Aerospace Engineering

This course covers the fundamentals of inviscid and viscous incompressible fluid dynamics. Topics presented will be considered from the following: fluid kinematics and deformation; integral conservation laws of mass, momentum and energy for finite systems and control volumes; differential conservation laws of mass, momentum and energy; the Navier-Stokes equations; the streamfunction and the velocity potential. Applications will be considered from the following topics: hydrostatics; incompressible, inviscid, irrotational (potential) flows; incompressible boundary layer flows; viscous incompressible steady internal and external flows; and dimensional analysis.

Thermal engineering encompasses a broad range of topics that include the behavior of matter and energy and their interaction as part of a system with the surrounding environment. This course covers topics from the fields of thermodynamics and heat transfer. You will learn how to identify systems and to use thermodynamic analysis to describe the behavior of the system in terms of properties and processes. Heat transfer between systems is a fundamental part of many engineering disciplines. While thermodynamics provides the foundation for understanding the energy distribution in a system in equilibrium, heat transfer provides a means for determining the rates of energy transfer under a variety of conditions. Understanding how to apply these concepts is a powerful tool for the engineer, enabling the evaluation of material states (phases) under different conditions and the maximum efficiency achievable with various power cycles. After completing this course, you should be able to define and describe properties and processes used in thermodynamic analysis and the governing laws. You should also be able to define and describe the phenomena of conduction, convection, and radiation and apply the heat diffusion equation to determine the temperature distribution in objects subject to different thermal boundary conditions. Finally, you should be able to calculate the heat transfer rates for objects subject to different (and combined) modes of heat transfer.

This course introduces feedback control systems analysis and design for applications to aircraft and spacecraft. Topics include: linear dynamical systems modeling of aircraft and spacecraft motion, including linearization; identification and transient response analysis of typical modes of motion; time- and frequency domain analysis; Bode plots; criteria for stability; design of stability augmentation and, attitude and orbital control systems using linear state feedback or PID control; numerical simulation of controlled and uncontrolled aircraft and spacecraft motion.

An introductory course that covers the fundamentals of space flight. Topics studied include: two-body orbital dynamics, classification of orbits, and time of flight analysis; geocentric orbits and impulsive maneuvers: orbit shaping, escape trajectories, Hohmann and non-Hohmann transfers; orbital elements in 3D; interplanetary Hohmann and generalized transfers, intercepts, flybys.

This course provides a concise overview of statics and then focuses on basic stress analysis applied to simple aerospace structures. Topics in stress analysis include: concepts of stress and strain; basic constitutive relations; one-dimensional response to axial loading; thermal stresses; statically determinate and indeterminate problems; shear forces, bending moments, bending stresses and deflections in beams with symmetric cross-sections; two-dimensional stress transformation and Mohr’s circle; and an introduction to energy methods in structural analysis.

In this course, students are introduced to experimental and data analysis techniques in modern aerospace engineering measurement methods and experimentation, based on electronic instrumentation and computer-based data acquisition systems. Students are also introduced in principles of instrumentation, with laboratory periods that provide an opportunity to use modern devices in actual experiments. Lecture topics include review of experimentation and measurement fundamentals, discussion of standards, experiment planning and design, data acquisition, analysis of experimental data, error propagation, uncertainty estimation, and report writing. Laboratory experiments include flow visualization and property measurement, force/torque/strain measurement, motion/vibration measurement, control systems, and temperature measurement. Laboratory experiments incorporate data science methods such as data decomposition, regression, filtering, distributions, optimization, estimation, prediction.

In this course, students are introduced to various compressibility phenomena such as compression (shock) and expansion waves. Conservation laws and thermodynamic principles are applied to the description of flows in which compressibility effects are significant. One-dimensional models are applied to analysis of flow in variable area ducts, normal and oblique shock waves, expansion waves, and flows with friction and heat addition. Numerous applications from engineering are investigated including supersonic inlets, rocket nozzles, supersonic wind tunnels, gas delivery systems, and afterburning jet engines.

This course introduces students to the aerodynamics of airfoils, wings, and aircraft in the subsonic and supersonic regimes. Topics covered include: prediction of aerodynamic forces (lift, drag) and moments, dynamic similarity, experimental techniques in aerodynamics, Kutta-Joukowski theorem, circulation, thin airfoil theory, panel methods, finite wing theory, subsonic compressible flow over airfoils, linearized supersonic flow, and viscous flow over airfoils.

This course covers methods and current technologies in the analysis, synthesis, and practice of aerospace guidance, navigation, and communications systems. Topics covered include: attitude- and position kinematics, inertial navigation systems, global satellite navigation systems, communication architectures for satellite navigation, satellite link performance parameters and design considerations, tropospheric and ionospheric effects on radio-wave propagation, least squares estimation, and the Kalman filter.

This course focuses on intermediate-level topics in stress analysis relevant to aerospace structures. Topics include: buckling under centric and eccentric loadings with and without lateral loads applied; torsion of solid circular and noncircular cross sections; torsion of thin-walled multi-celled members; flexural shear flow in and shear center of thin walled multi-celled members; bending stresses in beams with unsymmetric cross sections; stresses under combined loadings; and three-dimensional states of stress. The laboratory component of this course provides testing and measurement experience related to buckling of columns under a variety of loadings and support conditions; and to the determination of the shear center and bending response of beams with unsymmetric cross sections.

This course provides an overview of the processing techniques and mechanical behavior of composite materials relevant to aerospace applications. Topics in this course may include: classification of composites; elasticity of composite materials; the effect of reinforcements on strength and toughness; bonding mechanisms of interfaces in composite; fabrication methods for polymer-matrix composite materials; viscoelasticity and creep of composites; advanced composites materials (bio-composites, nano-composites).

This course introduces the principles of operation of air-breathing engines, including gas-turbines (turbojets, turbofans, and turboprops), ramjets, and scramjets. Topics covered include: engine thrust and efficiency analysis; working principles and performance analysis of diffusers, compressors, combustors, and nozzles; parametric cycle analysis; effect of irreversibilities on performance. The topics covered are also relevant to the operation of gas-turbines used for power generation.

This course provides a study of rocket propulsion systems for launch vehicles and spacecraft. Dynamics, performance, and optimization of rocket-propelled vehicles are presented. Performance and component analysis of chemical propulsion systems are covered including flight dynamics, vehicle staging, nozzle design, and thermochemistry of bipropellant and monopropellant thrusters. Different classes of electric thrusters are introduced along with the concept of optimal specific impulse.

This course covers models of fixed-wing aircraft dynamics, and the design of aircraft control systems. Topics include: aircraft performance, longitudinal and lateral flight dynamics, simulation methodologies, natural modes of motion, static and dynamic stability, and aircraft control systems (such as autopilot design, flight path control, and automatic landing).

The course covers broad topics in spacecraft attitude dynamics, stability and control. The course includes a review of particle and two-body dynamics and introduction to rigid body dynamics. Orbital and attitude maneuvers are presented. Attitude control devices and momentum exchange techniques such as spinners, dual spinners, gravity gradient, and geomagnetic torques are presented. Attitude sensors/actuators are presented and the attitude control problem is introduced. Open-loop stability analysis for a variety of equilibrium conditions is discussed. Control using momentum exchange and mass expulsion (thrusters) devices is discussed. The analyses and designs will be implemented using scientific computing software such as MATLAB®.

This course introduces the analysis of vibrations of flexible bodies encountered as elements of aircraft and space structures. Topics include: modeling of aerospace structures with lumped parameters using Newton’s Law and Lagrange’s equations, free- and forced- vibration response of single degree of freedom systems and multi-degree of freedom systems, design of simplified vibration absorption systems, dynamic testing, modal analysis for determining structural response of lumped and continuous systems.

This course introduces students to design of aircraft systems. Students complete a conceptual design of an aircraft in a term-long project. Students are exposed to the aircraft design process, and must establish design specifications, develop and analyze alternative designs, and optimize their designs to meet mission requirements. Students work together in teams to apply material learned in the areas of aerodynamics, aerospace materials, structures, propulsion, flight mechanics, and stability and control, to the preliminary design of an aircraft. The project requirements are selected to reflect real-life aircraft mission requirements, and teams are required to design systems which incorporate appropriate engineering standards and multiple realistic constraints. The teams present their design in a final report and oral presentation.

This course introduces students to design of spacecraft and missions. Students are introduced to the process of designing a spacecraft and major subsystems to meet a specific set of objectives or needs. In addition, students will learn about different spacecraft subsystems and what factors drive their design. Students complete a term-long spacecraft design project conducted by teams. The project addresses orbital mechanics, the space environment, attitude determination and control, telecommunications, space structures, and propulsion, along with other spacecraft subsystems. The project requirements are selected to reflect real-life missions, and teams are required to design systems which incorporate appropriate engineering standards and multiple realistic constraints. The teams present their design in a final report and oral presentation.

This course introduces the ambient atmospheric and space environments encountered by aerospace vehicles. Topics include: the sun and solar activity; the solar wind; planetary magnetospheres; planetary atmospheres; radiation environments; galactic cosmic rays; meteoroids; and space debris.