Physics of Space Systems II - 615.745

This is the second course in a two-course series (first course is 615.644) that teaches a physics-based approach to space systems engineering. The focus is on the underlying physics of major spacecraft subsystems, orbits, launch vehicles, and other mission considerations. This provides a crucial foundation for informed decision making when applying systems engineering processes (requirements and risk management, verification and validation, etc.) to space systems. This second course emphasizes design through a project consisting of several interrelated homework assignments and other activities. The project is a proposal of a preliminary space mission design based on analyses established in the two-course series. Topics covered in this course include mission design, power systems, thermal control, communications, launch selection, sizing spacecraft components, and tools for design iteration. Concepts are introduced through lectures and then reinforced through homework assignments, visualization tools, modeling, simulation, analysis with MATLAB, and laboratory demonstrations/exercises using a CubeSat kit.

Course Prerequisite(s)

EN.615.744 The Physics of Space Systems I or permission of instructors.