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EE30141: Spacecraft systems engineering

[Page last updated: 04 August 2021]

Academic Year: 2021/2
Owning Department/School: Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering
Credits: 6 [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 120
Level: Honours (FHEQ level 6)
Period:
Semester 1
Assessment Summary: CW 25%, EX 75%
Assessment Detail:
  • Dissertation (CW 25%)
  • Examination (EX 75%)
Supplementary Assessment:
EE30141B - Reassessment Examination (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Description: Aims:
Students completing this unit will be equipped to: understand the principal functions and characteristics of space platform subsystems; to perform basic calculations to determine the required characteristics of space platform subsystems and launch vehicles.

Learning Outcomes:
After successfully completing this unit students should be able to:
* Understand the various types of orbit and their particular uses;
* Explain the principles of the main types of spacecraft propulsion systems and make simple calculations about payloads;
* Understand the engineering features of spacecraft power systems; communication systems and the role of ground stations;
* Understand the need for thermal control.

Skills:
Students will learn to apply basic physical principles to solve simple problems and to be able to identify and summarise the key points of the design and operation of space vehicles and platforms.

Content:
Overview of the history of spaceflight. Propulsion systems and the Tsiolkovsky equation. Liquid-fuelled rocket engines. Solid-fuelled rocket motors. Launch vehicles and platforms. Electrical power systems. Attitude control systems. Spacecraft structures. Thermal control and space environment. Orbital mechanics and transfer orbits. Mission analysis. Telecommunications, telemetry and data handling. Ground stations. Small satellites.

Programme availability:

EE30141 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering
  • UEEE-AFB14 : BEng(Hons) Electronic Engineering with Space Science & Technology (Year 3)
  • UEEE-AKB14 : BEng(Hons) Electronic Engineering with Space Science & Technology with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UEEE-AFM14 : MEng(Hons) Electronic Engineering with Space Science & Technology (Year 3)
  • UEEE-AKM14 : MEng(Hons) Electronic Engineering with Space Science & Technology with Year long work placement (Year 4)

EE30141 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering
  • UEEE-AFB13 : BEng(Hons) Computer Systems Engineering (Year 3)
  • UEEE-AKB13 : BEng(Hons) Computer Systems Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UEEE-AFB01 : BEng(Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Year 3)
  • UEEE-AKB01 : BEng(Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UEEE-AFB12 : BEng(Hons) Electrical Power Engineering (Year 3)
  • UEEE-AKB12 : BEng(Hons) Electrical Power Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UEEE-AFB15 : BEng(Hons) Electronic Systems Engineering (Year 3)
  • UEEE-AKB15 : BEng(Hons) Electronic Systems Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UEEE-AFM13 : MEng(Hons) Computer Systems Engineering (Year 3)
  • UEEE-AKM13 : MEng(Hons) Computer Systems Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UEEE-AFM01 : MEng(Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Year 3)
  • UEEE-AKM01 : MEng(Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UEEE-AFM12 : MEng(Hons) Electrical Power Engineering (Year 3)
  • UEEE-AKM12 : MEng(Hons) Electrical Power Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UEEE-AFM15 : MEng(Hons) Electronic Systems Engineering (Year 3)
  • UEEE-AKM15 : MEng(Hons) Electronic Systems Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UEEE-AFM16 : MEng(Hons) Robotics Engineering (Year 3)
  • UEEE-AKM16 : MEng(Hons) Robotics Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UEEE-AFB16 : BEng(Hons) Robotics Engineering (Year 3)
  • UEEE-AKB16 : BEng(Hons) Robotics Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 4)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2021/22 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2022/23 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2021/22.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.