Introduction to Spacecraft Technology

What it is about

You learn the basics of aerospace engineering: space environment, orbital mechanics, spacecraft and launcher systems, as well as mission planning. In the end you will be able to make simplified design decisions for space missions and present technical results in a team.

What you will be able to do

• Understand societal, economic and political drivers of spaceflight
• Know involved scientific and engineering disciplines
• Acquire basic knowledge about the space environment and mission life cycle
• Master fundamentals of orbital mechanics, spacecraft and launcher systems
• Apply simplified engineering tradeoffs in mission designs
• Convey technical results clearly to a broader audience
• Carry out teamwork to achieve common goals

What the module consists of

• VorlesungConveying the fundamentals of spaceflight, space environment, orbital mechanics, spacecraft and launcher systems
• Übung / Mission DesignApplying what has been learned in a group-based design and practice section with simplified tradeoffs

Teaching method

• VorlesungenIntroduction to theory and system overview
• Übungsprojekt / GamificationApplying fundamental engineering methods and tools to develop a mission design in a team
• Präsentationen und aktuelle ForschungspapiereCommunication of technical results and inclusion of current topics
• E-Learning und Software-ToolsSupport for self-study and technical calculations