Postgraduate - UnitMAE5408 - Spaceflight dynamics

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2015 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

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6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Level	Postgraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Engineering
Organisational Unit	Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Offered	Not offered in 2015
Coordinator(s)	M Thompson

Synopsis

This unit gives an overview of the fundamental methods of orbital mechanics and spaceflight dynamics. It provides students with a coherent and unified framework for the mathematical modelling, analysis and control of space vehicles. The focus will be on the physical phenomena and analytical procedures required to understand and predict the behaviour of orbiting spacecraft. The students will see and appreciate how these methods are applied to real space systems and why spaceflight dynamics is a crucial tool in the development of any type of space mission.

Outcomes

The development and integration of students' knowledge in the theory of mechanics, electronics and physics based on previous study leading towards a mature understanding of current spaceflight dynamics technology within both a guided and self-learning environment.

Assessment

Project work 20%
Assignments 30%
Examination (3 hours): 50%

Workload requirements

3 hours lectures, 2 hours practical classes and 7 hours of private study per week

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Mark Thompson