ELEC-E4240 - Satellite Systems D, Lecture, 24.2.2025-4.6.2025

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Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

  • After the course the student can comfortably work in an entry level space project. 
  • The student can design a simple spacecraft for a given payload and desired orbit.
  • The student knows basic terminology and project structure used in space projects. 
  • The student can name spacecraft components and describe relation between the components.  
  • The student can estimate key performance parameters of a satellite mission and select needed subsystems.
  • He/she can work with spacecraft systems engineering concepts such as budgets, requirements and trade-offs. 
  • The student is aware of quality assurance practices in space projects and is able to outline basic tests for subsystems.

Credits: 5

Schedule: 24.02.2025 - 04.06.2025

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Jaan Praks, Esa Kallio

Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):

CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):

Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):

Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    • Space technology field. Space agencies, space programs, private sector.
    • Space environment. Technical challenges in space. Electronics and materials in space.
    • Space mission design. Requirement formulation.
    • Spacecraft subsystems; communication, power, data handling, attitude, propulsion, structure, payloads.
    • Systems engineering practices and concepts. Spacecraft budgets, mass, power, link and data budgets.
    • Quality and product assurance in space projects.Testing and qualification. Model philosophy. 
    • Space project documentation and management practices. Space specific standards.
    • CubeSat. Lean space technology. NewSpace. Trends and developments.

Assessment Methods and Criteria

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Homework exercises, space mission project and examination.

Workload

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Contact teaching: lectures and workshops weekly. Independent work: homework exercises, space mission project.

DETAILS

Study Material

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Lecture recordings and slides. Delivered material. Course book: Peter Fortescue, John Stark, Graham Swiner, "Spacecraft Systems Engineering".

Substitutes for Courses
Prerequisites

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Teaching Language: English

    Teaching Period: 2024-2025 Spring IV - V
    2025-2026 Spring IV - V

Rules of Conduct - Students´ Rights and Responsibilities (in force from 1 August 2020)

Aalto University Code of Academic Integrity and Handling Violations Thereof