Special Topics:  ASEN 3519 Fundamentals of Human Spacecraft

 

Last taught - Fall 2005

 

This course addresses analysis and design of human space missions. Topics include: definition of top-level objectives, identification of requirements and constraints, development of concepts and architectures, and assessment of vehicle performance, mass, cost and risk. Systems engineering is stressed throughout the design process for human-occupied space vehicles.

 

Instructor: Dr. David Klaus, Assistant Professor, Aerospace Engineering and Associate Director, BioServe Space Technologies (klaus@colorado.edu)

 

Location: ECCR 139

 

Meeting Time: MWF 1:00-1:50

 

Office Hours: Tuesday 11-12 and Wednesday 2-3

 

Prerequisites: Junior standing, Aerospace Engineering, or instructor consent

 

Textbook: Larson & Pranke, Human Spaceflight Mission Analysis and Design, (McGraw-Hill) 2000

 

Grading Breakdown: 2 Homeworks (15% each), 4 Quizzes (5% each, 1 dropped), 2 Exams (25% each) and Class Participation (5%)

 

Saturn’s moon Titan

http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/050917_titan_shore.html

http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/050913_titan_life.html 

http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/solarsystem/titan_scene_001019.html

 

“Thinking Clearly About Space” (4 Part Series on www.space.com)

            Part 1 of 4

            Part 2 of 4

            Part 3 of 4

Part 3 of 4

 

“Why We Explore” - archived ongoing series of NASA Articles (first one starts at the bottom)

  

Topics Covered (corresponding Chapter)

Course Overview

An Introduction to Human Spaceflight (Ch. 1)

Designing Human Space Missions (Ch. 2)

The Space Environment – Hazards and Effects (Ch. 3)

Surface Environments (Ch. 4)

Physiology of Spaceflight (Ch. 5)

Human Factors of Crewed Spaceflight (Ch. 6)

Psychology of Spaceflight (Ch. 7)

Designing and Sizing Space Elements (Ch. 11)

Safety of Crewed Spaceflight (Ch. 8)

Transfer, Entry, Landing and Ascent Vehicles (Ch. 12)

Designing, Sizing and Integrating a Surface Base (Ch. 13)

Planetary Surface Vehicles (Ch. 14)

In-situ Resources (Ch. 15)

Thermal Control (Ch. 16)

Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (Ch. 17)

Crew Accommodations (Ch. 18)

Space Robotics (Ch. 23)

Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Systems (Ch. 22)

Mission Operations for Crewed Spaceflight (Ch. 26)

Space Logistics Support (Ch. 28)

Estimating the Cost of Crewed Space Systems  (Ch. 29) and NASA’s Budget Realities

International Crewed Missions (Ch. 30)

Titan Design Problem Discussion (~Ch. 31)

Final Exam Review

–Synopsis of Semester

Final Exam