Teach Yourself AeroAstro: Ode to the Accidental Spacecraft Engineer

Teach Yourself AeroAstro: Ode to the Accidental Spacecraft Engineer

I have put together a great studying resource for anyone interested in spacecraft and rockets [1]. The study of spacecraft and rockets is a fascinating endeavor that can take you on amazing adventures. It can also lead to an exciting career in the aerospace industry. But even if you never pursue a career in this field, learning about spacecraft and rockets will give you a deeper understanding of our universe and our place within it. So what are you waiting for? Start teaching yourself aerospace engineering [2] today!

Notes:

[1] If you’re like me (space enthusiast) and you’re interested in small satellites development or liquid rocket engine design philosophy as well as its combustion dynamics then please consider exploring this resource! It has a wealth of information on both subjects, and it’s constantly being updated with new content.

[2] Aerospace engineering is the primary field of engineering concerned with the design, development, testing and production of aircraft, spacecraft, and rockets. It has two major branches: aeronautical engineering and astronautical engineering. Aeronautical engineers primarily focus on aircraft while astronautical engineers focus on spacecraft and rockets.

Fundamentals of Aerospace Engineering

• Design-Centered Introduction to Aerospace Engineering
• MIT Aerospace Engineering Open Courseware
• CubeSat Developers Workshop Presentation Archive
• CubeSat Developers Workshop YouTube Playlists
• CubeSat Developers Workshop Seminar

Space Mission Design

• Designing a Space Mission
• ECSS Engineering Standards
• Tailored ECSS Engineering Standards for In-Orbit Demonstration CubeSat Projects
• How to Select a Launch Vehicle and Payload Integration
• NASA Green Book on Mission Design
• The Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems Publications
• Success Handbook for Cubesat Missions

Spacecraft Design

• NASA CubeSat 101: Basic Concepts and Processes for First-Time CubeSat Developers
• 1U-3U CubeSat Design Specification
• 6U Design Specification
• Elements of Spacecraft Design by Charles D.Brown
• Analytical Mechanics of Space Systems by Schaub and Junkins
• Orbital Mechanics and Keplers 3 Laws
• Spacecraft Dynamics and Control
• NASA State-of-art for Spacecraft Technology

Mission Confidence Framework

This work is largely based on books, articles, white papers, blog posts, research papers, conference talks and other work authored by a lot of people.

1. Conceptual Design
   • Mission Architecture Design
   • Mission Simulation and Analysis
2. Planning and Management
   • Planning for Mission Success
   • Assembling a Team
   • Scheduling
   • Cost Estimation
   • Reporting and Documentation
   • Licensing and Regulations
   • Design Reviews
3. Detailed Design and Analysis
   • Orbit Design and Analysis
   • ConOps Planning and Autonomy

3.1 Mechanical and Thermal

• Mechanical and Thermal Design
• Material Selection
• Structural Analysis
• Thermal Analysis
• Mechanical Fault Tree Analysis

3.2 Electrical

• Circuit Design
• Board Layout
• Part Selection
• Circuit Analysis
• Radiation Analysis
• Numerical Reliability Analysis

3.3 Embedded Software Firmware

• Development
• Testing
• Timing Analysis

3.4 Flight Software

• Development
• Testing

3.5 Subsystem Design

• Attitude Determination and Control
• Propulsion
• Electrical Power
• Communications
• Command and Data Handling

1. Manufacturing
   • Electronics Manufacturing
   • Mechanical Assembly
2. Integration and Test
   • Integration
   • Day-in-the-Life Testing
   • Electromagnetic Interference /Electromagnetic Compatibility
   • Accelerated Life Testing
   • Electronics Functional Testing
   • Bake Out

5.1 Radiation Testing

• Single Event Effects Testing
• Total Ionizing Dose Testing

5.2 Launch Environment Testing

• Shock Testing
• Vibration Testing
• Acoustic Testing

5.3 Thermal Testing

• Thermal Balance
• Thermal Cycling
• Thermal Vacuum
• Burn-In

5.4 Subsystem Testing

• Attitude Determination and Control
• Propulsion
• Electrical Power
• Command and Data Handling

1. Launch
   • Launch Procurement
   • Spacecraft Transportation
2. Operations
   • Commissioning
   • On-Orbit Fault Recovery
   • Deorbit and Closeout

Rockets, Launch Vehicles, and Propulsion Technologies

• Rocket Deep Dives by Everyday Astronaut on YouTube
• Rocket Science 101: Engineering and Propulsion
• NASA Beginner’s Guide to Rockets Web-book
• The History of Space Flight by Professor James Schombert
• Rockets and Launch Vehicles by FAA
• Design of Rockets and Space Launch Vehicles Textbook
• Rocket Propulsion Elements Textbook 7th.ed
• Understanding Thermodynamics by H.C. Van Ness
• Fundamentals of Thermodynamics by Borgnakke, Claus; Sonntag, Richard E- 10th edition
• Thermodynamics and Propulsion Textbook
• Vehicle Design & Performance - “Understanding Space: An Introduction to Astronautics”, Larson, 3rd ed., McGraw Hill, 2007; ISBN: 9780077230302
• Rocket Propulsion – “Rocket Propulsion Elements”, Biblarz, 8th ed., Wiley & Sons, 2009; ISBN: 9780470080245
• Hill, P. G. & Peterson, C. R. (1992). Mechanics and Thermodynamics of Propulsion, 2nd Edition, Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, Inc., Reading, MA.
• B. Palaszewski. February 1997. “Propellant Technologies: A Persuasive Wave of Future Propulsion Benefits.” NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH.
• Turner, M. J. L. (2000). Rocket and Spacecraft Propulsion, Springer-Praxis Publishing Ltd, Chichester, UK.
• Sutton, G.P., “History of Liquid Rocket Engines,” American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Reston, Virginia (2006)
• K. Huzel & D.H. Huang, “Modern Engineering for Design of Liquid-Propellant Rocket Engines,” Vol. 147, Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics, Published by AIAA, Washington DC., 1992, ISBN 1-56347-013
• Yang, V et. al, “Liquid Rocket Thrust Chambers: Aspects of Modeling, Analysis, and Design,” Vol. 200, Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics, Published by AIAA, Washington DC, 2004, ISBN 1-56347-223-6, pp 403-43
• Oberkampf, W.L. & Trucano, T.G. “Verification and Validation in Computational Fluid Dynamics,” Vol. 38, Progress in Aerospace Sciences, 200 Pp. 209-27
• Spores, R. A., Masse, R., Kimbrel, S., McLean, C., “GPIM AF-M315E Propulsion System,” AIAA-2013-3849, 49th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, July 14-17, 2013.

Astronomy

Free astronomy classes by Professor James Schombert.

• 21st Century Science My favorite
• The Formation and Evolution of the Solar System
• Birth and Death of Stars
• Galaxies and the Expanding Universe
• Cosmology

Code

$ Okay, Houston,
$ Here you can study open-source aerospace engineering materials curated by Alexander.

Link

GitHub

Blockquote

“For the pursuit of knowledge in near-space, space, and beyond.” - CSI