ATI's Spacecraft Systems Design
& Engineering course

Summary: This course is for technical and management people who want to remain up to date on spacecraft design for both the conventional missions and the new small-set applications to communications, remote sensing, and science. Spacecraft platform design principles and trade-offs are explained with illustrative examples: structure, power, thermal, data, communications, and TT & C. Big-system and small set payload applications are covered, including new missions in mobile hand-held worldwide communications and low-cost remote-sensing. Design issues such as weight, cost, and reliability are covered with "how-to" examples. Trends in design choices, qualification and testing are discussed. Extensive use of real examples permit easy understanding of the systems selection criteria, relationship and interfaces which are all part of the design process. All important subsystems will be addressed and their key relationships and interface requirements discussed. Examples will begin with the general requirement and proceed with complete weight and power specifications. Instructors: Dr. Vincent L. Pisacane is a fellow of the AIAA, Assistant Director for Research and Exploratory Development at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL). He was formerly the Head of the APL Space Department. He has 36 years experience in space research and the development of spacecraft and instrumentation with specialities in astrodynamics, orbit determination, satellite geodesy, propagation effects, guidance and control, systems engineering, and technical management. Irving Brown is a skilled Systems Engineer and Program Manager with over 35 years hands-on experience on large spacecraft programs such as Anik-B, Direct Broadcast, Satellite, Viking Mars Lander, and the Nimbus and TIROS meteorological satellites. He has written and lectured widely on spacecraft systems engineering and design, and project management. Formerly with RCA for over 30 years, Mr. Brown is now president of ICOM Satellite Corp., a consulting firm in New Jersey. He holds several patents in spacecraft design, and has developed computer-based models for estimating should-cost, should-weigh, and should-schedule for space programs. He has consulted for GE, ITT, TRW, Loral, General Dynamics, GSI, USAF, NASA, and companies in Europe and Israel. What You Will Learn: Latest developments in satellite applications to low-orbiting constellations, satellite navigation, and geostationary communication platforms. Fundamental satellite design processes and examples. All important satellite subsystems and their interactions. Latest Launch systems and how to select a launch vehicle. Orbital maneuvers and propulsion system requirements. Developments in big-system and small-set payloads. How to build "better-cheaper-faster." Course Outline: Space Systems Engineering. ntroductory concepts. Fundamentals of systems engineering. System development process. Engineering reviews. Management of space systems. The Terrestrial Space Environment. Gravity. Solar activity. Atmosphere. Ionosphere. Spacecraft charging. Magnetosphere and trapped particles. Fundamentals of Astrodynamics. Fundamentals of dynamics. Reference Frames. Time. Two-body central force motion. Two-body problem. Trajectory perturbation. Orbit determination. Interplanetary missions. Spacecraft Propulsion, Flight Mechanics, and Launch Systems. Rocket propulsion. Force-free rocket motion. Rocket motion with gravity. Launch flight mechanics. Solid and liquid propulsion systems. Other propulsion systems. Selected launch systems. Spacecraft Attitude Determination and Control. TAttitude specification. Attitude determination. Attitude sensors. Spacecraft torques. Attitude control systems, passive and active. Sample attitude control systems. Small-Sats and Other New Trends. Remote sensing applications, new sensors, Pegasus, and multiple launches on Russian, Chinese, US, ELVs. Better, faster, cheaper concepts. New manufacturing and qualification ideas. Plastic vs. ceramic parts. Bolt-it-together-and-fly vs. conventional I & T trade-offs. Space-Vehicle Platform Design. Structure design principles, graphite vs. aluminum trade-offs. Thermal design, active and passive systems. Power system design, solar arrays, batteries and options for power management. Communication links for payload sensor and TT&C data. Spacecraft-to-payload interfaces, fields of view, pointing accuracy. Hardware vs. software trade-offs and solutions. Weight, Cost, and Reliability. Weight estimating relationships, methods. Cost and cost models. PRICE, USMC-6, MODELSAT, SYSTEMATE, REVIC. Reliability models and calculations, failure rates, redundancy. Spacecraft and Component Testing. Conventional test cycles. High-density board test issues. Boundary-scan methods. IEEE 1149.1. New trends in testing. Facilities: Thermal-vac. Vibration. Compact range. Tuition: Tuition for this four-day course is $1490 per person at one of our scheduled public courses. Onsite pricing is available. Please call us at 410-956-8805 or send an email to ati@ATIcourses.com. Register Now Without Obligation