This course will introduce spacecraft propulsion technologies with primary emphasis on engineering and system level designs. Basic theories of rocket propulsion will be presented to enable an understanding of spacecraft system requirements and propulsion system selection processes. Propulsion systems currently in use or under development for various civil and military spacecrafts will be discussed. Specific topics include, orbital maneuver, thrust vector control, cold gas system, mono and bipropellant systems and solid propellant thrusters.

• Fundamentals of Rocket Propulsion and Onboard Propulsion System Requirements.
• Cold Gas, Monopropellant, Bipropellant, Solid thrusters, and Electric Propulsion Systems.
• Introduction to launch vehicles
• Propulsion Systems Engineering and Design Integration Methodology (Pro AIAA Propulsion Design Software).

Spacecraft Propulsion (ISBN: 1-56347-128-0)
Author: Charles D. Brown
Publisher: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Education Series

Ahsan R. Choudhuri, Ph.D.
Department of Mechanical Engineering
500 West University, Mail Stop: 0521, El Paso, TX 79968-0521
Tel: 915 747 6905 Fax: 915 747 5019
Personal Web: http://faculty.utep.edu/ahsan
Laboratory Web: http://research.utep.edu/cprl/