Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

EMAE 356 Aerospace Design

Spring, 2010

Instructor – Professor Joseph M. Prahl

418B Glennan
Phone: 368-2941
Email: jmp

Office Hours: walk-in or appointment through email

Course Description and Requirements

Catalog Description
Interactive and interdisciplinary activities in areas of fluid mechanics, heat transfer, solid
mechanics, thermodynamics and systems analysis approach in design of aerospace vehicles.
Projects involve developing or improving design of aerospace vehicles of current interest starting
from mission requirements to researching developments in relevant areas and using them to
obtain conceptual design.

Prerequisites
The students must have senior standing, and are expected to have the basic mathematical and
engineering background and maturity necessary to perform an engineering design study.

Course Goals
The primary course goals are to develop the students’ ability to formulate and conduct a
conceptual design of an aerospace vehicle or system starting from mission requirements, to work
with a multidisciplinary team in developing the design, and to communicate the results of the
design study orally and in writing. This course is also intended to give the students experience in
interacting with scientists/engineers outside the university, in using a multiplicity of sources for
obtaining information, and in developing their own ideas and methods of approach. This course
aims to develop independence and the exercise of judgment in solving engineering problems.

Course Objectives
On completion of this course, students should have developed:
1. An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering to an engineering
design problem.
2. An ability to design a vehicle or system to meet desired needs.
3. An ability to function in multi-disciplinary teams.
4. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve an engineering design problem.
5. An ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
6. An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for
engineering practice.
7. Experience in interacting with professionals in the field.
8. Independence in approach and methodology in solving engineering problems.
9. An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.
10. A recognition of the need for, and the ability to engage in life long learning.

Requirements
The class meets twice a week − 14:45-16:00, Tuesday and Thursday in Glennan 421
Although there are no regularly scheduled lectures, introductory lectures are given describing
requirements and major considerations for missions of interest. The class will then organize into
design groups. Each group formulates the details of the mission, determines the group's mode of
operation, the design activities that must be performed, the individual responsibilities, the
schedule of work, and other aspects of the development of the design. Starting from mission
requirements, each group considers alternative ways of meeting the requirements, selects a
method to investigate in detail, and develops a conceptual design, with the help of the instructor
and the mentor(s).
Each group reports weekly, orally and in writing, on the progress of its design. Most weeks
follow a prescribed schedule of activities. One class period is devoted to presentations of design
progress and discussions of the developing designs. The other period is devoted to work by each
group separately. The instructor is available to meet with each group. When needed, background
materials will be presented and discussed during the class time.

Progress Report
Oral presentations are given weekly. These may be by one or more persons in a group at each
session, but every member of the group must participate in a progress report presentation at least
once during the semester. In addition, each group submits a one-page weekly progress report that
includes plans for the next reporting period and a timeline of tasks.

Final Report
At the end of the semester, each group makes an oral presentation and submits a written report
describing its design. The written report should be a good engineering report of professional
quality. It should be able to be understood by a technically trained reader who is not necessarily
familiar with the particular subject matter, and also useful to a reader who is interested in
continuing the design.
In addition to the group report, each student submits a short individual report describing that
student's contribution to the design and assessing how that work fits into the design activities of
the group.

Grading
The grade in this course is based primarily (75% of final grade) on the written and oral final
reports, with possible adjustment that may be indicated by the quality of the student's individual
contribution or by the progress reports. In addition, there will be assignments and quizzes (25%
of final grade) for this course. Particular questions will be given for showing your understanding
of the problem and formulating the correct solution approach.