Course syllabus adopted 2023-01-31 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).
Overview
- Swedish nameRymdfysik och rymdteknik
- CodeRRY016
- Credits7.5 Credits
- OwnerMPWPS
- Education cycleSecond-cycle
- Main field of studyElectrical Engineering, Engineering Physics
- DepartmentSPACE, EARTH AND ENVIRONMENT
- GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail
Course round 1
- Teaching language English
- Application code 29129
- Block schedule
- Open for exchange studentsYes
Credit distribution
Module | Sp1 | Sp2 | Sp3 | Sp4 | Summer | Not Sp | Examination dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0112 Examination 6 c Grading: TH | 6 c |
| |||||
| 0212 Project 1.5 c Grading: UG | 1.5 c |
In programmes
- MPEES - EMBEDDED ELECTRONIC SYSTEM DESIGN, MSC PROGR, Year 2 (elective)
- MPWPS - WIRELESS, PHOTONICS AND SPACE ENGINEERING, MSC PROGR, Year 1 (compulsory)
Examiner
Arto Heikkilä- Assistant Head of Department, Space, Earth and Environment
Eligibility
General entry requirements for Master's level (second cycle)Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.
Specific entry requirements
English 6 (or by other approved means with the equivalent proficiency level)Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.
Course specific prerequisites
Basic knowledge in multivariable calculus and electromagnetic field theory.Aim
After the course, the students will be able to understand the complexity of spacecraft systems, the space environment and its effect on spacecraft, and how spacecraft are used for scientific and commercial purposes. Students will be able to perform basic calculations in spacecraft systems engineering, and be ready for deeper studies of various aspects of space science and technology.Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)
- Give examples of applications of space techniques and discuss its role in the society. Discuss ethical aspects, and consequences of the digitalization of society, from a space techniques point of view.
- Describe which subsystems a satellite has and what they are used for.
- Analyse satellite orbits using Kepler's laws and related equations.
- Sketch and analyse a ground track.
- Perform azimuth and elevation calculations.
- Explain perturbations on orbits and how they are used or counteracted for practical orbits.
- Describe how a rocket works and give advantages and disadvantages with different types of rockets.
- Perform simple calculations on spacecraft propulsion.
- Use the rocket equation for orbit transfer calculations.
- Describe the near-Earth environment.
- Describe the motion of charged particles in Earths magnetic field.
- Describe space environmental effects on spacecraft and spacecraft design.
- Perform simple calculations related to space environmental effects, in particular Single Event Effects.
- Calculate the equilibrium temperature of a satellite.
- Perform a link budget calculation.
- Perform simple calculations on electrical power systems used in spacecraft.
- Perform calculations (in simple geometry) related to attitude control.
- Perform reliability calculations on simple systems. Give examples of methods to increase the reliability of a spacecraft system.
- Use computer based tools to study ground track and space environmental effects on spacecraft.
Content
The course includes: * Keplers laws and related equations, orbit perturbations, GEO, LEO, Sun-synchronous orbits, spherical trigonometry, satellite tracking, ground tracks, orbits for different applications. * Launch vehicles and rockets (basic rocket principles, different types of rockets and propulsion systems, launch sequence) * Satellite subsystems (platform and payload, spin and three-axis stabilisation, electrical power, attitude and orbit control, telemetry, tracking and command, temperature control, reliability) * Satellite communication (antennas, receivers and transponders, noise, link budget) * Applications (e.g. telecommunication, remote sensing, navigation, astronomy, aeronomy) * Motion of charged particles in electromagnetic fields, basic plasma physics (definition of plasma, plasma oscillations, Debye shielding) * The Sun, solar activity, and the Sun's influence on the space environment and on spacecraft. * The near-Earth environment: the magnetosphere and plasmas, the radiation belts and cosmic rays, the upper atmosphere and ionosphere, auroras. * Environmental effects on spacecraft: plasma effects, ionizing radiation, neutral particles and drag, micrometeoroids and orbital debris, electromagnetic radiation and thermal effects, weightlessness and satellite attitude disturbances, space weather.Organisation
The course consists of lectures, exercises, and compulsory group work (project).Literature
- Spacecraft Systems Engineering by Fortescue, Swinerd & Stark (eds.) 4th ed.,
- compendium and/or handouts.
Examination including compulsory elements
The learning goals are examined through an active participation in the group work (project) and related report, and a written exam. Grading scale: Group work (fail, pass), written exam (fail, 3, 4, 5). To pass the course, both a passed group work and a passed written exam are required. The final grade is based on the result of the written exam.The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.