The space systems design module is being set up to introduce spacecraft engineering design from a system level perspective. The module is to be offered to final year M.E. and M.Sc. students and it aims to introduce students to the topic of spacecraft flight and spacecraft subsystems and enable them to develop an understanding of the basic analytical techniques and the key concepts in this area. On completion this course students will have a basic understanding of spacecraft applications, mechanics of orbits, basics of spacecraft propulsion, thermal design, power systems, communications systems, attitude control systems and the influence of the space environment on spacecraft design. The fundamental knowledge provided in this course will involve: (i) knowledge of the space environment and its effects on spacecraft systems; (ii) determination of space missions requirements for both spacecraft systems and payloads; (iii) knowledge of orbital mechanics and space mission design; (iv) understanding of spacecraft systems design and analysis.

The syllabus incorporates the most relevant elements for the design of spacecraft systems as • Launch and extra atmospheric environments (S1): sources of mechanical excitation during spacecraft launch, and during space operations • Keplerian Orbits (S2): orbits, orbit manoeuvre and orbit design • Spacecraft Systems and Payloads (S3): systems approach to spacecraft design, including mission and payloads requirements, key design drivers and mission objectives • Attitude Determination and Control (S4): laws of dynamics applicable to spacecraft and different types of spacecraft attitude stabilisation systems • Thermal Control (S5): thermal control in space including passive and active systems, thermal mathematical models and interfaces with the thermal control subsystem. • Propulsion (S6): key types of spacecraft propulsion systems and propulsion system analysis • Electrical Power Raising and Supply (S7): spacecraft power subsystem, battery and solar array cells and sizing of a power subsystem • Telecommunications (S8): spacecraft design drivers for telecommunications subsystems

Having successfully completed the module, the students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of spacecraft systems design, starting from the definition of the mission requirements to the final spacecraft operation. In particular, students will be able to: • Identify the various environmental factors that influence spacecraft design and be able to describe these factors and their effects on spacecraft systems (LO1) • Derive and determine delta vee requirements and order of required burns for orbital manoeuvres and plane change manoeuvres (LO2) • Describe the technologies employed in spacecraft systems and be able to undertake basic analysis of space systems requirements and sizing. (LO3) • Perform basic analysis of requirements for attitude control systems (LO4) • Execute basic analysis of thermal equilibrium of a spacecraft (LO5) • Undertake analysis of launch system designs and describe the influence of launch site location on the required delta vee to reach Earth orbit (LO6) • Complete basic analysis of power systems requirements and sizing (LO7) • Perform basic analysis of communication systems (LO8)

By completing the module, the students will be able to describe the major issues with respect to space vehicle design for future space exploration missions (LO9). Furthermore, the students will be able to work in groups with a creative collaborative and responsible approach (LO10).

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To enhance the students' experience, description of leading edge space systems technologies will be embedded in the syllabus, particularly in relation to new space vehicle design. To promote students' engagement and to improve students' learning a variety of pedagogical approaches will be employed including interactive lectures' tutorials; writing activities; group team design project and active learning. These teaching approaches used in delivering the module contents are introduced to motivate and challenge students and to provide them with some immediate feedback. Moreover, these teaching approaches in conjunction with the developed assessment and feedback plan, will ensure that students will build up the necessary knowledge in order to meet all of the cognitive learning outcomes and that they will develop a responsible, articulate, proactive, creative and collaborative problem solving approach to meet the affective learning outcomes. Also, the module is aligned to the UL graduate attributes: • Knowledgeable: students will apply their space systems design knowledge to the design, build and test of a space subsystem. • Proactive/Creative: students will design an original space subsystem to meet an assignment specification to be manufactured as part of laboratory activity. • Responsible/Collaborative: laboratory design and practical work will be carried out as part of a design team. Each team member is responsible for contributing to the team design goal to ensure that assessment targets are met. • Articulate: design team members will be required to communicate effectively with one another to achieve their team goals. Output from the team laboratory activity will be disseminated in a jointly written report, requiring effective written input from each team member.