Graduate Astronautical Engineering (GA) Introduction The Graduate…

Graduate Astronautical Engineering (GA)
Introduction

The Graduate Astronautical Engineering (GA) program is designed to provide astronautical engineering
specialists for the Air Force. Students normally enter as a class in September and are scheduled to
graduate in March after 18 months. The program leads to a Master of Science in Astronautical
Engineering and is fully accredited.

Educational Objectives

This program provides the student with a broad education in the scientific and engineering disciplines
associated with Astronautical engineering. It is expected that our graduates will be prepared to

1. Make direct contributions to the area of astronautical engineering as a practicing engineer

2. Evaluate, monitor, and administer astronautical research and development projects

3. Understand how to approach and solve new technological challenges to meet the needs of the Air
Force

Program Elements

The GA curriculum is built around five principal elements:

        (1)      Core Courses
        (2)      Mathematics
        (3)      Specialty Sequences
        (4)      Thesis
        (5)      Elective Courses

Full time Air Force quota officers are required to complete an average of 12 credit hours per quarter over
the duration of their program. Typical master's programs are six quarters, so students should plan to
complete a minimum of 72 credit hours, including 12 hours of thesis credit.

(1)     Core Courses

Each student who receives a Master of Science in Astronautical Engineering must have a foundation in
the theoretical and applied aspects of the fundamental areas of astronautical engineering. These areas,
and associated program outcomes, are specified by the Accreditation Board for Engineering Technology
(ABET). Expected outcomes include competency in dynamics, linear systems analysis, feedback control
system design, sensor systems, orbital mechanics, space environment, spacecraft attitude determination
and control, telecommunications, space structures, space-related design, and rocket propulsion.

Not all master's students are required to take courses in each of these areas to complete the GA program.
Prior to beginning their program, it is the dual responsibility of the student and faculty advisor to identify
areas in which the student's undergraduate degree does not satisfy these core requirements and ensure
their graduate program will cover any deficiencies. Faculty advisors will evaluate undergraduate
transcripts to determine the applicability of undergrad courses in meeting requirements, and will prepare
an ABET degree form to document that each student will meet all ABET requirements upon satisfactory
completion of their education plan.

In addition to meeting ABET core requirements, students are required to take at least one graduate course
related to orbital mechanics (MECH 532, MECH 731, or MECH 732) and at least one graduate course
related to spacecraft attitude dynamics (MECH 632, MECH 712, or MECH 722). These classes can be
used to simultaneously meet other degree requirements (for example, as part of a technical sequence or to
correct a ABET deficiency). Students are strongly encouraged to take as many of the core courses as
possible even if they have taken undergraduate courses in these areas. The core graduate courses often go
significantly beyond similar undergraduate courses in these subject areas, and have been designed to
provide a strong academic foundation for anyone planning a career in a space-related field.

        The core astronautical engineering courses include:

            a. A course in dynamics; MECH 521 - Intermediate Dynamics
            b. A course in linear systems analysis; SENG 525 - Linear Systems Analysis
            c. A course in feedback control systems design; SENG 565 - Control and State Space
               Concepts
            d. A course in sensor systems; PHYS 521 - Space Surveillance
            e. A course in orbital mechanics; MECH 532 - Introductory Space Flight Dynamics
            f. A course in space environment; PHYS 519 - the Space Environment
            g. A course in spacecraft attitude determination and control; MECH 632 ­ Intermediate
               Space Flight Dynamics
            h. A course in telecommunications; EENG 571-Satellite Communications
            i. A course in space-related design; SENG 631 ­ Spacecraft Systems Engineering

(2)     Mathematics

The second element of the GA curriculum is mathematics. Each student must complete at least two
graduate-level mathematics courses. The particular courses each student takes are based upon
background and area of specialization.

Nearly all students take math courses that cover the following topics: advanced calculus, complex
variables, Fourier series, Laplace transforms, boundary value problems, linear algebra, numerical
methods, and probability/statistics. Two courses specifically designed to cover most of these topics are:
MATH 511 - Methods of Applied Math I and MATH 513 ­ Methods of Applied Math II. Other math
classes well suited to the GA program include, MATH 521 ­ Linear Algebra, MECH 712 Nonlinear
Oscillations/Math 605 Nonlinear Ordinary Differential Equations, and STAT 527 ­ Introduction to
Probability (STAT 527 is recommended for students planning on taking MECH 731 who have not had an
undergraduate probability course).

(3)     Specialty Sequences

The third element of the GA curriculum is comprised of the specialty sequences. A specialty sequence,
three or more courses in length, is an integrated presentation of a specific technical specialty. Each
program must contain two specialty sequences. One, designated the major specialty sequence, must
match the academic specialty code assigned to the student. The second may be in any technical area.

Each full-time student entering AFIT (except civilian students) is assigned an advanced level education
specialty code (Ed code). This code reflects the current requirements and availability of officers in each
specialty. The system of Ed Codes is used by the Air Force to determine both the number of students and
the type of advanced level education for each student. Over the last few years, students have been
entering the GA program with the following Ed Codes:

              Ed Code         Specialty
              4B*Y            Aerospace Engineering
              4ECY            Astronautical Engineering - Guidance and Control
              4EDY            Astronautical Engineering - Instrumentation
              4EEY            Astronautical Engineering - Rocket Propulsion
              4EFY            Astronautical Engineering - Space Facilities
              4EGY            Astronautical Engineering - Structures
              4EYY            Astronautical Engineering - General

For these listed specialty codes, students take at least one sequence in that specialty. (Under "Course
Sequences," each Ed Code is identified with its allowed sequences.)

Students with the educational code 4EYY (Astronautical Engineering-General) are free to choose their
primary sequence from all sequences shown under "Course Sequences."

Students with the educational code 4B*Y (Aerospace Engineering) choose their program (GA or GAE)
and their sequences after consultation with their advisor and the supervisor of their next assignment.

A special 7-quarter version of this program (Space Facilities Specialty ­ 4EFY) is available for students
from the Civil Engineering career field who are being prepared for roles in the development of large,
permanent space facilities.

In all cases, the minor sequence (student's choice) may be taken in an area outside the Ed Code specialty.
Students also may select their minor sequence from those listed with other programs/Departments.
Chapter 6 is a list of all specialty sequences offered annually by the Department of Aeronautics and
Astronautics.

                      SEQUENCE REQUIREMENTS BY EDUCATION CODE

              Ed Code         Sequence
              4ECY            Mechanics and Control of Space Structures
                              Advanced Astrodynamics
                              Vibration Damping and Control
                              Control & Optimization Theory
                              Aerospace Navigation
              4EDY            Aerospace Navigation
              4EEY            Rocket Propulsion
              4EFY            Space Facilities
              4EGY            Structural Analysis
                              Structural Materials
                              Vibration Damping and Control

   Other Recommended Sequences for Graduate Astronautical Engineering Students
                         Astrodynamic Re-entry
                         Space Navigation
                         Estimation
(4)     Thesis

The fourth element of the GA program, the thesis, is an independent investigation of a problem of current
Air Force interest, conducted and documented by the student, with supervision by the faculty. Theses by
previous GA students have been theoretical, experimental, and numerical. Topics for these theses are
sometimes suggested by Air Force organizations.

Error! Reference source not found. explains the thesis policies, procedures, and requirements for AFIT
and the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

(5)     Elective Courses

Electives may be used to establish another specialty area, to take courses particularly pertinent to the
student's next assignment, or for any other academically sound purpose. Any student with deficiencies in
the social sciences and humanities or other areas must use electives to eliminate these deficiencies in
order to qualify for the ABET accredited degree. The minimum credit hours permitted for full time Air
Force quota officers in a 6-quarter program are 72. The minimum credit hours permitted in a 7-quarter
program is 84.
Sample Program--18 Month GA Thesis Student

                       Master of Science in Astronautical Engineering
                              September - March (18 Months)
 Short Term Review (4 weeks)   September
   Mathematics
   Dynamics
   Computers
   Astronautics
 1st Quarter                                                            Credit
 Fall                                                                   Hours
   AERO 698                    Graduate Aero & Astro Seminar              1
   PHYS 5191                   Space Environment                          4
   SENG 5251                   Linear Systems Analysis                    4
   MECH 5211                   Intermediate Dynamics                      4
   MATH I2                                                                4
                                                                         17
 2nd Quarter
 Winter
   SENG 565*                   Control and State Space Concepts           4
   MECH 532                    Introductory Space Flight Dynamics        4
   XXXX XXX                    Sequence I                                4
   XXXX XXX                    Sequence II                               4
                                                                         16
 3rd Quarter
 Spring
   MECH 712 or MATH II2        Nonlinear Oscillations                     4
   MECH 632                    Intermediate Space Flight Dynamics         4
   XXXX xxx                    Sequence I                                 4
   XXXX xxx                    Sequence II                               4
                                                                         16
 4th Quarter
 Summer
   AERO 799                    Independent Study (Thesis)                2-4
   XXXX xxx                    Sequence I                                 4
   XXXX xxx                    Sequence II                                4
                                                                        10-12
 5th Quarter
 Fall
   AERO 799                    Independent Study (Thesis)                 4-8
   XXXX xxx                    Core Course1/Elective                      0-4
                                                                         4-12
 6th Quarter
 Winter
   PHYS 5211                   Space Surveillance                         4
   EENG 5711                   Satellite Communications                   4
   AERO 799                    Independent Study (Thesis)                2-4
                                                                        10-12

                               TOTALS                                   73-85
1. Core Courses as required to fill undergraduate deficiencies for ABET degree and to build a well-
rounded astronautics program.

2. Suggested Math courses are MATH 511, MATH 513, MATH 521, MATH 505, MATH 605, STAT
527, STAT 586 or a more appropriate math course consistent with student's background and research
interests.

This sample program is for a full-time AF quota student in an 18-month program.

NOTE: While it is possible to build a program with an approximately even load of 12 credits per quarter,
students are strongly encouraged to "front load" coursework in the first three quarters of their program
(16-17 credits) to free up time for thesis work in the second half of their program.