. Monte Carlo direct simulation and related techniques. (Duplicates credit in former AME 564.) Recommended preparation: ASTE 501a and skill in FORTRAN programming.
552 Spacecraft Thermal Control (3, Sp) Spacecraft and orbit thermal environments; design, analysis, testing of spacecraft thermal control system and components; active and passive thermal control, spacecraft and launch vehicle interfaces. Graduate standing in engineering or science.
553 Systems for Remote Sensing from Space (3) The operation, accuracy, resolution, figures of merit, and application of instruments which either produce images of ground scenes or probe the atmosphere as viewed primarily from space. (Duplicates credit in former AME 502.) Graduate standing in engineering or physics.
556 Spacecraft Structural Dynamics (3) Applied analytical methods (vibrations of single and multi-degree of freedom systems, finite element modeling, spacecraft applications); requirements definition process; analytical cycles; and design verification. Graduate standing in engineering or science.
572 Advanced Spacecraft Propulsion (3, Sp) Nuclear, electric, sails, and far-term propulsion systems. Overviews of nozzles, heat transfer, electromagnetics, rarefied gases, and plasma physics. Analysis of electrothermal, electrostatic and electromagnetic thrusters. Graduate standing in engineering or science. (Duplicates credit in former AME 573.) Recommended preparation: ASTE 470.
580 Orbital Mechanics I (3) Physical principles; two-body and central force motion; trajectory correction maneuvers; position and velocity in conic orbits; Lambert's problem; celestial mechanics; orbital perturbations. (Duplicates credit in former AME 580.)
581 Orbital Mechanics II (3, Fa) Theory of perturbations of orbits; numerical methods in orbital mechanics; satellite dynamics; averaging methods; resonance; mission analysis. (Duplicates credit in former AME 581.) Prerequisite: ASTE 580.
583 Space Navigation: Principles and Practice (3, Sp) Statistical orbit determination: (weighted) least squares, batch and sequential (Kalman) processing, illustrative examples; online ephemeris generation: potentially hazardous asteroids, comets, satellites; launch: vehicles, payloads, staging. Graduate standing in engineering or science. (Duplicates credit in former AME 558.) Recommended preparation: ASTE 580.
584 Spacecraft Power Systems (3, Sp) Introduction to solar arrays, batteries, nuclear power sources, mechanical energy storage. Application theory of operation, practical considerations. Subsystem topologies and performance. Design optimization techniques. Graduate standing in engineering or science. (Duplicates credit in former AME 508.)
585 Spacecraft Attitude Control (3, SpSm) Review of attitude dynamics, gravity gradient stabilization, attitude stabilization with a spin, attitude maneuvers, control using momentum exchange devices, momentum-biased stabilization, reaction thruster control. (Duplicates credit in former AME 582.) Prerequisite: AME 451 or EE 482; recommended preparation: a course in dynamics.
586 Spacecraft Attitude Dynamics (3) Dynamics of systems of particles and rigid bodies; spacecraft attitude systems; attitude maneuvers (spin, precession, nutation, etc.); attitude stabilization and attitude determination; simulation methods. (Duplicates credit in former AME 583.)
590 Directed Research (1-12, FaSpSm) Research leading to the master's degree. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the division. Graded CR/NC.
594abz Master's Thesis (2-2-0, FaSpSm) Credit on acceptance of thesis. Graded IP/CR/NC.
599 Special Topics (2-4, max 9) Course content to be selected each semester from current developments in astronautics, space technology, and related fields.
690 Directed Research (1-4, max 8, FaSpSm) Laboratory studies of specific problems by candidates for the degree Engineer in Astronautical Engineering. Graded CR/NC.
694abz Thesis (2-2-0, FaSpSm) Required for the degree Engineer in Astronautical Engineering. Credit on acceptance of thesis. Graded IP/CR/NC.
790 Research (1-12, FaSpSm) Research leading to the doctorate. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the division. Graded CR/NC.
794abcdz Doctoral Dissertation (2-2-2-2-0, FaSpSm) Credit on acceptance of disssertation. Graded IP/CR/NC.