Spacecraft design | EPFL Graph Search

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The design of spacecraft covers a broad area, including the design of both robotic spacecraft (satellites and planetary probes), and spacecraft for human spaceflight (spaceships and space stations). Spacecraft design was born as a discipline in the 1950s and 60s with the advent of American and Soviet space exploration programs. Since then it has progressed, although typically less than comparable terrestrial technologies. This is for a large part due to the challenging space environment, but also to the lack of basic R&D, and to other cultural factors within the design community. On the other hand, another reason for slow space travel application design is the high energy cost, and low efficiency, for achieving orbit. This cost might be seen as too high a "start-up-cost." Spacecraft design brings together aspects of various disciplines, namely: Astronautics for mission design and derivation of the design requirements, Systems engineering for maintaining the design baseline and derivation of subsystem requirements, Communications engineering for the design of the subsystems which communicate with the ground (e.g. telemetry) and perform ranging. Computer engineering for the design of the on-board computers and computer buses. This subsystem is mainly based on terrestrial technologies, but unlike most of them, it must: cope with space environment, be highly autonomous and provide higher fault-tolerance. It may incorporate space qualified radiation-hardened components. Software engineering for the on-board software which runs all the on-board applications, as well as low-level control software.

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Spacecraft design

Space exploration

Space exploration is the use of astronomy and space technology to explore outer space. While the exploration of space is carried out mainly by astronomers with telescopes, its physical exploration is conducted both by uncrewed robotic space probes and human spaceflight. Space exploration, like its classical form astronomy, is one of the main sources for space science. While the observation of objects in space, known as astronomy, predates reliable recorded history, it was the development of large and relatively efficient rockets during the mid-twentieth century that allowed physical space exploration to become a reality.

Spacecraft propulsion

Spacecraft propulsion is any method used to accelerate spacecraft and artificial satellites. In-space propulsion exclusively deals with propulsion systems used in the vacuum of space and should not be confused with space launch or atmospheric entry. Several methods of pragmatic spacecraft propulsion have been developed, each having its own drawbacks and advantages. Most satellites have simple reliable chemical thrusters (often monopropellant rockets) or resistojet rockets for orbital station-keeping and some use momentum wheels for attitude control.

Learn the concepts used in the design of space missions, manned or unmanned, and operations, based on the professional experience of the lecturer.

ENG-411: Concurrent engineering challenge

The main objective of this course is to teach the students the fundamentals of concurrent engineering for space missions and systems. The course is built around a similar framework to that of the Euro

EE-584: Spacecraft design and system engineering

The main objective of the course is to learn to apply the fundamentals of space system engineering & design. The course introduces the various phases, systems, & subsystems involved in the design of s

ENG-510: Space propulsion

The main objective of the course is to provide an overview of space propulsion systems. The course will also describe the basic design principles of propulsion systems.

Lessons from Space Exploration EE-582: Lessons learned from the space exploration

Delves into the history of space conquest, focusing on the Moon race and the success of the Apollo program.

Radiation Balance in Spacecraft Design MOOC: Space Mission Design and Operations

Explains radiation balance in spacecraft design, including solar flux and material properties.

Slingshot Maneuver MOOC: Space Mission Design and Operations

Explores the slingshot maneuver in space mission design using real mission examples.