Rocket and Space Propulsion, AE530 (3 credits)
Spring 2014
Schedule # 20018
Class Days: Tues. & Thur. from
Class Times: 5:30pm-6:45pm
Class Location: room E-328
Instructor: Carl Tedesco
Office Hour Days: Tues & Thurs
Office Hour Times: 3:15 to 4:00PM or by appointment. Emailing questions works great too! ctedesco@flometrics.com
Office Location: E-308
Course Overview
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Description from the Official Course Catalog:
Equilibrium combustion thermodynamics. Performance of rocket propelled vehicles.
Rocket propulsion fundamentals. Topics in chemical (solid and liquid) and electrical propulsion systems
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Course Content:
Analysis of liquid, solid, hybrid and mono propellant rockets, propellant thermochemistry, heat transfer, rocket motor systems, rocket vehicle trajectories in powered flight, turbomachinery and nuclear and electric propulsion systems.
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Student learning Outcomes:
Students will gain an understanding of the factors and mathematics required in the design of rocket and space propulsion systems, including calculating the delta-vee of a rocket system, determining the velocities required for various missions, and determining rocket motor parameters/geometry.
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Real Life Relevance:
The course content the students will be exposed to will allow them to solve rocket and space propulsion problems in the aerospace industry.
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Relation to Other Courses: None
Enrollment Information
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Prerequisites: AE430
Course Materials
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Required Text:
“Mechanics and Thermodynamics of Propulsion”
, 2 nd . Ed., Hill & Peterson.
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Supplemental Material (recommended but not required):

o NASA SP-125 “ The Design of Liquid Propellant Rockets
” , Huzel & Huang (PDF format available from NASA – free and in the public domain) o “Rocket Propulsion Elements” , Sutton.
Course Structure and Conduct
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The course will be administered as a traditional lecture with student participation encouraged.
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There will be one individual computer simulation project.
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There will be one group design project.
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There will be periodic homework assignments.
Course Assessment and Grading
Grading: 2 Exams,
Final Exam,
20% each
20%
Homework, 20%
Simulation & Design Projects, 20%
Approximate Schedule of Topics
= Holiday or No Class
Date(s)
Jan. 23
Jan. 28, 30
Feb. 4, 6
Feb. 11, 13
Feb. 18, 20
Feb. 25, 27
Mar. 4, 6
Mar. 11, 13
Mar. 18, 20
Mar. 25, 27
Topics of Discussion
Introduction, Momentum Principles
Types of Rockets, Systems & Components
Rocket Flight Analysis , Sizing of Rockets, Staging
Space Missions, Orbital Mechanics
Performance Characteristics,
Thrust Chamber Analysis & Design
Thrust Chamber Analysis & Design, Exam 1 (Mar. 6)
Heat Transfer
Liquid Propellants
Solid Propellant Rockets
Apr. 1, 3 No class – Spring Break!!!
Apr. 8, 10
Apr. 15, 17
Apr. 22, 24
Apr. 29, May 1
Hybrid & Monopropellant Rockets, Exam 2 (April 10)
Combustion
Liquid Propellant Systems
Turbomachinery in Rockets
May 6, 8 Advanced Space Propulsion
May 15 th (Thursday) Final Exam, 3:30PM-5:30 PM, Room E-328???.
All topics and dates are tentative and are subject to change.