Course Syllabus

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Logistics

Course AEROSP 483: Space System Design
Instructor Dr. J. P. Sheehan
3017 FXB
sheehanj@umich.edu
Class MWF 2:30 - 4:30
1109 FXB (Boeing Auditorium)
Office Hours WF 1:00 - 2:30, by appointment
Textbook Space Mission Engineering: The New SMAD

Course Description

Introduction to the engineering design process for space systems. Includes a lecture phase that covers mission planning, launch vehicle integration, propulsion, power systems, communications, budgeting and reliability. Subsequently, students experience the latest practices in space-systems engineering by forming into mission-component teams and collectively designing a space mission. Effective team and communication skills are emphasized. Report writing and presentations are required throughout, culminating in the final report and public presentation.

4 credits.

Prerequisites

Preceded by AEROSP 347. Preceded or accompanied by AEROSP 315, 325, and 335.

Course Objectives

By the end of the course you will be competent in the following knowledge and skills:

Knowledge

  • Understand the space mission engineering process
  • Understand at a basic level all spacecraft systems and how they integrate with each other
  • Understand at a high level at least one spacecraft system

Skills

  • Work in a team
  • Execute the space mission engineering design process
  • Construct a mass budget
  • Construct a power budget
  • Construct a link budget
  • Write a technical report

Teaching Methods

Class Period

Lecture

Some of our allotted class period will be dedicated to lecture.  A guest lecturer or I will speak on a particular spacecraft system which will be useful in designing your spacecraft.  Some of these lectures have been pre-recorded.  Give your respect and attention to the lecturers.  The slides and videos will be available here.

Work Time

As the semester proceeds more and more of class time will be an open work period.  It is an opportunity for the entire team to meet at a time when everyone is available.  I will spend this time in 1109 FXB, though your team is free to meet wherever is convenient.

Textbook

Space Mission Engineering: The New SMAD will be our guide for this class.  We will be using it's design process to develop the space systems.  I encourage you to at least skim the entirety of the book, as it is a wealth of information.  You will certainly need to use it to develop the spacecraft's systems to a sufficient level of detail.  We do not have time to go in to such detail in lecture so the onus is on you to gather the necessary information.

Office Hours

Outside of the listed class time I am available for additional meetings.  Individuals or subgroups are welcome to sign up for an appointment slot.

Lecture Notes

Lecture slides and notes will be available after the lecture.  

N.B.:  Lecture notes are provided as is.  I wrote them for myself.  There may be errors and you may not be able to read my handwriting.  Tough.  My notes shouldn't be your principal reference anyway.

Assignments & Assessments

Individual Assignments

  1. Weekly Update:  Write a brief individual update about what was done in the past week.
  2. Team Evaluation:  Evaluate your fellow team members.

Group Assignments

  1. Mission Review:  In groups of 2 or 3 research a past mission and present it to the class.
  2. Mission Scope:  Provide background and context for the space mission and present it to the class.
  3. System Requirements:  Write a paper defining the mission's requirements and constraints.
  4. System Alternatives:  Write a paper describing the different options and trades available to the mission architecture.
  5. System Baseline:  Define the baseline system that can complete the mission and present it to the class.
  6. Design Update:  Report to the class on any updates to the design.
  7. Draft Final Paper:  Describe the mission and system in detail along with major trades.  Comments and revisions will be suggested.
  8. Design Review and Final Paper:  Describe the mission and system in a presentation.  Include that information plus detailed trade studies in the paper.

Course Policies

Late Work

Submitted deliverables are expected to be uploaded to Canvas by the appropriate date and time.  Late submissions will still be accepted but will be deducted a percentage of the total point value of the assignment.

Less than 1 hour 10%
1 hour to 24 hours 25%
24 hours to 48 hours 50%

Submissions will not be accepted if submitted more than 48 hours late.

The one exception to this is that the weekly updates will not be accepted if submitted late.

Attendance Policy

Attendance at the lectures is mandatory, though you need not be in 1109 FXB for work time.  

Additional References

Spacecraft Systems Engineering edited by Peter Fortescue, John Stark, Graham Swinerd.

Course Summary:

Course Summary
Date Details Due