Space environment: gravity gradient torque, aerodynamic torque, magnetic torque, solar pressure torque.
The spacecraft system and its sub-systems.
- Propulsion
Propulsion system type: cold gas, hot gas. Monopropellant, bipropellant, dual-mode
- Structures and Mechanisms
Loads, methods of analysis, monocoque, skin-stringer.
- Power
Photovoltaic solar cells, batteries, radioisotope thermal generator (static, dynamic)
- Attitude and orbit control system (AOCS)
Passive control technique, Active control technique, sensors and actuators.
- Thermal
Environment characterization; single mass isothermal modelization, coarse thermal analysis.
- Communications
Fundamentals, communication links, ground stations.
Some typical architectures: the simple spinner, dynamics and stability; the dual spinner, dynamics and stability,
Landon’s rule; the tether system.
References: Charles D. Brown, “Elements of spacecraft design” AIAA Education Series.
