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Unit outline_

AERO4701: Space Engineering 3

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit aims to teach students the fundamental principles and methods of designing solutions to estimation and control problems in aerospace engineering applications. Students will apply learned techniques in estimation and control theory to solving a wide range of different problems in engineering such as satellite orbit determination, orbit transfers, satellite attitude determination, satellite positioning systems and remote sensing. Students will learn to recognise and appreciate the coupling between the different elements within an estimation and control task, from a systems-theoretic perspective. Students will learn to use this system knowledge and basic design principles to design and test a solution to a given estimation task, with a focus on aerospace applications (such as satellite remote sensing).

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
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65% average in {[AERO3360 and (AERO2460 or AERO3460) and AERO3560 and AERO3760] or [AERO3760 and MECH3261 and MECH3361 and (MECH2460 or MECH3660)] or [AERO3760 and AMME3500 and (MECH2460 or MECH3660) and MTRX3700]} and must have passed AERO3760. Students must have achieved a 65% average mark in 3rd year for enrolment in this unit.
Corequisites
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None
Prohibitions
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None
Assumed knowledge
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None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Xiaofeng Wu, xiaofeng.wu@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Xiaofeng Wu, xiaofeng.wu@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Julian Guinane, julian.guinane@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 April 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Preliminary design review
A preliminary design report on the satellite missions.
30% Week 04
Due date: 15 Mar 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 22 Mar 2024
4 weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7 LO8
Assignment Critical design review
A critical design review report on the satellite design.
40% Week 09
Due date: 26 Apr 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 03 May 2024
5 weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO4 LO5 LO7 LO8
Assignment Assembly, integration and test report
An assembly, integration and test report / a complete satellite demo.
30% Week 13
Due date: 24 May 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 31 May 2024
4 weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7 LO1

Assessment summary

This course will have three major assignments.

Part I: Preliminary Design Review (30%)

1. The students will perform the preliminary design given the requirements in groups; Each group will submit a preliminary design review report based on the preliminary designs (20% of the course mark);
2. Each group will give a presentation based on the preliminary design (10% of the course mark);

Part II: Critical Design Review (40%)
3. The students will submit a critical design review report based on the mock-up satellite hardware and software designs and functional testing results (30% of the course mark);
4. Each group will give a presentation based on the critical design (10% of the course mark);

Part III: Assembly, Integration and Test (30%)
5. The students will build a mock-up satellite by assembly, integration and test of the preliminary design with real hardware and software (20% of the course mark);
6. Each group will submit an Assembly, Integration and Test report (10%);


7. Each student will be assessed according to his/her quality of work as shown in the group reports and products. Peer assessement will be used to determine each student’s work in each assignment.

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:

After the deadline, the student/group will receive 5% late penalty for each day.

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction and system engineering Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5
Week 02 Preliminary design practice/lecture/guest lecture Project (4 hr) LO3 LO5 LO8
Week 03 Preliminary design practice/lecture/guest lecture/progress review Project (4 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 04 Preliminary design practice/lecture/guest lecture/progress review Project (4 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 05 Preliminary design review Presentation (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 06 Satellite subsystem design/lecture/guest lecture/progress review Project (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 07 Satellite subsystem design/lecture/guest lecture/progress review Project (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 08 Satellite subsystem design/lecture/guest lecture/progress review Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 09 Satellite subsystem design/lecture/guest lecture/progress review Project (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 10 Satellite subsystem design/lecture/guest lecture/progress review Project (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 11 Satellite assembly and functional testing/progress review Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 12 Satellite assembly and functional testing/progress review Project (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 13 Critical design review/demonstration Project (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Weekly The students need to work in groups on the project at least 8 hours per week. Independent study (104 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8

Attendance and class requirements

1. Each student shall join a group to complete the assignment tasks;

2. Each student shall attend the tutorials for the group design activities;

3. Each student shall attend the lectures to participate in group discussions.

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. have obtained knowledge of system engineering aspects of designing spacecraft
  • LO2. have obtained knowledge of spacecraft bus subsystems & design
  • LO3. perform space mission analysis & design
  • LO4. have obtained knowledge of the space environment & its effects
  • LO5. have obtained knowledge of applications of small, low-cost satellites
  • LO6. communicate the design philosophy as well as the results
  • LO7. document the design process in sufficient detail that another engineer can continue on with the work just by going through the log book
  • LO8. design as a team of engineers.

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

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

Each student will be asked to provide a 3-minute update of his/her work on the project each week to make sure all the students are actively involved in the project. Peer assessment will be implemented for all the tasks.

Work, health and safety

The students must follow the WHS requirements when working in the labs.

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.