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Unit outline_

AERO2705: Space Engineering 1

Semester 2, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit aims to introduce students to the terminology, technology and current practice in the field of Space Engineering. Course content will include a variety of topics in the area of orbital mechanics, satellite systems and launch requirements. Case studies of current systems will be the focus of this unit.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
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(AERO1560 OR MECH1560 OR MTRX1701 OR ENGG1800) AND (MATH1001 OR MATH1021 OR MATH1901 OR MATH1921 OR MATH1906 OR MATH1931) AND (MATH1002 OR MATH1902) AND (MATH1003 OR MATH1023 OR MATH1903 OR MATH1923). Entry to this unit requires that students are eligible for the Space Engineering Major.
Corequisites
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None
Prohibitions
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None
Assumed knowledge
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ENGG1801. First Year Maths and basic MATLAB programming skills.

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Xiaofeng Wu, xiaofeng.wu@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Youngho Eun, youngho.eun@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Anne Bettens, anne.bettens@sydney.edu.au
Andrew Tang, andrew.tang@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment group assignment Student seminar
Each student group will present their design for the Optus project.
10% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3
Presentation group assignment Group project designed by Optus
Each group will develop a space system and submit a report within 20 pages.
30% Formal exam period
Due date: 11 Dec 2020 at 17:00
96+ hrs
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment Assignment 1
Students are required to solve theoretic questions in rocket dynamics.
20% Week 04
Due date: 18 Sep 2020 at 17:00
3 weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO6
Assignment Assignment 2
Students are required to solve theoretic questions in orbital mechanics.
20% Week 07
Due date: 16 Oct 2020 at 17:00
3 weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO6
Assignment Assignment 3
Students are required to solve theoretic questions in attitude dynamics.
20% Week 10
Due date: 06 Nov 2020 at 17:00
3 weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO3 LO2
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Assignment 1: Analysis and simulation of launch systems, calculation of simple orbital trajectories using standard equations of motion.
  • Assignment 2: Prediction of complex orbital trajectories. Numerical integration for prediction and correction of satellite positions.
  • Assignment 3: Estimation of spacecraft attitudes. This assignment will calculate external torques acting of spacecraft and determine the control torques required.
  • Group project: Space mission design and analysis project. This assignment is group-based. Peer assessment will be used to determine each student's mark for the group report. Each report has a page limit upto 20 pages
  • Presentation/seminar: Oral presentation of the design completed in conjunction with the group project.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

The student will receive 10% penalty per day for late submission.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction Lecture (2 hr) LO1
Week 02 Launch vehicle and rocket dynamics Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO6
Week 03 Orbital mechaics: Kepler's law Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO6
Week 04 Orbital mechanics: manoeuvres Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO6
Week 05 Orbital mechanics: interplanetary trajectories Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO6
Week 06 Orbital mechanics Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO6
Week 07 Attitude dynamics: sensors Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO5
Week 08 Attitude dynamics: control devices Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5
Week 09 Optus Guest Lecture Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 10 Optus Guest Lecture Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 11 Optus Guest Lecture Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 12 Summary Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

The lectures and tutorials will be delivered online via Zoom. The zoom meeting ids will be available on Canvas. 

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. research and discover relevant information for the design and analysis of space vehicles
  • LO2. organise and present findings to a peer group
  • LO3. work as a team member on a project and distribute workload evenly amongst members
  • LO4. be aware of the regulatory and liability requirements relating to all aspects of the space industry
  • LO5. undertake a simple satellite design project and present their findings both in report form and verbally
  • LO6. identify and predict various orbits and trajectories for space craft.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes Competency standards
LO1
Engineers Australia Curriculum Performance Indicators - EAPI
1. ENABLING SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE DEVELOPMENT
1.1. Developing underpinning capabilities in mathematics, physical, life and information sciences and engineering sciences, as appropriate to the designated field of practice.
1.2. Tackling technically challenging problems from first principles.
2. IN-DEPTH TECHNICAL COMPETENCE
2.1. Appropriate range and depth of learning in the technical domains comprising the field of practice informed by national and international benchmarks.
2.2. Application of enabling skills and knowledge to problem solution in these technical domains.
2.3. Meaningful engagement with current technical and professional practices and issues in the designated field.
3. PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
3.1. An ability to communicate with the engineering team and the community at large.
3.2. Information literacy and the ability to manage information and documentation.
3.3. Creativity and innovation.
3.4. An understanding of and commitment to ethical and professional responsibilities.
3.6. An ability to function as an individual and as a team leader and member in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams.
3.7. A capacity for lifelong learning and professional development and appropriate professional attitudes.
LO2
Engineers Australia Curriculum Performance Indicators - EAPI
3. PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
3.1. An ability to communicate with the engineering team and the community at large.
3.2. Information literacy and the ability to manage information and documentation.
3.3. Creativity and innovation.
3.4. An understanding of and commitment to ethical and professional responsibilities.
3.6. An ability to function as an individual and as a team leader and member in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams.
3.7. A capacity for lifelong learning and professional development and appropriate professional attitudes.
LO3
Engineers Australia Curriculum Performance Indicators - EAPI
3. PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
3.1. An ability to communicate with the engineering team and the community at large.
3.2. Information literacy and the ability to manage information and documentation.
3.3. Creativity and innovation.
3.4. An understanding of and commitment to ethical and professional responsibilities.
3.6. An ability to function as an individual and as a team leader and member in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams.
3.7. A capacity for lifelong learning and professional development and appropriate professional attitudes.
LO4
Engineers Australia Curriculum Performance Indicators - EAPI
1. ENABLING SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE DEVELOPMENT
1.2. Tackling technically challenging problems from first principles.
3. PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
3.2. Information literacy and the ability to manage information and documentation.
LO5
Engineers Australia Curriculum Performance Indicators - EAPI
2. IN-DEPTH TECHNICAL COMPETENCE
2.1. Appropriate range and depth of learning in the technical domains comprising the field of practice informed by national and international benchmarks.
2.2. Application of enabling skills and knowledge to problem solution in these technical domains.
2.3. Meaningful engagement with current technical and professional practices and issues in the designated field.
2.4. Advanced knowledge and capability development in one or more specialist areas through engagement with: (a) specific body of knowledge and emerging developments and (b) problems and situations of significant technical complexity.
4. ENGINEERING APPLICATION EXPERIENCE
4.1. Advanced level skills in the structured solution of complex and often ill defined problems.
4.2. Ability to use a systems approach to complex problems, and to design and operational performance.
4.3. Proficiency in the engineering design of components, systems and/or processes in accordance with specified and agreed performance criteria.
4.4. Skills in implementing and managing engineering projects within the bounds of time, budget, performance and quality assurance requirements.
4.5. An ability to undertake problem solving, design and project work within a broad contextual framework accommodating social, cultural, ethical, legal, political, economic and environmental responsibilities as well as within the principles of sustainable development and health and safety imperatives.
4.6. Skills in operating within a business environment, organisational and enterprise management and in the fundamental principles of business.
LO6
Engineers Australia Curriculum Performance Indicators - EAPI
1. ENABLING SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE DEVELOPMENT
1.1. Developing underpinning capabilities in mathematics, physical, life and information sciences and engineering sciences, as appropriate to the designated field of practice.
1.2. Tackling technically challenging problems from first principles.
2. IN-DEPTH TECHNICAL COMPETENCE
2.1. Appropriate range and depth of learning in the technical domains comprising the field of practice informed by national and international benchmarks.
2.2. Application of enabling skills and knowledge to problem solution in these technical domains.
2.3. Meaningful engagement with current technical and professional practices and issues in the designated field.
2.4. Advanced knowledge and capability development in one or more specialist areas through engagement with: (a) specific body of knowledge and emerging developments and (b) problems and situations of significant technical complexity.

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This UoS will involve an industrial lecture series delivered by Optus.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.