Program Overview

Spacecraft Structural Design and Verification

Course Description

This course is intended to help practicing engineers and managers (structural or non-structural) with limited structural background become familiar with the concepts, techniques, and practices that are essential to the development of spacecraft structures. The general background of spacecraft structures, fundamental structural mechanics theories, and the engineering procedures that are employed in daily engineering practices from design to verification are introduced.

Course Topics

• Become familiar with the concepts, techniques, and practices that are essential to the development of spacecraft structures
• Learn about mechanical environments, structural design requirements, structural design considerations, structural dynamics and loads analysis, strength analysis, composite structures, finite element analysis, and structural testing
• Study the general background of spacecraft structures, fundamental structural mechanics theories, and the engineering procedures that are employed in daily engineering practices from design to verification

Course Details

The course covers topics in the same sequence as the spacecraft structural development process and includes:

• Introduction to spacecraft
• Mechanical environments
• Structural design requirements
• Structural design considerations
• Structural dynamics and loads analysis
• Strength analysis
• Composite structures
• Finite element analysis
• Structural testing Many of the subjects presented are based on accumulated engineering experiences that cannot usually be found in structural mechanics books or regular engineering courses.

Course Code

MECH&AE 810.170