Jeff Mitchell 321-223-0740 no texting
CLASS HOURS: No required direct meeting time. Weekly recorded lectures using Zoom will be posted on weekends through semester. Go to Canvas "Panopto Recordings" link to view the lecture.
Course Description: The course emphasizes principles and practices of modern spacecraft propulsion systems. Topics covered include space and booster propulsion systems. Solid, liquid, hybrid systems will be examined as well as electric, ion and nuclear propulsion. A theoretical basis for analyzing the performance and capabilities of propulsion systems will also be presented. State of the art developments will be included through links and references to technical journals
Required Texts: Rocket Propulsion Elements (John Wiley and sons) by George P. Sutton and Oscar Biblarz. ISBN 9781118753651 hardcover (9th edition, printed 2017), ISBN 9781118753880 ePDF, ISBN 9781118753910 ePub
Course Objectives: Provide an understanding of the fundamental principles and techniques used in the planning, design, and analysis of spacecraft propulsion systems. To demonstrate to the student the need for engineering tradeoffs in the development of spacecraft propulsion systems. A major goal of the course is to prepare the student to be able to take part in the analysis of potential spacecraft propulsion systems.
INSTRUCTION METHOD: A combination of lecture notes, textbook and discussion of the material will be used. Homework problems will be assigned, and reviewed in class if necessary. Two exams will be given.
I will record my lecture on Zoom. You can watch it anytime on Canvas Panopto Recordings. Chat sessions will be scheduled when students want them.
Requirements: No term paper or presentation is required for this class. Students are required to take tests, and turn in homework solutions as scheduled. A hand-held, scientific calculator is required for most homework, quizzes, and tests. Availability of a Personal Computer with mathematics and spreadsheet software would help the student but is not required. Working together on homework is permitted as long as each student’s name who helped is listed on the solution. Everything will be done using Canvas. Posting homework assignments, you submitting your answers, midterm and final.
automatically. This is to encourage you to do the problems, you need to do the homework to pass the course. I encourage you to work the homework alone, then if you have a friend in class, compare. Start your homework early, the night of class or night after, that way you can ask questions early in the chat sessions or via email
I have some homework rules in “Homework Rules Canvas Rev6.pdf” We will now go to that file.
The emphasis in a graduate course of study is self-directed research. Not all of the homework problems may be solved by using the text book. You may need to seek out answers from coworkers, computer databases or the internet. Do not limit yourself to learning the minimum that is “required” to pass the class or to complete an assignment. This is good time to rely on the expertise of others in your class and your chosen field. Be curious, ask questions and be prepared to contribute in the classroom discussion when you have a solution.
Corrections: Any corrections will be on Canvas. Tests or homework grades should be brought to my attention as soon as possible. In no event, should you expect a correction more than one week after the event.
Midterm and final:
The midterm will cover everything discussed in class and the reading assignments. The final will only cover those things that occurred after the midterm. Obviously, you will have to know the first part of the course in order to pass the final. The midterm and final are open book, and will be on Canvas under Quizzes. The way the Quizzes work is that I post it on Canvas and give you a week to do it. You can start and stop questions any time, except for multiple choice that are graded when you select the answer. Some questions are the “Explain how this works” type. The nice thing is that you type the answer in the block, therefore I don’t have to decipher your handwriting. For problems involving equations, scan them just like the homework. There will be a “choose a file” button on each question, click that and upload. You can either scan each question and upload it at each question, or you could scan all those problems and upload them once at any of the questions.
Again, use your name in the PDF file name!!!
What is Title IX?
Title IX of the Educational Amendments Act of 1972 is the federal law prohibiting discrimination based on sex under any education program and/or activity operated by an institution receiving and/or benefiting from federal financial assistance. Behaviors that can be considered “sexual discrimination” include sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking, relationship abuse (dating violence and domestic violence), sexual misconduct, and gender discrimination. You are encouraged to report these behaviors.
Reporting:
Florida Tech can better support students in trouble if we know about what is happening. Reporting also helps us to identify patterns that might arise – for example, if more than one complainant reports having been assaulted or harassed by the same individual.
Florida Tech is committed to providing a safe and positive learning experience. To report a violation of sexual misconduct or gender discrimination, please contact Fanak Baarmand, Title IX Coordinator at 321-674-8885 or fbaarman@fit.edu. * Please note that as your professor, I am required to report any incidents to the Title IX Coordinator. Confidential support for students is available by contacting the Student Counseling Center at 321-674-8050
Grading Policy:
Academic Honesty: Please see the official Student Handbook.
Incompletes:
1. The grade of "I" is only to be given for incomplete work because of circumstances beyond the student’s control. It is not intended to give additional time to students simply because they want more time to prepare for exams or complete projects. Also, the "I" grade presumes that the student’s work has been qualitatively satisfactory and there is reasonable expectation that completion of the remaining work will result in a passing grade.
2. The grade of "I" is not automatic. If a student is nearing the end of the semester and has not completed all course work due to illness, family emergency, or job-related travel, or misses the final exam for the above reasons, the student must make appropriate arrangements with the instructor. If the student does not provide this instructor with early, valid, and verifiable reasons for not completing course requirements in the prescribed time, a grade of "I" could be assigned by the instructor.
3. The remaining work must be completed within six weeks into the following semester. This means the make-up work is to be scheduled and completed as near as possible to the end of the semester involved.
4. The instructor retains the right to give extra self-study assignments pertaining to the subjects of the classes missed. This extra work will be given to ensure that the students have adequate opportunity to master the material covered in class.
What is Title IX?: Title IX of the Educational Amendments Act of 1972 is the federal law prohibiting discrimination based on sex under any education program and/or activity operated by an institution receiving and/or benefiting from federal financial assistance. Behaviors that can be considered "sexual discrimination" include sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking, relationship abuse (dating violence and domestic violence), sexual misconduct, and gender discrimination. You are encouraged to report these behaviors.
Reporting: Florida Tech can better support students in trouble if we know about what is happening. Reporting also helps us to identify patterns that might arise - for example, if more than one complainant reports having been assaulted or harassed by the same individual.
Florida Tech is committed to providing a safe and positive learning experience. To report a violation of sexual misconduct or gender discrimination, please contact Linda Jancheson, Title IX Coordinator at 321-674-7277 or ljancheson@fit.edu.
* Please note that as your professor, I am required to report any incidents to the Title IX Coordinator. Confidential support for students is available by contacting the Student Counseling Center at 321-674-8050.
Academic Accommodations: Florida Tech is committed to equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in the participation of activities operated/sponsored by the university. Therefore, students with documented disabilities are entitled to reasonable educational accommodations. The Office of Disability Services (ODS) supports students by assisting with accommodations, providing recommended interventions, and engaging in case management services. It is the student's responsibility to make a request to ODS before any accommodations can be approved/implemented. Also, students with approved accommodations are encouraged to speak with the course instructor to discuss any arrangements and/or concerns relating to their accommodations for the class. Office of Disability Services (ODS): Telephone: 321-674-8285 / disabilityservices@fit.edu / www.fit.edu/disability
Corrections:
Any corrections on Canvas, Tests or homework grades should be brought to my attention as soon as possible. In no event, should you expect a correction more than one week after the event.
Schedule: Week Topic (Some reordering may occur during semester)
1 Topics: Course Overview, Propulsion System Classification
Textbook: Chapter 1
2 Topics: Definitions and Fundamentals
Textbook: Chapter 2
3 Topics: Nozzle Theory, Thermodynamics and Flight performance
Textbook: Chapters 3-4
4 Topics: Chemical Rocket Propellant Performance Analysis
Textbook: Chapter 5
5 Topics: Liquid Propellant Rocket Engine Fundamentals
Textbook: Chapter 6
6 Topics: Liquid Propellants
Textbook: Chapter 7
7 Topics: Thrust Chambers
Textbook: Chapter 8
8 Topics: Combustion of Liquid Propellants and Engine Hardware/Turbopumps
]Textbook: Chapters 9-10
9 Topics: Combustion of Liquid Propellants and Engine Hardware/Turbopumps
Textbook: Chapters 9-10 (and related PDF’s on Canvas course site)
10 Topics: Liquid Rocket Components, Micro propulsion systems and their
applications
Textbook: Chapter 11
11 Midterm exam, no class, (online Zoom Q&A session only regarding exam clarification)
12 Topic: Solid Propellant Rocket Fundamentals
Textbook: Chapter 12
13 Topics: Solid Propellants
Textbook: Chapter 13
14 Topics: Combustion of Solid Propellants, Components
Textbook: Chapters 14-15
15 Topics: Hybrid, Electric and Nuclear Rockets
Textbook: Chapters 16-17
16 Topics: TVC, System Selection, Rocket Plumes
Textbook: Chapters 18-20
17 Final Examination, no class