Everyone knows that MIT has an open course project. One of them is “16.885J / ESD.35J Aircraft Systems Engineering“. I am interested in this one because it was given by top scientists, engineers and managers in the field of space shuttle design, development and operations. Therefore, it offers first hand experiences and information in terms of system engineering of space vehicles.
I personally listened through all the video lectures of this course. One thing I have to say is that it is not a systems engineering course in general. Rather, it is an “Aircraft Systems Engineering” as the title says. So, it is an excellent reference if you are taking a class in an aircraft systems engineering somewhere else, or you are in this field and want to gain more knowledge and second hand experiences, or you want to know the history of space shuttle. I learned a lot from the course. Unfortunately, most of the slides used in classroom are not available on the internet. Sometimes, you would have to guess on speakers. Please note that there are transcripts available and it is particularly useful.
While I was listening this course, I put together a list of lectures.
Lecture 1 “The Origins of the Space Shuttle” by Dale Myers
Lecture 2 “Space Shuttle History” by Prof. Cohen
Lecture 3 “Orbiter Sub-System Design” by Prof. Cohen
Lecture 4 “The Decision to Build the Shuttle” by John Logsdon
Lecture 5 “Orbiter Structure + Thermal Protection System” by Tom Moser
Lecture 6 “Propulsion – Space Shuttle Main Engines” by J. R. Thompson
Lecture 7 “Aerodynamics – (From Sub – to Hypersonic and Back)” by Bass Redd
Lecture 8 “Landing and Mechanical Systems” by Al Louviere
Lecture 9 “OMS, RCS, Fuel Cells, Auxiliary Power Unit and Hydraulic Systems” by Henry Pohl
Lecture 10 “The DoD and the Space Shuttle” by Col. Pete Young (and Bob Siemens)
Lecture 11 “Use of Subsystems as a Function of Flight Phase” by Prof. Hoffman
Lecture 12 “Aerothermodynamics” by Bob Ried
Lecture 13 “Environmental Control Systems” by Walt Guy
Lecture 14 “Ground Operations – Launching the Shuttle” by Bob Sieck
Lecture 15 “Space Shuttle Accidents” by Prof. Sheila Widnall
Lecture 16 “Guidance, Navigation and Control” by Phil Hattis
Lecture 17 “Mission Control 1” by Chris Kraft
Lecture 18 “Mission Control 2” by Wayne Hale
Lecture 19 “Design Process as it Relates to the Shuttle” by Prof. Cohen
Lecture 20 “EVA and Robotics on the Shuttle” by Prof. Hoffman
Lecture 21 “Systems Engineering for Space Shuttle Payloads” by Anthony Lavoie
Lecture 22 “Test Flying the Space Shuttle” by Col. Gordon Fullerton
Tags: education, MIT, NASA, Space Shuttle, system analysis, system engineering
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