EXPECTED COURSE OUTCOMES: ENT 190

The purpose of this course is to give an overview of the space technology career field and how the technology is applied at NASA Goddard SFC in particular. This course is intended to be taken during the freshman year and is required of all Space Technology degree seekers. The mathematical content will be kept to a basic algebraic college level. Emphasis will be placed upon satellite technology.

The student will demonstrate a proficient knowledge of:

1.      Satellite-Launch vehicle and propulsion systems

·        Satellite building blocks and structures

·        Basic orbital mechanics including establishing an orbit and maneuvering

·        Orbit maintenance

·        Launcher performance (payload capabilities)

2.      Satellite power systems

·        Solar arrays

·        Storage cells

·        Batteries

·        Power conditioning and control electronics

3.      Spacecraft environment and remote sensing applications (as missions)

·        Remote sensing principles

·        Sensors as hardware

·        Spacecraft effects caused by the space and launch environments

4.      Control and command of satellites

·        Telemetry

·        Tracking

·        Navigation principles

·        Antennas & sensors (link calculations, spectral power, BW, gain)

·        Operations (ground and space)

·        Tele-command (detection, decoding, routing)

5.      Satellite propulsion

·        Basic thruster and propellant considerations

·        Transducers that monitor launch

6.      Spacecraft performance testing and specifications

7.   Spacecraft systems, operational testing, and reliability considerations

·     Thermal control and testing (thermal vacuum)

·     Test facilities: clean rooms, EMI,  vibration

8.   Spacecraft ground support equipment and facilities

The student will be able to explain:

1.      Relevant spacecraft factors and system parameters

·        environmental factors- launch and space environments

·        satellite propulsion- thrusters, propellants, transducers

·        payload capabilities of launch vehicles

·        telemetry, tracking, navigational principles

·        spacecraft sensors- which important parameters to be monitored

·        orbital mechanics for the establishment, maintenance, and maneuvering of spacecraft

2.      Purpose and application of various satellite systems and subsystems:

·        remote sensing

·        power, use of redundancy

·        command and control

·        ground support 

3.  The student will be able to define and explain the significance of: 

• ·        spacecraft structures &  solar arrays

• ·        storage cells

• ·        battery technologies

• ·        EMI effects- including grounding & shielding

• ·        clean rooms

• ·        thermal vacuum

• ·        out-gasing phenomena

• ·        shock and vibration effects, wire harness chafing

• ·        tele-command detection, decoding, routing

• ·        spacecraft science data handling

4.  The student will be able to calculate:

• gain (decibels) of systems and antennae 

• S/N ratio  

•  velocity 

• acceleration   

• effects of orbital mechanics on the launch vehicle and payload gravitational effectsuW

• spectral power density & bandwidth

•  

 5.  The student will be able to build a conceptual spacecraft model- including all subsystems and required ground support.