SD2815 Rocket Science 6.0 credits

In order to create a natural and creative learning environment, a peer learning approach is used in the course. You will therefore belong to a student team that meets on a regular basis to discuss around selected parts of the literature, and decide on topics that need further attention in the course. You will treat topics like rocket propulsion and performance, two-body orbital mechanics, geocentric orbits and trajectories, and interplanetary transfers.   The technical work in the course mainly consists of two project assignments – one on rocket performance analysis and one on space mission planning. 

The overall objectives of the course are that you should be able to

• derive and explain fundamental of rocket propulsion, including the thrust equation, the specific impulse of a rocket engine, the rocket equation for burnout velocity and rocket staging,
• perform a preliminary performance analysis of a sounding rocket, in terms of the peak acceleration, apogee altitude and flight time to apogee,
• use Newton's law of universal gravitation to derive the equations of motion for the restricted two-body problem, and explain fundamentals of orbital mechanics based on their orbital and trajectory solutions, and
• on a conceptual level, plan a geocentric or interplanetary space mission, including the determination of suitable trajectories, the energy required and the approximate mass and number of stages of the booster.  

Besides from the aims related to your knowledge and skills in rocket science, the course also aims at improving your ability to

• learn with and from colleagues having a different background than yourself,
• approach and develop valid solution strategies to complex engineering problems,
• present your results and conclusions effectively, and
• review and give feedback on work performed by a colleague.

Base program T or equivalent background.

Basic knowledge in calculus, linear algebra, numerical methods, mechanics and fluid mechanics. Experience of programming in Matlab is an advantage, but you are allowed to solve the project assignments by any means.

Hale, F. J., Introduction to Space Flight, Pearson Higher Education, 1993.

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

• PRO1 - Project, 2.0 credits, grading scale: P, F
• PRO2 - Project, 2.0 credits, grading scale: P, F
• TEN1 - Examination, 2.0 credits, grading scale: P, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

Project assignment (PRO1; 2 university credits)
Project assignment (PRO2; 2 university credits)
Oral exam (TEN1; 2 university credit)

Dan Borglund

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.

The courses in the space branch of the aerospace engineering program.

Replaced by SD2816.