ENGPHYS 3SP3

Space Systems Engineering

Undergraduate

Fall 2026 · C01

Readings

Nasa Systems Engineering Handbook: Nasa/Sp-2016-6105 Rev2 - FuLL colour Version
Nasa · Required
ISBN 9781680920901
eText Orbital Mechanics For Engineering Students (Revised) - Lifetime Access Ed: 4
Howard D. Curtis · 4 · Suggested
ISBN 9780323853453; 9780128240250

Fall 2026 · C01

Topics

Introduction
Systems Engineering - Design Process and Requirements Engineering
Space System Life-cycle: Phases and V-model, System Decomposition, Interfaces, PBS/WBS/OBS, TRL, etc.
Realization and Transition: MAIT, QA/PA, Risks, V&V, Models
Introduction to Orbital Mechanics
Spacecraft (Satellite) systems and sub-systems; launching, orbits and environment
Launch and Space environment: mechanical, radiation, thermal, vacuum, chemical
Orbits in 3D: coordinate frames and reference systems , time, orbits
Introduction to Spacecraft Dynamics
Spacecraft Communication
Spacecraft Attitude Determination and Control System
Wrapping up, the end: examples, Q&A
No Lecture

Readings

NASA Systems Engineering Handbook NASA/SP-2016-6105 Rev2
Nasa · 2017-10-19 · Required
12th Media Services · ISBN 9781680920901
Applied Space Systems Engineering
Thomas, Sellers, Verma · 2018 · Recommended / optional
Cei · ISBN 9780990429999
INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook
INCOSE · 2023-07-07 · 5 · Recommended / optional
John Wiley & Sons · ISBN 9781119814290
Orbital Mechanics for Engineering Students
Howard D. Curtis · 2020-08-31 · 4 · Recommended / optional
Elsevier S & T · ISBN 9780323853453
Space Mission Engineering The New SMAD
James Richard Wertz, David F. Everett, Jeffery John Puschell · 2011 · Recommended / optional
Microcosm Press · ISBN 9781881883159
Spacecraft Systems Engineering
Peter Fortescue, Graham Swinerd, John Stark · 2011-09-19 · 4 · Recommended / optional
John Wiley & Sons · ISBN 9780470750124
NASA Systems Engineering Handbook NASA/SP-2016-6105 Rev2 ISBN: 9781680920901 Authors: Nasa Publisher: 12th Media Services Publication Date: 2017-10-19
See source
Applied Space Systems Engineering ISBN: 9780990429999 Authors: Thomas, Sellers, Verma Publisher: Cei Publication Date: 2018
See source
INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook ISBN: 9781119814290 Authors: INCOSE Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Publication Date: 2023-07-07 Edition: 5
See source
Orbital Mechanics for Engineering Students ISBN: 9780323853453 Authors: Howard D. Curtis Publisher: Elsevier S & T Publication Date: 2020-08-31 Edition: 4
See source
Space Mission Engineering The New SMAD ISBN: 9781881883159 Authors: James Richard Wertz, David F. Everett, Jeffery John Puschell Publisher: Microcosm Press Publication Date: 2011
See source
Spacecraft Systems Engineering ISBN: 9780470750124 Authors: Peter Fortescue, Graham Swinerd, John Stark Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Publication Date: 2011-09-19 Edition: 4
See source

Fall 2025

Topics

Near-Earth missions
Orbital mechanics (with a relativity primer
Propulsion and power systems
Radio and optical communications
Effects of radiation
Observational instrumentation

Readings

“NASA systems engineering handbook NASA SP-2016-6105 Rev2” Hirshorn, Steven R., Linda D. Voss, and Linda K. Bromley. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 2017. Available free online:
required
Fortescue, Peter, Graham Swinerd, and John Stark, “Spacecraft systems engineering”. John Wiley & Sons
recommended
Curtis, Howard D. “Orbital mechanics for engineering students.” Butterworth-Heinemann, 2013.
recommended
Wertz, James Richard, David F. Everett, and Jeffery Puschell. "Space mission engineering: the new SMAD.", 2011.
recommended
W. Larson, D. Kirkpatrick, J. Sellers, D. Thomas, D. Verma “Applied Space Systems Engineering”, McGraw Hill, 2009.
recommended
David D. Walden et al, “INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook”, Wiley, 2023, 5th edition
5th edition · recommended

Sources