Space: The Final Frontier

Project Syllabus

Abstract : The project aims to study the fundamentals of designing a space mission and to acknowledge the efforts made by space research organisations in designing and executing successful space programs. We shall understand the foundations of rocket design and propulsion systems along with the dynamics and systems which keep things that we sent to space, in space. Eventually, we shall look at the future of interstellar travel and what we must achieve before our goal becomes a reality.

Weekly Workload

6 hr / week (Tentative)

Mentors: Mubashshir Uddin, Sunny Kumar Bhagat, Varun Singh

Resources: YouTube Playlist, Handbook, Poster

Sub-Topics

( Sub-Sub Topics are tentative and may change accordingly)

• Rocket design

  • Von braun, Goddard and the early days of rocketry
  • SSTO's
  • Staging
    • Parallel staging
    • Serial staging
  • Aerodynamics
    • Max-Q
    • Managing shocks
  • Structural stress
  • Control During ascent
  • Abort systems
  • Heat Shield

• Digression: The Kerbal Space program

• Propulsion

  • Liquid propulsion
    • Types of fuel composition
    • Cryogenics and energy density
    • Monopropellant
  • Solid propulsion
    • Internal structure of SRB
    • Energy density of solid fuel
    • Ignition and Control in SRB's
  • Engine design
    • Types of engines
      • Pressure Fed
      • Electric engine
      • Combustion cycles
        • Open cycle
          • Gas generator cycle
          • Expander cycle
        • Closed cycle combustion
          • Combustion tap-off
          • Full flow staged combustion
    • Atomisation and pintle injectors
    • Instabilities during combustion
    • Efficiency of engines(specific impulse)
    • Efficiency vs Design(aerospikes)
    • Vacuum engines vs terrestrial engines
    • Thermal management
      • Ablative protection
      • Regenerative cooling
      • Film/Curtain cooling
    • Fuel rich mix vs oxidiser rich mix

• Communication

  • Space network
  • The Deep space network

• Orbital dynamics

  • Control in vacuum
  • Transfer orbits (Hohmann transfer)
  • Changing orbital parameters
  • Rendezvous and Docking in space
  • Gravitational slingshots

• Unconventional methods in propulsion

  • Ion drives
  • Atomic rockets(orion drive)
  • Laser powered systems
  • Solar sails
  • Alcubierre drive

• Habitability

  • Radiation Protection methods
  • Waste and energy management
  • Terraforming
    • Makeshift habitats
    • Space mining
    • Comet slings
    • Geothermal management
  • Interstellar voyage planning
    • Hydroponics
    • Artificial Gravity and mechanism to generate it
    • Life extension technologies
    • Generation ships
    • Fuel production aboard interstellar ships
    • Habitats on alien worlds