MSc Track Spaceflight

Aerospace Engineering
Ir. R. Noomen
September
5, 2011
August
31, 2015

Delft
University of
Technology

Audience
new MSc students
International BSc
Delft BSc

(Erasmus) exchange students

MSc Track and Profiles

Research Themes MSc Spaceflight

Space Engineering:
Spacecraft design and analysis
Distributed space systems
Miniaturizing spacecraft technologies
Sensing from space and sensor systems
Space propulsion
Space Exploration:
Satellite orbits, missions & applications
o Precise orbits and applications
o Space debris
o Transfer orbits
Ascent and re-entry systems
Solar system exploration
4

MSc: Administration
General remarks:
Main elements connected ideally
Choose before start of academic year (1st lectures..)

Delft BSc student, BSc not completed: you are not allowed as an
MSc student. Check weblink on the Airport-AE:
http://studenten.tudelft.nl/index.php?id=104242

Non-EU students must achieve a minimum of 50% of study load

every year (Modern Migration Policy Act)
5

Department of spaceflight in
TU Delft SPACE INSTITUTE
Sensing from Space

Distributed Space
Space Robotics

Systems
Mission:

To bundle and create expertise on Space for local, regional and global
impact on research, education and valorization

Members:

5 faculties (LR, EWI, 3ME, CITG, TNW)

Education:

Spaceflight Minor, new initiatives, more inter-faculty cooperation

2014/10/07

Objectives
Educating all-round Aerospace Engineers

BSc
MSc

Learning Objectives
Acquire a broad understanding of the theory of spaceflight
Acquire knowledge and skills in Space Mission Design
Develop skills in Space Systems Engineering
Understand the concept that satellites are end-to-end systems
Become familiar with satellite measurements and data processing
Develop the ability to work independently on a spaceflight-related
engineering or research problem (international problem)

MSc Educational Programme

CORE COURSES

Core Courses
(18 EC)
5 EC)
Incl.
Incl.
Ethics for Aerospace Engineering (3 EC)
Ethics
for Aerospace Engineering (3 EC)

32-34
32 EC
EC

18 EC
Internship

Profile Courses (14-16 EC)

PROFILE COURSES
17EC)
Nochoice
choice
No

60 EC

MASTER ORIENTATION PROJECT (6 EC)

OR
Literature Study
(12 EC)

LITERATURE STUDY (12 EC)

42 EC
MSc Thesis project

RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES
(2 EC)

28 EC
EC
26-28

ELECTIVE COURSES
(20 or 14 EC)
Elective Courses
(12-14 EC)

in consultation
with
ChoiceChoice
of courses
in consultation
with Profile
Theme
Supervisor
Coordinator

MSc Programme: Possible Deviations

Sustainable Development

15 EC courses related to sustainable development

= 4 EC as part of the Electives + 7 EC extra-curricular
Sustainable dimension in your thesis
Point of contact: Ir. Joris Melkert

Entrepreneurship

17 EC courses related to entrepreneurship

= 4 EC as part of the Electives + 13 EC extra-curricular
Entrepreneurial dimension in your thesis
Point of contact: Ir. Joris Melkert

Honours Track

Individual programme for excellent students

20 EC, on top of the regular programme
Often not directly related to your track
Point of contact: Ir. Aldert Kamp

10

MSc Program Overview

Core courses
ae4874I
ae4890-11
ae4S10
ae4S12

astrodynamics I
planetary sciences I
microsat engineering
space systems engineering

4
4
4
3

wm0324LR
ae4010

ethics
research methodologies

3
2

total

20

11

MSc Program Overview (cntd)

Core courses (cntd)
name:
astrodynamics I
code:
ae4874I
teacher:
Doornbos, Cowan
period:
4/0/0/0
topics:
introduction to astrodynamics; many-body problem; three-body problem; libration
points; relative motion in the many-body problem; two-body problem with various
applications; elliptical, parabolic and hyperbolic motion; relative motion of two
bodies; regularization; coordinates, reference frames, time and orbital elements
12

MSc Program Overview (cntd)

Core courses (cntd)
name:
planetary sciences I
code:
ae4890-11
teacher:
Vermeersen, De Pater, Schrama, Stam, Van der Wal
period:
0/6/0/0
topics:
origin, evolution and dynamics of our solar system; planetary surfaces, interiors,
atmospheres and ring systems; asteroids and comets; extrasolar planets; recent
topics
13

MSc Program Overview (cntd)

Core courses (cntd)
name:
microsat engineering
code:
ae4S10
teacher:
Gill
period:
0/0/2/2
topics:
introduction; micro-satellite payload; navigation; communication; attitude control
system; formation flying; micro-satellite technologies

14

MSc Program Overview (cntd)

Core courses (cntd)
name:
space systems engineering
code:
ae4S12
teacher:
Gill
period:
2/2/0/0
topics:
stakeholders; concepts, space mission architectures; lifecycle cost; risk; integrating
systems; verification and validation; interfaces; system roll-out; lessons learned.
Includes excursion to ESTEC.
15

MSc Program Overview (cntd)

Core courses (cntd)
name:
ethics and engineering for aerospace engineering
code:
wm0324LR
teacher:
Asveld, De Boer, Pesch
period:
0/4/4/0 (.OR.)
topics:
analysis of problems; codes of ethics; argumentation and reasoning; uncertainty,
ignorance and risk; right and wrong; responsibility; law

16

MSc Program Overview (cntd)

Core courses (cntd)
name:
research methodologies
code:
ae4010
teacher:
Curran, Saunders
period:
d/d/d/2 (.OR.)
topics:
research design and methods; data analysis; validation & verification; project
management; peer review; planning; literature review

17

MSc Program Overview (cntd)

Space Engineering profile courses
ae4880
ae4S01
ae4S06
ae4S12E

space instrumentation
thermal rocket propulsion
spacecraft power, electronics & mechatronics
exercise space systems engineering

4
4
4
2

ae4020

literature study

12

total

26

18

MSc Program Overview (cntd)

Space Engineering profile courses (cntd)
name:
space instrumentation
code:
ae4880
teacher:
Kuiper
period:
0/0/4/0
topics:
space instrumentation engineering (sensor physics, anatomy and system design
requirements, classes, optics, optical design and performance, optical components, optomechanical design, detection subsystems, radiometric performance analysis, spectral
performance analysis, structural instrument design, on-ground characterization and
calibration, cryogenic design, cleanliness and contamination control, manufacturing,
assembly, alignment, test, sizing); design and performance (spectrometers, optical 19
imagers, radiometers, interferometers, miniature instruments)

MSc Program Overview (cntd)

Space Engineering profile courses (cntd)
name:
thermal rocket propulsion
code:
ae4S01
teacher:
Zandbergen
period:
2/2/0/0
topics:
fundamentals; ideal rocket motor; nozzle design; propellants and propellant properties;
thermo-chemistry; heat transfer & cooling; cooling; combustor design; design of thin
shell structures/chamber mass estimation; liquid propellant feeding and storage; motor
controls & stop start (ignition)
20

MSc Program Overview (cntd)

Space Engineering profile courses (cntd)
name:
spacecraft power, electronics & mechatronics (+ practical)
code:
ae4S06
teacher:
Verhoeven
period:
4/0/0/0
topics:
mechatronics design circle, sensors (light, magnetic field, position,), actuators (electro
motors, electro magnetic devices,), power systems, information and control systems
practical examples, demonstrations
Lab: electronics construction and simple programming of simple robot to obtain basic
skills with electronics and microcontrollers
21

MSc Program Overview (cntd)

Space Engineering profile courses (cntd)
name:
exercise space systems engineering
code:
ae4S12P
teacher:
Guo
period:
0/0/1/0
topics:
insight and improved understanding of space systems engineering; application of handson concurrent engineering; use of Concurrent Design Facilities

22

MSc Program Overview (cntd)

Space Exploration profile courses
ae4870A
ae4870B
ae4878
ae4872

rocket motion
re-entry systems
mission geometry and orbit design
satellite data processing

3
3
4
6

ae4020

literature study

12

total

28

23

MSc Program Overview (cntd)

Space Exploration profile courses (cntd)
name:
rocket motion
code:
ae4870A
teacher:
Naeije, Mooij
period:
4/0/0/0
topics:
2D motion of rocket in homogeneous gravity field, vacuum and atmosphere; vertical
flight, constant pitch angle, gravity turn; multi-stage rocket; optimal mass distribution;
ballistic flight in orbital plane; 3D flight over spherical (rotating) earth; computer
simulations; derivation of general equations of motion of system with variable mass;
24
equations of motion in scalar form, including rotation

MSc Program Overview (cntd)

Space Exploration profile courses (cntd)
name:
re-entry systems
code:
ae4870B
teacher:
Mooij
period:
4/0/0/0
topics:
Introduction; entry environment and aeroheating; fundamentals of motion; ballistic entry;
gliding entry; skip entry; guidance, navigation and control; planetary entry and descent;
powered descent; aerocapture and aerogravity assist; terminal area energy management;
flight testing; abort, safety and risk analysis; re-entry vehicle configurations; simulator
25
development; sensitivity analysis

MSc Program Overview (cntd)

Space Exploration profile courses (cntd)
name:
mission geometry and orbit design
code:
ae4878

period:
0/2/2/0

transfer, d_i=0deg

180
135

2
90
1
45

inclination [deg]

transfer, d_i=10deg
delta_V [km/s]

teacher:
Noomen

drag(avg)
drag(solarmax)
Van Allen belts
Sun synch
repeat (40,3)
repeat (41,3)

0
200

400

600

800

h [km]

1000

repeat (42,3)

1200

repeat (43,3)
repeat (44,3)

topics:
celestial mechanics fundamentals, geometry, coverage, error propagation, integrators,
Lambert problem, low-thrust orbits, optimization, design (all: application-oriented)

26

MSc Program Overview (cntd)

Space Exploration profile courses (cntd)
name:
satellite data processing
code:
ae4872
teacher:
Schrama, Doornbos, Van de IJssel,
Visser
period:
4/2/0/0
topics:
reference systems; orbit dynamics; statistics; applications; practical orbit determination

27

MSc Program Overview (cntd)

elective courses (1)
ae4143
ae4313
ae4447
ae4499
ae4ASM108
ae4874II
ae4876-11
ae4S01P
ae4S06P
ae4S20

hypersonic aerodynamics
spacecraft attitude dynamics & control
aircraft performance optimization
space project: Tudat practical
space project: capita selecta
experimental techniques & NDT
astrodynamics II
planetary sciences II
exercise thermal rocket propulsion
exercise spacecraft mechatronics
satellite thermal control

3
3
3
2
1-4
3
4
4
2
1
3

28

MSc Program Overview (cntd)

elective courses (2)
cie4601
et3604LR
wb1440
wb4300B
wi3413TU
wi4019

physics of the Earth & atmosphere

electronic circuits
eng. optimization: concept & appl.
fundamentals of fluid machinery
Monte-Carlo methods (in Dutch)
non-linear differential equations

mm-mmm
nn-nnn

core courses of the other profile

other relevant AE/TUD courses

5
3
3
3
4
6

29

Electives (not exhaustive)

engineering

rockets,
re-entry,
GNC

precise
orbits

space
debris

thermal rocket prop.

s/c thermal control

s/c att. dyn & control

electronic circuits

astrodynamics II

planetary sciences II

Fourier & Laplace tr.

hypersonic aero

aircraft perf. optim.

space project Tudat

non-linear diff. eqs.

transfer solar
orbits
system
expl.

x
x

x
x

x
x

Literature Study

Preferably connected to MSc project

Same topic
Building theoretic knowledge
(Some) practical aspects
Selection of relevant topics and techniques
Research questions + Plan of attack

Connected to courses
4th quarter 1st MSc year (ideally)

31

2nd Year

Internship
Master Thesis Project

o Research related to ongoing programmes

o Preceded by Literature Study on same topic

Cooperation between sections Astrodynamics and Space

Missions and Space Systems Engineering

32

Internship

Period of 12 weeks full-time

Expose you to a real work environment
Learn and explore to acquire different skills than those taught in
the courses and projects
Start organizing your (international) internship well in advance;
approximately 9 months before the start date
Internship Coordinator: Mrs. Miranda van Haagen (room 2.10;
open office Monday + Thursday 12.30-13.30)
Staff of Spaceflight track
Enroll on Blackboard AE5-050
www.lr.tudelft.nl/internship
Internship-ae@tudelft.nl
33

Internship/jobs: Industry & Agencies

and many many more ..

34

Internship/jobs: Academia

and many many more ..

35

Research Themes
General subject

Supervisor(s)

Spacecraft design and analysis

E. Gill, B.T.C. Zandbergen, J. Guo, P. Sundaramoorthy

Distributed space systems

E. Gill, J. Guo, P. Sundaramoorthy

Miniaturizing spacecraft technologies

E. Gill, J. Guo, J. Bouwmeester

Sensing from space and sensor systems

H. Kuiper

Space propulsion

B.T.C. Zandbergen, A. Cervone

Rockets, re-entry systems and GNC

E. Mooij, M.C. Naeije

Precise orbits and applications

E. Doornbos, W.J.F. Simons, P.N.A.M. Visser, M.C.

Naeije

Space debris

E. Mooij, E. Doornbos, R. Noomen, J. Guo

Transfer orbits

R. Noomen, K. Cowan

(extra-) Solar system exploration

E.J.O. Schrama, B. Vermeersen, W. van der Wal, D. Stam

36

Research Themes (2)

NOTE:
Students doing an MSc thesis project on

Guidance, navigation & control

Re-entry
Hypersonics
DARE-related

must get a permit from the Ministry of Education, Culture

and Science (OCW) before the official start of the MSc
thesis project
https://www.government.nl/topics/secondary-vocationaleducation-mbo-and-higher-education/contents/exemptioncertain-engineering-or-nuclear-related-courses-of-study

37

Spacecraft Design and Analysis

DelFFi: Delta & Phi

Delfi-class satellites
Demonstrating formation flying

Spacecraft Design and Analysis (cntd)

ADCS modes

De-tumbling of S/C

39

Electrical Engineering & Programming

Satellite On-board Computer

From design

Delfi-class satellites
Part of QB-50 mission
Demonstrates formation flying
To be launched in 2015

to completion

Distributed Space Systems

Research, develop, and fly!

Miniaturized intersatellite communication and ranging

Cooperative control of fractionated spacecraft
Multi-agent based control using mobile phone
Innovative systems engineering methods for DSS
Autonomous Formation Flying (AFF) testbeds
Flight missions: DelFFi, OLFAR

Air-based testbed
Ground-based testbed

Distributed Space Systems (cntd)

Typical FF testbeds are expensive to build
and maintain
A low-cost FF testbed is being developed by
MSc students in SSE
Currently one robot has been developed by
SSE MSc student Andani Osuman
More robots will be manufactured and the
whole testbed will be integrated and tested
Enabling technologies for distributed space
systems will be validated on the testbed
before going to space
Go to YouTube to have a first look!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWV9ee0hddo&hd=1

Miniaturizing Spacecraft Technologies

Highly miniaturized, massively distributed autonomous
space systems for unrivaled science and exploration

Wireless Sensors

Reaction
Wheels

Inflatable Deorbit Device

Antenna Systems

Micro-propulsion systems

Magnetic
torquers

43

Miniaturizing S/C Technologies (cntd)

Clean room

44

Miniaturizing S/C Technologies (cntd)

Active attitude control
(TU Delft)

Micro propulsion
(TNO, TU Delft, UTwente)

Innovative CubeSat radio

(ISIS)

Amorphous Silicon solar cells

(DIMES)

Smart power management

(SystematIC Design)

High data-rate link

(TU Delft)

45

Sensing from Space and Sensor Systems

Developing smaller and smaller cameras with ever

improving performance !!

Space Propulsion

Resistojet

47

Space Propulsion (cntd)

Pulsed plasma thruster

48

GPS Tracking of Space Missions

Topics:
Precise orbit determination
Gravity field determination
Surface force modeling

Atmosphere at Satellite Altitude

Swarm

GOCE

50

Radar Altimetry Missions

Topics:
Dynamic sea surface
topography (sea level
above geoid)
Mean sea surface and
vertical deflections
Ocean tides
Waves and wind
Ice topography
Tsunami detection

Tracking of Space Missions

Topics:
Development of ground station
Processing data
Orbit determination of Delfi-C3, Delfi-n3Xt,
other s/c

Space Debris

Transfer Orbits
Topics:
Orbit modeling and
computation
Orbit and constellation
design
Interplanetary trajectories
Low-thrust orbits
Rendezvous and docking
Orbit optimization
Solar sailing

Rockets, Re-entry Systems and GNC

Optimization of
ascent trajectories

Re-entry trajectories
towards Earth surface

Planetary Entry &

Descent

Vehicle Shape
Optimization

55

CanSat launch at
IAC 2011 South Africa

Stratos 1, 12.5 km, 2009

not because it is easy, but because it is hard,

because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of
our energies and skills,
J.F.Kennedy

Stratos 2, 50 km, 2015

Dart, 140 km: SPACE!

Solar System Exploration

Topics:

Deep space tracking

Orbit analysis
Tidal deformation
Gravity field
Polar motion
Internal structure
Atmosphere
Conditions for life
..

Using spacecraft around planets,

moons and asteroids

Solar System Exploration (cntd)

Jovian moon Europa: ocean under

the icy surface and possibly life?

Solar System Exploration (cntd)

Laser Ranging as part of EU FP7 Project ESPACE
(European Satellite PArtnership for Computing Ephemerides - ROB, TUB, JIVE, TUD, CNES, DLR and IMCCE)

The near future:

concept of a laser
transponder link
between an
observatory on Earth
and a laser terminal
on Phobos
Precision laser ranging to
Phobos could measure
the distance between an
observatory on Earth and
a terminal on the surface
of Phobos to accuracy of
1 mm in less than 5 min
of integration time

Facilities
Clean room for small satellite integration and testing
Powerful computing facilities and advanced software (Tudat)
Network of continuously operating GPS receivers
Formation flying laboratory (TBC)
(Access to data of) many operational satellites
Member of DIMES and Robotics Institute

60

Thesis Projects: Examples

SCALES A system-level tool for conceptual design of

nano and micro satellites
(Christine Aas, 2011)
61

Thesis Projects: Examples (cntd)

Attitude Estimation and Control of Delfi-n3Xt

(J. Reijneveld, 2012)

Thesis Projects: Examples (cntd)

Harry Linskens
Tether dynamics analysis and guidance & control design for active
space debris removal
April 2015

interaction 2 bodies
Envisat
limitations on tether forces
.

Envisat

63

Thesis projects: Examples (cntd)

Brian Jouannic
The fly-by anomaly: an investigation into potential causes
July 2015

GA Gallileo, December 1990:

.
non-availability of observations and flight data limitation
64

Studying abroad

PEGASUS, ERASMUS university networks

Other universities also possible

Elective courses only

Honours Track completely
Literature survey
Internship
MSc thesis

65

Planning your MSc Study

Select MSc Track
o Delft BSc: Complete Application Form MSc Track (AE-00) (including letter
of motivation), and submit to Education and Student Affairs
o International students: follow procedures International Office

Complete Master Track admission form (AE-1)

o Have discussion with Track Coordinator
o Together with theme supervisor(s):
Orient on your theme(s) of your liking and select preferential one
Select courses

o
o
o
o

Have course list checked by Profile Coordinator and Track Coordinator

Submit course list to Service Desk and/or student administration
Retain copies (for you, for secretary)
66
Do so before start of academic year (ideally)

Planning your MSc Study (cntd)

First year: courses + literature study
Second year: internship + thesis project
o Thesis: complete Thesis kick-off form (AE-2)

Alterations in course list possible

67

core

Space Eng.

Space Exp.

Course
schedule
for week
Aug 31 Sep 5,
2015
(ONLY!)

code

course

Day

hours

location

ae4874I

Astrodynamics I

Tue

3+4

LR B

Thu

7+8

LR B

ae4S12

Space systems engineering

ae4S01

Thermal rocket propulsion

Wed

1+2

LR D

ae4S06

Spacecraft mechatronics

Fri

3+4

Fels IZ 5

ae4870A

Rocket motion

Tue

1+2

LR C

Thu

1+2

LR C

Wed

1+2

LR C

Fri

3+4

LR C

Tue

7+8

Fels IZ 5

Wed

7+8

LR C

ae4870B

ae4872

electives

Re-entry systems

Satellite data processing

ae4143

Hypersonic aerodynamics

Wed

3+4

LR D

ae4S20

Satellite thermal control

cie4601

Physics of the Earth and atmosphere

Tue

5+6

CT 2.99

Wed

3+4

CT 2.99

Thu

1-2-3-4

CT 2.99

et3604LR

Electronic circuits

wb1440

Eng. optimization: concept & appl.

68

Face book of our (permanent) staff

Pieter, Eberhard, Barry, Ron, Marc, Erwin, Bert, Jasper, EJO, Hans, Kevin, Jian, Eelco, Angelo, Chris,
Wouter, Prem

Contact
Master Track Coordinator

ir. R. Noomen (9.20)

Profile Advisor s
Space Engineering : ir. B.T.C. Zandbergen (8.10)
Space Exploration : ir. R. Noomen (9.20)

Secretaries
Space Engineering : mrs. D.M.S. van der Sande (8.14)
Space Exploration : mrs. R. van Wingaarden (9.21)

Website: http://www.lr.tudelft.nl/sf
Next: 14.00-15.00: informal meeting with staff (meeting room 1, 8th floor)
15.00 - 17.00 geo-caching (information + questions)
17.00 - 19.00 barbeque
70

71