Outline

Overview

This course aims to introduce the students to the engineering aspects of spacecraft and mission design, covering the space environment and spacecraft sub-systems, including thermal control, power systems, attitude decision and control system, tracking, telemetry and telecommand, and on-board data handling.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Xiaofeng Wu, xiaofeng.wu@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	logbook Each student is asked to keep a logbook to track his/her work in the group.	30%	Multiple weeks	13 weeks
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Space Mission Design and Analysis Assignment 1 will focus on the use of space systems engineering design.	20%	Week 05	5 weeks
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assignment 2 Assignment 2 will focus on the spacecraft bus subsystems.	20%	Week 09	4 weeks.
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assignment 3 Assignment 3 will focus on the small satellite and its missions.	20%	Week 13	4 weeks
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Group presentations Group presentation	10%	Week 13	1 day
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Log book: The log book is a recording mechanism that is of paramount importance to the engineer. It provides information about design process that the engineer went through and results in sufficient detail that another engineer can continue on with the work just by going through the log book. You are required to keep a neat and thorough log book of your engineering design activities which will be assessed during the practicals. At the beginning of the practicals, the log book will be assessed for the preparation; At the end of the practicals, the log book will be assessed for the design process and results.
Assignment: There are 3 assignments. These assignments are group based assignment submissions. The focus of these assignments is to communicate your design philosophy as well as results. Assignment 1 will focus on the use of systems engineering design with particular focus on the development of a “requirements analysis”. Assignment 2 will focus on the spacecraft bus subsystems. Assignment 3 will focus on the small satellite and its missions.
Group presentation: One of the main objectives of this subject is to promote and develop team-working and communication skills within an engineering context. You will be asked to deliver a group presentation.

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.

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.

Learning support

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 02	Systems engineering	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 03	Space environment	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 04	Single event effects and mitigation	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 05	On-board data handling and computing	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 06	Power	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 07	Tracking, telemetry and command	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 08	TTC and communication	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 09	Attitude determination and control system	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 10	ADCS and propulsion	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 11	Thermal system	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 12	Structures, integration and test	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 13	Presentations	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)

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

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. Space Mission Analysis & Design
LO2. System Engineering Aspects of Designing Spacecraft
LO3. Spacecraft Bus Subsystems & Design;
LO4. Applications of Small, Low-Cost Satellites
LO5. Space Environment & its Effects;
LO6. Ability to evaluate contribution to a project of both one-self and peers.

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

This is a systems engineering course. The students will develop a space mission and analyze it in groups. They will provide a project report. As most students have no knowledge in space engineer, the course will be based on normal lectures.

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

AERO9760: Spacecraft and Satellite Design

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links