USC Department of Astronautical Engineering

Catalogue Description
Coordinate systems and transformations. Spherical trigonometry. Filtering and estimation. Spacecraft orbits and orbital maneuvers. Rocket propulsion, spacecraft attitude dynamics, spacecraft communications, and space environment.

Course Description
This course is a broad introduction to basic topics in astronautics as well as spacecraft systems. It has the following major topics: Mathematics of coordinate systems and transformations; spacecraft orbits and orbital maneuvers; space environment; rocket engines and rocket vehicles; spacecraft attitude dynamics and control; telecommunications; space power systems; spacecraft structures; thermal protection systems; and spacecraft payloads. This course is required for the B.S. degree in Astronautical Engineering, and is typically taken in the second year.

Vincent L. Pisacane, Fundamentals of Space Systems, 2nd ed. Oxford, 2005. ISBN 978-0195162059.

Space Mission Engineering: The New SMAD, James R. Wertz, David F. Everett and Jeffery J. Puschell, eds. Microcosm, 2011. ISBN 978-1881883159.

Week	Date	Topics
1	01/13 & 01/15	Class organization. Intro to spacecraft systems, design, operations. Length scales: Solar system and astronomical unit. Coordinate Systems and Transformations Types of coordinate systems. Rotations and rotation matrices. Spherical polar coordinates. Orientations: Roll-pitch-yaw and Euler angles. Quaternions. ECI to ECEF transformation. Universal time and Julian date. Solar and sidereal time. Orbital Mechanics Gravitational parameter. Solar system data.
2	01/20 & 01/22	Circular orbits. Two-body motion: angular momentum; energy and velocity on orbit. Conic sections. Time since periapsis for elliptical orbits. Classical orbital elements. Flight path angle.
3	01/27 & 01/29	Geostationary and Molniya orbits. Orbital perturbations. Ground track. Hyperbolic orbits. Oberth maneuver. Determining orbital elements from position and velocity. Spacecraft field of view.
4	02/03 & 02/05	Orbital maneuvers. Instantaneous Delta-V. Hohmann transfers. Plane changes. Bielliptic transfers. Fast transfers. Gravity assist. Interplanetary trajectories. Synodic period.
5	02/10 & 02/12	Space Environment Components of space environment: Microgravity, radiation, atmospheric drag, debris. Solar output: EM spectrum, solar wind. Cosmic rays. Geomagnetic field. Van Allen belts. South Atlantic anomaly. IGRF model. Effects on electronics: single-event upsets (SEUs) and latch-ups. Radiation-tolerant and radiation-hardened electronics. Shielding to protect electronics. SPENVIS program for calculating radiation exposure in Earth orbit. Spacecraft charging and contamination.
6	02/17 & 02/19	Rockets and Space Vehicles Intro to rocket vehicles. Rocket equation. Momentum and pressure thrust. Specific impulse. Liquid-fueled rockets. Thrust coefficient and characteristic velocity. FIRST MIDTERM EXAM.
7	02/24 & 02/26	Optimal nozzle exit area. Solid-fueled rocket motors. Performance of rocket vehicles. Atmospheric drag. Stability of solid rocket combustion. Gravity turn. Staging. Launch sites.
8	03/03 & 03/05	Spacecraft Propulsion Need for onboard propulsion: Orbit insertion, stationkeeping, attitude control. Ideal gas law. Spacecraft propulsion system components: Tanks, thrusters, manifolds, valves. Examples. Attitude Control System Functions of ACS: Stability, attitude determination, slewing, pointing accuracy. Components: Sensors (star trackers, sun sensors, gyros, magnetometers) and actuators (reaction wheels, gyros, thrusters, torque rods). Moment of inertia tensor. Parallel axis theorem including similarity transform. Addition of mass to align principal axes. Angular velocity and angular momentum. Transformation of time derivatives between rotating and inertial frames. Euler's equations.
9	03/10 & 03/12	Rate of change of Euler angles and quaternion. Full equations of motion for rigid body rotation. External torques on spacecraft. Attitude sensing. Gravity-gradient stabilization. Attitude control: Thrusters and reaction wheels. Angular momentum dumping. Gyroscopic forces. Control-moment and rate gyros. Magnetic torque rods. ACS architectures: Spinning, 3-axis stabilized, momentum bias. Intro to Unix.
		SPRING BREAK
10	03/24 & 03/26	Telecommunications Functions of telecom: Command reception, telemetry transmission, and ranging. Components: High-, medium-, and low-gain antennas, transponders, amplifiers. Gain and loss in decibels. Equivalent isotropic radiated power (EIRP). Frequency bands. Loss mechanisms. Noise temperature. Signal to noise ratio (SNR). Link budget. Error correction. Examples. Lessons learned from past missions. Power Subsystem Electric circuits: voltage, current, power, resistors, diodes, MOSFETs. Shunts. Photovoltaic solar arrays: I-V characteristics, temperature variation, radiation degradation.
11	03/31 & 04/02	Coverglass properties. Thermal cycling. Radioisotope thermal generators (RTGs). Energy storage: Batteries, fuel cells. Power conditioning systems. Load prioritization.
12	04/07 & 04/09	Solar array and battery sizing. Examples. Spacecraft Structures Launch vehicle characteristics: Acceleration and vibration, fairings, payload attachment fittings (PAFs). Materials: Metals, composites, sandwich structures. Deployment mechanisms for solar arrays, booms, and antennas. Structural dynamics. SECOND MIDTERM EXAM.
13	04/14 & 04/16	Resonant frequencies. Lumped-mass approximation. Stiffness analysis using NX. Examples. Thermal Subsystem Active vs. passive thermal control. Components: Multilayer insulation (MLI), heaters, louvers, heat pipes, thermal coatings. Thermal sources: Sun, Earth, spacecraft subsystems.
14	04/21 & 04/23	Blackbody radiation. Radiative and conductive heat transfer. Lumped approximation for time-dependent heat transfer equations. Thermal modeling using Thermal Desktop. Examples.
15	04/28 & 04/30	Payloads Types of payloads. Payload-specific requirements: thermal, pointing, radiation shielding. Integration with bus subsystems for power, data, and thermal management. Trade-offs: remote sensing vs. in situ payloads. Field-of-view, mass, and power constraints. Imaging telescope design. Examples. Lessons learned from payload failures.

Course Content Distribution and Synchronous Session Recordings Policies

Recording a university class without the express permission of the instructor and announcement to the class, or unless conducted pursuant to an Office of Student Accessibility Services (OSAS) accommodation. Recording can inhibit free discussion in the future, and thus infringe on the academic freedom of other students as well as the instructor. (Living our Unifying Values: The USC Student Handbook, page 13).

Distribution or use of notes, recordings, exams, or other intellectual property, based on university classes or lectures without the express permission of the instructor for purposes other than individual or group study. This includes but is not limited to providing materials for distribution by services publishing course materials. This restriction on unauthorized use also applies to all information, which had been distributed to students or in any way had been displayed for use in relation to the class, whether obtained in class, via email, on the internet, or via any other media. Distributing course material without the instructor’s permission will be presumed to be an intentional act to facilitate or enable academic dishonestly and is strictly prohibited. (Living our Unifying Values: The USC Student Handbook, page 13).

Academic Integrity

This course will follow the expectations for academic integrity as stated in the USC Student Handbook. All students are expected to submit assignments that are original work and prepared specifically for the course/section in this academic term. You may not submit work written by others or “recycle” work prepared for other courses without obtaining written permission from the instructor(s). Students suspected of engaging in academic misconduct will be reported to the Office of Academic Integrity.

Other violations of academic misconduct include, but are not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, fabrication (e.g., falsifying data), knowingly assisting others in acts of academic dishonesty, and any act that gains or is intended to gain an unfair academic advantage.

Academic dishonesty has a far-reaching impact and is considered a serious offense against the university. Violations will result in a grade penalty, such as a failing grade on the assignment or in the course, and disciplinary action from the university itself, such as suspension or even expulsion.

Please ask your instructor if you are unsure what constitutes unauthorized assistance on an exam or assignment or what information requires citation and/or attribution.

Statement on University Academic Conduct and Support Systems

Students and Disability Accommodations:

Student Financial Aid and Satisfactory Academic Progress:

Support Systems:

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline — 988 for both calls and text messages – 24/7 on call
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States. The Lifeline consists of a national network of over 200 local crisis centers, combining custom local care and resources with national standards and best practices. The new, shorter phone number makes it easier for people to remember and access mental health crisis services (though the previous 1 (800) 273-8255 number will continue to function indefinitely) and represents a continued commitment to those in crisis.

Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention Services (RSVP) — (213) 740-9355(WELL) — 24/7 on call
Free and confidential therapy services, workshops, and training for situations related to gender- and power-based harm (including sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and stalking).

Office for Equity, Equal Opportunity, and Title IX (EEO-TIX) — (213) 740-5086
Information about how to get help or help someone affected by harassment or discrimination, rights of protected classes, reporting options, and additional resources for students, faculty, staff, visitors, and applicants.

Reporting Incidents of Bias or Harassment — (213) 740-2500
Avenue to report incidents of bias, hate crimes, and microaggressions to the Office for Equity, Equal Opportunity, and Title for appropriate investigation, supportive measures, and response.

The Office of Student Accessibility Services (OSAS) — (213) 740-0776
OSAS ensures equal access for students with disabilities through providing academic accommodations and auxiliary aids in accordance with federal laws and university policy.

USC Campus Support and Intervention — (213) 740-0411
Assists students and families in resolving complex personal, financial, and academic issues adversely affecting their success as a student.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion — (213) 740-2101
Information on events, programs and training, the Provost’s Diversity and Inclusion Council, Diversity Liaisons for each academic school, chronology, participation, and various resources for students.

USC Emergency — UPC: (213) 740-4321, HSC: (323) 442-1000 — 24/7 on call
Emergency assistance and avenue to report a crime. Latest updates regarding safety, including ways in which instruction will be continued if an officially declared emergency makes travel to campus infeasible.

USC Department of Public Safety — UPC: (213) 740-6000, HSC: (323) 442-1200 — 24/7 on call
Non-emergency assistance or information.

Office of the Ombuds — (213) 821-9556 (UPC) / (323-442-0382 (HSC)
A safe and confidential place to share your USC-related issues with a University Ombuds who will work with you to explore options or paths to manage your concern.