Lecture “Space Transportation Systems & Projects”
The university lecture „Space Transportation Systems & Projects“ (LV-No. 0534 L 842/3) amounts to 8 hours per week (8 SWS). Along with “Space Systems Design“, “Space Program Planning & Space Operations“, “Satellite Technology“, and “Attitude Determination & Control“, it builds the basis for all lectures offered to students in the field of Astronautics during the summer term 2004 at the Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics at Berlin University of Technology.
The
aim of the lecture is to manage in team work the main development phases of a
complex system up to the testing of the prototype. This will be done with a hot
water propulsion system as a practical example.
The
lecture consists of interactive and often multidisciplinary team exercises and
work packages under conditions according to work methods of the industry whereas
work intensity, protocols, intermediary reports and presentations as well as
manufactured components build the basis of valuation for the participation
certificate. The lecture, which is held during two semesters, essentially
includes the following key aspects:
·
Project planning and organisation
·
Realisation of self-defined
objectives
·
Interdisciplinary team work
and communication
·
Design, manufacturing and
testing of hot water rocket propulsion components
·
Test facility operation
·
Rocket launches and take-off
assistance operation
·
Internal and external
presentations
The
winter term 2003/2004 was the sixth cycle of this lecture series. For each cycle,
the main project task always varies. The first part in the winter term usually
serves for the conception, construction and assembly phase while the second part
in the summer term is mostly used for system enhancements with the adjacent
validation and test phase. For this reason it is recommended to begin the
lecture in the winter term. In principle, it is also possible to start in the
summer term. During past cycles, the following projects were completed.
·
WS 98/99 & SS 99:
Development of the hot water rocket AQUARIUS SKYDIVER
·
WS 99/00 & SS 00:
Development of the hot water rocket AQUARIUS A-MAX II
·
WS 00/01 & SS 01:
Development of the valve assembly for AQUARIUS X-RATOS II
·
WS 01/02 & SS 02:
Enhancement of the AQUARIUS test facility (first part)
·
WS 02/03 & SS 03:
Enhancement of the AQUARIUS test facility (second part)/ test
phase
In
the current cycle (WS 03/04 &
SS 04), the two-stage hot water rocket B4-2 is being enhanced, manufactured and
tested.