Aerospace dynamics.

Teacher(s)

Caprace Denis-Gabriel;

Language

English
> French-friendly

Main themes

• Universal gravitation and applications.
• Aircraft dynamics : equilibrium, stability and control.
• Launchers.
• Satellite orbits and attitude stability.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	In consideration of the reference table AA of the program "Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering", this course contributes to the development, to the acquisition and to the evaluation of the following experiences of learning: AA1.1, AA1.2, AA1.3 AA2.1, AA2.2, AA2.3, AA2.4, AA2.5 AA3.3 AA4.1, AA4.2, AA4.3, AA4.4 AA5.1, AA5.2, AA5.3, AA5.4, AA5.5, AA5.6 AA6.1, AA6.4 Introduce students to the specific issues of aircraft dynamics, launcher systems and dynamics, and satellite dynamics.

Content

Aeronautics

• Aircraft performance: range, endurance, loads, 
• Aircraft static stability
• Aircraft dynamics: summary of rigid body mechanics, aircraft natural modes, dynamic stability, control
• Special topics: glider performance flight and/or helicopter flight

Space 

• Rocket propulsion
• Launcher dynamics and staging optimisation.
• Satellite dynamics : orbits, transfers, rendezvous, attitude stability.

Teaching methods

Lectures
Combined use of a slides and virtual board
Slides and virtual board contents are provided to the students every other lecture at the latest 

Evaluation methods

Students are evaluated based on homework assignments to be done during the semester, and a final exam. The calculation of the final grade obtained by the student for the course is a weighted sum of the grade obtained for the final exam (for 70 %) and of the grades obtained for the work to be performed during the quadrimester (for 30 %).
If the student does not obtain the credit for the class at the first deliberation of June, the grade obtained for the work to be performed during the quadrimester remains acquired for the second session of August. He/she can only retake the exam.
The questions of the homework, laboratory statements, and exam are in English. Answers are accepted in English or French.
Homeworks
The homework assignments correspond to work that is mandatory and that must be performed during the quadrimester; each within a well-defined time period and with a given deadline for the report. Each homework assigment is graded based on the written report and a short oral presentation and discussion, unless otherwise specified.
The homework assignments are individual unless announced otherwise. 
It is not possible to do, or even re-do, any of the work mentioned above outside of the time period that was defined for it within the quadrimester.  
Final exam
The final exam is a written exam, with questions that can cover all parts of the course.  The exam is subdivided into 2 parts:

• theory
• practical exercises

For the second session, the final exam may be a written or an oral exam.

Other information

Programming skills in matlab or python are recommended

Online resources

https://moodle.uclouvain.be/course/view.php?id=1538

Bibliography

• J.D. ANDERSON, Introduction to Flight
• B. ETKIN Dynamics of Flight - Stability and Control
• L. GEORGE, J-F VERNET, J-C WANNER La mécanique du vol
• J.W. CORNELISSE, H.F.R. SCHÖYER, K.F. WAKKER Rocket Propulsion and Spaceflight Dynamics
• G. LEISHMANN, Helicopter Aerodynamics

Faculty or entity

> MECA