space engineering - ingegneria spaziale

Course overview
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to spacecraft orbital mechanics, covering the fundamental principles and methods required for the design and analysis of space missions. Students will acquire the knowledge needed to design, analyse, and control spacecraft trajectories, as well as the foundations of mission analysis and design.
Both analytical approaches and numerical techniques are presented for the design of Earth-centred, planet-centred, and interplanetary trajectories. The course begins with the restricted two-body problem and progresses to the characterisation, design, and maintenance of planetary orbits in the presence of perturbations. Transfer manoeuvres are then introduced, including orbit transfers, escape trajectories, and planetary capture phases.
The course continues with interplanetary trajectory design methods, gravity-assist manoeuvres, rendezvous and relative motion, and preliminary concepts of trajectory optimisation for impulsive interplanetary missions involving deep-space manoeuvres. Finally, students are introduced to the circular and elliptic three-body problems and to the application of dynamical systems theory for trajectory design in the Earth-Sun system.
Two guest lectures delivered by external experts will illustrate the practical application of mission analysis techniques through case studies based on real mission studies conducted for the European Space Agency (ESA).
The course combines traditional classroom lectures, problem-solving sessions, tutorials, and laboratory activities using MATLAB or Phyton. Previous experience with MATLAB is beneficial but not required. Students will work in teams of four to develop a group project involving the simulation and analysis of an assigned mission design and trajectory optimisation problem.
The final assessment consists of:
A simulation model and a report (maximum 15 pages) describing the methodology and results. The report and supporting material must be submitted by January 7, regardless of the date of the oral presentation.
An oral examination covering both the course content and the project work, to be taken during one of the scheduled examination sessions.
An individual written examination, to be taken during one of the available examination sessions.
Course aims

• To provide students with the techniques for the design of spacecraft trajectories around a planet or for interplanetary missions
• To provide students with an appreciation and understanding of the fundamental dynamics behind spaceflight
• To provide an overview of the techniques for trajectory optimisation and control and orbit maintenance

Learing outcomes

• To select the orbit for a planet-centred mission
• To implement in a computer code trajectory design techniques and characterisation of planetary-centred orbit
• To use techniques for numerical and semi-analytical modelling of perturbations for the characterisation of a new spacecraft orbit
• To design and optimise the manoeuvre sequences to perform an interplanetary mission with impulsive and gravity assists manoeuvres
• To use its own creativity to develop ideas for the solution of an interplanetary trajectory optimisation problem
• To implement the theory into an efficient and clear computer code for mission analysis
• To develop skills for critical review of their own results obtained via numerical exercises or computer simulation
• To actively participate to numerical and informatics classes for the verification of models and techniques related to space flight mechanics
  Soft skills
• To develop a group project and organise the teamwork.
• To develop presentation skills during the final presentation of the lab project
• To draft a report of a trajectory design project

Reference systems in space: astronomy concepts; celestial sphere; rectangular and spherical coordinates: local equatorial and ecliptic; Earth movements; the Solar system; time measurement; coordinates transformations; spherical trigonometry; interplanetary navigation; ground tracks.
Keplerian orbits: the fundamental problem of celestial mechanics; the Keplerian model; restricted two-body problem; Kepler equation; position and velocity as function of time; ephemerides; angular momentum; energy; orbital elements and state vector; ground tracks.
Impulsive dynamics: fundamentals; variable mass systems dynamics; mission launcher; multi-stage launcher; design and trajectory optimisation.
Orbital manoeuvres: thrust in vacuum; review of Hohmann transfer, bi-elliptical transfer, out-of-plane manoeuvre; station keeping; orbital transfer; rendezvous and docking.
Gravitational motion and interplanetary trajectories: escape velocity; orbit insertion; gravity assist manoeuvres; interplanetary trip; launch window optimisation; sphere of influence; patched conics; Tisserand plane; proximity manoeuvring.
Atmospheric trajectories: space vehicle manoeuvring in launch and entry atmospheric phases.
Orbit perturbation modelling and applications: the perturbation problem; Cowell, Encke, variational approaches; Lagrange and Gauss equations; disturbing function; semi-analytical techniques for long-term orbit propagation; solar radiation pressure, third-body perturbation, atmospheric drag, the Earth gravity potential model; gravity harmonics; design of frozen orbits.
Restricted three-body problem: N-body problem, Three-body problem, restricted-three body problem, Lagrange points, Jacobi constant, periodic orbits, introduction to manifold dynamics for missions at Libration point orbits.

Prova scritta obbligatoria, senza prove in itinere
Prova orale obbligatoria
Progetto/i - Elaborato/i obbligatorio, di gruppo, con revisioni periodiche, senza presentazione/discussione finale
Valutazione continua facoltativa (a scelta dello studente)
The course includes frontal lessons (with the aid of both board and slides) and labs to face numerical examples on theory topics. In addition, computer labs and tutorials will show the application of the numerical techniques to spacecraft trajectory design with Matlab.
The exam is divided in two parts to consolidate the theoretical understanding and the practical application of them.
Written exam with exercises and theory-based questions: to test and consolidate the solution of practical problems and the application of the theory to find solutions to them.
Group project on the design of the trajectory for a mission: group presentation and short report of the mission design computer assignment. During the presentation some theoretical questions will be also made to test the knowledge of the theory.
The final examination will be based on the evaluation of:
The simulation model and a 15-page report describing the model and simulation results, where model and report must be delivered before January 7, independently from the date of the oral presentation.
An oral presentation in groups of the Mission analysis assignment that can be performed in dates during each of the exam sessions.
An individual written examination, in one of the available examination sessions.

H. Curtis, Orbital Mechanics for Engineering Students, Editore: Butterworth-Heinemann, Anno edizione: 2010, ISBN: 978-0080977478
Note: 2009 (2nd Edition) or 2010 (3rd Edition)
D. A. Vallado, Fundamentals of Astrodynamics and Applications, Editore: Springer (Space Technology Library), Anno edizione: 2007, ISBN: 978-0387718316
V. Chobotov, Orbital Mechanics, Editore: AIAA Education, Anno edizione: 2002, ISBN: 978-1563475375
Note: 3rd Edition
R. H. Battin, An Introduction to the Mathematics and Methods of Astrodynamics, Editore: Revised Edition, Aiaa Educational Series, Reston, Anno edizione: 1999
M.H. Kaplan, Modern Spacecraft Dynamics and Control, Editore: Ed. Wiley & Sons
K.J. Ball, G.F. Osborne, Space Vehicle Dynamics, Editore: Clarendon Press

The primary goal of the course is to enable students to master the principles and methods that are necessary to understand and analyze the dynamics of flexible space structures, unifying the description of distributed and lumped parameter models and including the response to non-deterministic loads. Each topic is treated with a mixture of theoretical, analytical, computational and practical aspects.

Lectures and practice classes will allow students to:
identify and critically discuss the most important factors affecting the modelling, analysis and design of space systems involving flexible structures subjected to deterministic and random loads (DdD 1, DdD 3)
obtain distributed and reduced-order lumped parameter models of simple flexible structures (DdD 2)
analyze the dynamic response of space structures using modal analysis and time integration techniques (DdD 2)
build integrated and multidisciplinary state-space models of coupled dynamic systems (DdD 2)
understand dynamic problems having conflicting and/or incomplete requirements (DdD 3)
face similar problems not strictly related to space applications (DdD 2, DdD 3)

Introduction and motivation.
Review of topics and tools relevant to structural dynamics.
How structures vibrate, preliminaries (SDOF systems).
Modal approaches for discretized models - basics: free vibration, Mode Displacement Method, Mode Acceleration Method, time and frequency domain response.
Numerical solution of the eigenvalue problem.
Damping models.
Modal approaches for discretized models - advances: enforced base motion, dynamic substructuring.
Direct approach: numerical integration of structural EOM.
Vibration of continuous structures (brief introduction).
Dynamic response to random loads.

Prova scritta obbligatoria, senza prove in itinere
The examination consists of a single written test with:
2 true/false questions
2 multiple choice questions
1 open question
3 exercises
Questions and exercises cover the topics addressed in both the MODELING OF SPACE STRUCTURES and DYNAMICS OF SPACE STRUCTURES modules. The evaluation consists of a single overall grade, without separate evaluations for the two modules.
The final grade is based not only on the correctness of the solutions provided to the exercises, but also on the appropriateness of the proposed methodology and the clarity of the presentation. Similarly, the evaluation of the open question takes into account both the accuracy of the content and clarity, completeness, and quality of the exposition.

M. Geradin, D. Rixen, Mechanical Vibrations: Theory and Application to Structural Dynamics, Editore: Wiley, Anno edizione: 2015
R.R. Craig, A.J. Kurdila, Fundamentals of Structural Dynamics, Editore: Wiley, Anno edizione: 2016
L. Meirovitch, Fundamentals of Vibrations, Editore: McGraw-Hill, Anno edizione: 2001
J. Wijker, Random Vibrations in Spacecraft Structures Design, Editore: Springer, Anno edizione: 2009
J. Wijker, Spacecraft Structures, Editore: Springer, Anno edizione: 2008
P.P. Friedmann, G.A. Lesieutre, D. Huang, Structural Dynamics - Theory and Applications to Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Editore: Cambridge Aerospace Series, Anno edizione: 2023, ISBN: 9781108842488

The course provides specialized knowledge in space propulsion systems and related topics.
Two tracks are planned in this course:

• the 6-credit track is dedicated to students belonging to the M.Sc. of Aeronautical Engineering and focuses on high thrust chemical propulsion.
• the 10-credit track is dedicated to students belonging to the M.Sc. of Space Engineering and extends the previous track with additional lectures on electric propulsion, nuclear propulsion, monopropellants for in-space propulsion. This course is also offered to students of the M.Sc. of Nuclear Engineering.
  The course will:
• revise the concepts of thermodynamics, gas dynamics, and chemistry, specializing them for rocket propulsion;
• introduce to electrostatic, electromagnetic and nuclear propulsion (10-credit track only);
• analyze the details of the different propulsion technologies and related apparatuses;
• analyze case studies of propulsion systems and their applications;
• present models and methods for ideal and non-ideal propulsion analysis;
• propose methods for the conceptual design of propulsion systems (mainly thermochemical);
• train teamworking and reporting capability of students through collaborative project activities.

At the end of the course the students are expected to:
know the state-of-the-art of rocket propulsion units as well as their subsystems;
understand the driving factors of rocket propulsion system performance;
compute ideal and estimate real performance of a rocket motor;
classify and compare different propulsion choices and select the best option for a specific mission or application;
perform the preliminary design of a rocket engine and its subsystems, following mission specifications;
support design choices with proper justifications;
document and support design choices.

A wide range of propulsion configurations (both chemical and non-chemical) will be explored, referring to both high-thrust rocket motors for access to space and space navigation systems (10-credits track only).
The course will be conducted with lectures and exercise sessions.
The following subjects will be discussed during the course:
Propulsive missions and space vehicles
Gas dynamics of propulsive nozzles
Aerothermochemistry of propulsive nozzles
Thermochemical propulsion (solid, liquid, chemical-hybrid)
The 10-credit course track will also comprise:
Monopropellants
Electric propulsion
Nuclear propulsion
The course is complemented by:
two flipped class activity where students will face the analysis of rocket performance analysis and conceptual design; students can deliver a report on a volunteer basis which will concur to the final score.
a project where teams of students are requested to develop a rocket motor, according to given specifications; the activity will be evaluated and can concur to the definition of the final score, at student's choice; the project activity is not mandatory.

Prova scritta obbligatoria, senza prove in itinere
Progetto/i - Elaborato/i facoltativo (a scelta dello studente), di gruppo, senza revisioni periodiche, senza presentazione/discussione finale
The final exam consists of two parts:
Test #1: a closed-book test for theory assessment (12 questions, 12 points, minimum to pass 7 points, 1 hour-duration)
In this part the student should know the general theory, the meaining and trends of main formulas, the performance trends explained in class, the derivation of the simplest physical laws ruling rocket propulsion. The student has also to demonstrate the capacity of doing simple calculations on performance parameters and the understanding of the results.
Test #2: open-book written design test (1 exercise, 32 points, minimum to pass 18, 2 hour-duration)
In this part the student should demonstrate his/her propulsion design abilities, producing the complete design of a rocket motor.
Both tests are hold in the same day.
The result of the exam is obtained by:

• scaling the 7-12 point interval to a 18-32 points score range for the first part;
• taking the result of the second part as is;
• averaging the two scores with identical weight.
  The students must pass each part and score a minimum of 18 points in total.
  At student's choice, the Test#2 can be replaced by the evaluation of the final workshop described hereabove.
  In the project, the student is evaluated for his/her technical skills and team-work ability.
  The project scores 30 points. Two more points are attributed through peer evaluation by teammates.
  The evaluation of the project work will be valid for the entire academic year. After one year, the evaluation expires and the student will need to take the full exam.
  The teacher retains the right to integrate the written exam with an oral discussion, at his personal decision.

G.P. Sutton and O. Biblarz, Rocket Propulsion Elements, Editore: Wiley https://www.proquest.com/legacydocview/EBC/7104030?accountid=28385
Note: Main reference textbook
P.M. Sforza, Theory of Aerospace Propulsion https://www.proquest.com/legacydocview/EBC/787252?accountid=28385
Note: The content of the book can help to revise or build the background knowledge needed by the course.
P.G. Hill and C.R. Peterson, Mechanics and Thermodynamics of Propulsion, Editore: Pearson

The course teaches the fundamentals to approach the role of a System Engineer in the Space domain.
The goal is to prepare young engineers to become conscious of the complexity of space systems life cycle, analysing and being taught about each phase: the design, realization, assembly/integration, tests and flight.
A proactive and interactive methodology is applied, to let them learn by experience, mimicking the most relevant phases of the design process industries and agencies adopt to build up a space mission: from high level objetives, to functional analysis, requirement settling through design and analysis and tests plandefinition the student experiences the complexity of the multidisciplinary approach to adopt to tackle with system of systems coherent design. Lab exercises will be representative of real and current space missions under investigation in the space arena.
Each on board functionality is analysed in terms of models and numerical tool to size it into a subsystem, available technologies and new trends, alternatives comparison and selection procedure, impact overall system design. The strong multidisciplinary and dependence of each subsystem sizing all over the others technically, programmatically, economically speaking is also underlined and taught.
The competences students acquired along their curriculum studiorum will be recalled and exploited as theoretical basis to learn how preliminary design and assess performance of the on board equipments and harmoniously and efficiently build up the space and ground segments of a mission. Standards adopted in space to manage the technical and programmatic aspects of a complex space project will be discussed and presented to make students well equipped with tools needed as soon as they enter the working environment.
Lessons will alternate with labs focused on learning by experimenting in small groups, the mission design step: analysing objectives, identifying requirements, sizing subsystems for feasibility definition, technology settling, development and verification\validation tests planning.
Various tools, functional to the system of systems lifecycle management will be introduced, by working in a concurrent engineering environment.
Periodic reviews of short terms projects developed during laboratory activities, real companies visit, dedicated lectures on specific technologies and processes will complement the course to make the attendees ready to face a real space mission design in line with the real work environment approaches. The course is preparatory to a system design course to be selected in the next step of the university carrier.

The students attending the course will acquire:

• capability to face the design and development of a space mission, given the high level goals, from the technical and programmatic perspective
• capability to define possible technical solutions and critically assess and trade-off the possible design of each subsystem which composes a space vehicle, according to a selected set of decision criteria and compliant with european standards
• capability to identify and formalise technical requirements, according to the European standards procedures
• competences on possible modelling approach for each on board subsystem and mission aspects and available and adopted numerical tools and utilities, compliant with standards requirements.
• knowledge of the available and promising technological solutions and related performance and limitations,for each on board subsystem of a space vehicle
• knowledge of the whole space equipments and systems life cycle with attention to the verification and validation phase through tests and understanding of the main tests settings
• capability to work in team, to prepare and run reviews,, to efficiently present and argue obtained results

The course will go through:

• space system engineering: process, lyfe cycle, standards; whole system of system design strategies
• space environment: Sun, vacuum, radiations, atmospheres, magnetic field, micro-gravity, debris, their effects on space hardware, countermeasures and open points
• mission categories: mission categories, clients and users; payload class and working principles according to the mission classes.
• Payloads: overview of the possible different on board payloads: solutions; existing hardware, trends both for remote sensing and in situ analysis
  -Ttrajectory design: recall of basics of mission analysis for preliminary mission design in terms of CoM dynamics and control
  Launchers: basics of availability, principle for selection; performance.
  -GNC (Guidance, Navigation & Control): basics of navigation principles, autonomous and ground based, relative and absolute navigation: sensors and architectures, basic solving chain; guidance and control concepts: station keeping, trajectory control maneuvers
  -Propulsion subsystem: basics of chemical, electric, advanced propulsion solutions: principles, propellants, technological solution, available technology, performance and limitation, testing process, on going research; feeding solutions, architectures, sizing process.
  -Telecom and Telemetry subsystem & Operations: basics of signal manipulation, encoding and modulation, transmittion principles, international regulation, technological solution, available technology, performance and limitation, testing process, on going research; ground stations availability, signals manamgement and whole mission TMTC typical architectures, sizing process.Effects on on and dependences from the whole system design. Ground segments sizing and selection; Operations definition and management
  -Electrical Power Subsystem: power generation and storage principles; main space domain solutions sizing, technological solutions, availability, performance and limitation, testing process, on going research; electrical subsystem possible architectures, benefits and drawbacks. power budget generation and sizing process;effects on on and dependences from the whole system design.
• Thermal control Subsystem: thermal exchange in space: environment and criticalities, passive and active control approaches, principles for thermal flux control, available technology, performance and limitation, testing process. Sizing process, mononode modelling for preliminary sizing; effects on on and dependences from the whole system design.
• Attitude determination and Control subsystem: recall of the attitude dynamics determination and control principles: available architectures for space vehicles; available equipments for determination and control ( sensors and actuators):performance and limitations. Pointing budget generation;sizing process according to requirements, effects on the whole system design.
  On board data handling subsystem: possible architectures in terms of buses, processors, memories; available technologies and trends; performance and limitation, preliminary sizing process.Effects on and dependences from the whole system design
• Structural and configuration subsystems: approach to settle the space vehicles configuration; possible solutions and driving factors; dependence on the whole system design. structural loads; materials and shape selection; simplified monode modeling;sizing process and driving factors; testing phase. Effects on and dependences from the whole system design.

Prova scritta obbligatoria, senza prove in itinere
Progetto/i - Elaborato/i obbligatorio, di gruppo, con revisioni periodiche, senza presentazione/discussione finale
Final evaluation is based on the evaluation of specific already flown space missions to be reversed in engineering to understand the logic of the system design. Evaluation is done along the semester with specific assignements focused, one by one, on each on board subsystem. The work is done in teams of 6 students. To evaluate the learning process of each student, a written test in class is also mandatory. In particular the class test evaluate the acquisition of the design approach for each on board subsystem and its engineering drivers and technological alternatives; check the capability to size any of the on board sub-system, given a set of mission\system requirements.

Wiley J. Larson, James R. Wertz, Space Mission Analysis and Design, Editore: Space Technology Library
Vincent L. Pisacane, Fundamentals of Space Systems, Editore: Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratories Series in Science and Engineering
Peter Fortescue, Graham Swinerd, John Stark, Spacecraft Systems Engineering 4th Edition
David G. Gilmore, Spacecraft Thermal Control Handbook: Fundamental Technologies 2nd Edition
Thomas P. Sarafin, Spacecraft Structures and Mechanisms: From Concept to Launch

This course covers the analysis and modelling of the attitude dynamics of a spacecraft in Earth orbit. You will develop the knowledge to implement modern determination and control algorithms using typical attitude actuators and sensors. You will develop a complete simulation of the attitude dynamics, determination and control of a nano-spacecraft in Earth orbit suitable for preliminary mission analysis and control design. You will also learn to use analysis tools from dynamical systems and control theory to design determination and control algorithms.

Learning outcome 1 - To understand the natural dynamics of a spacecraft in a typical space environment. To understand how you can exploit the natural dynamics for passive stabilization.
Learning outcome 2 - To understand how the attitude of the spacecraft is determined autonomously using various sensor portfolios.
Learning outcome 3 - To understand how the attitude of the spacecraft is controlled autonomously using various actuators.
Learning outcome 4 - To be able to understand the fundamental theory and analytical analysis tools required to design attitude determination and control algorithms.
Learning outcome 5 - To be able to develop an attitude dynamics model and implement attitude determination and control algorithms in Matlab/Simulink.

Attitude Dynamics and kinematics of spacecraft

• Spacecraft Dynamics: Angular momentum and Energy, Euler equations – Torque-free motion of a rigid body - stability - simple spin stability (with and without energy dissipation), dual-spin spacecraft - numerical and analytical analysis, passive control methods.
• Attitude Representation and kinematics: Mathematical representation of rotational motion using (i) Direction cosine matrices (ii) Euler axis and angle (iii) Quaternions (iv) Gibbs vector (v) Euler angles. Frames of reference - inertial frame, body fixed frame and the LVLH frame.
• Space environment modelling: Developing models of environmental disturbance torques due to air drag, solar radiation pressure, magnetic torque, gravity gradient.
  Attitude Determination
• Attitude determination: Determination algorithms (for pointing and 3-stabilization applications) based on Linear state observers in the LVLH frame using single vector reference sensors e.g. Earth horizon sensors and Sun sensors.
• Static determination methods: using combinations of sensors to compute the attitude of the spacecraft e.g magnetometers, Sun sensors, Earth horizon sensors and star sensors. The development of algorithms based on algebraic methods e.g TRIAD and numerical methods e.g. q-method, QUEST method, constrained and unconstrained optimization.
• Dynamic determination methods: nonlinear observers for filtering noise and dynamic attitude determination.
  Spacecraft attitude control
• De-tumbling: development of basic de-tumbling control algorithms for spacecraft in the case of continuous actuation and "on-off" actuation typical of thrusters. Stability analysis of the controlled system via energy-based methods. Consideration of disturbances in the proof of stability. Angular velocity measurement with gyros.
• Attitude pointing and 3-axis stabilization: Control algorithms for pointing and 3-axis stabilization in Earth orbit based on the Local vertical Local horizontal frame and linear control methods such as LQR for continuous and discrete controls. Stability analysis of spacecraft motion in Earth orbit.
  -Introduction to linear and nonlinear control design: Attitude control design for spacecraft based on state space methods and Lyapunov control functions. An application to de-tumbling and slew motions.
  -Attitude control for typical spacecraft actuators: Based on the control laws developed in the previous sections (ideal control) develop control laws for real actuators such as reaction wheels, control moment gyros, magnetic torquers and thrusters. Use SIMULINK to size actuators. Develop unique control laws for thrusters and magnetic torquers including the case where you cannot provide torque instantaneously in every direction.
  -Nonlinear tracking control: Designing attitude tracking references and controls that can undertake continuous motion such as pointing to the Earth while motioning to maximise power generation.
  -Implementation in Simulink: Implementing the dynamic and kinematic equations of a spacecraft in low Earth orbit for analysis, control development and actuator sizing. Implementation of determination and control algorithms.

Prova orale obbligatoria
Progetto/i - Elaborato/i obbligatorio, di gruppo, con revisioni periodiche, con presentazione/discussione finale
The course includes traditional classroom lectures and laboratory sessions using Matlab and Simulink. Previous experience with Matlab and/or Simulink is highly desirable but not essential. Students will have to develop a group project, consisting in the development of a simulation of an assigned attitude dynamics and control problem. Groups will be composed by 4 students.
The final examination will be based on the evaluation of:

• (i) the simulation model and a 20 page report describing the model and simulation results, where model and report must be delivered before January 7, independently from the date of the oral exam;
• (iii) an individual oral examination, in one of the available examination sessions.

F. Landis Markley, J. L. Crassidis, Fundamentals of Spacecraft Attitude Determination and Control, Editore: Springer
B. Friedland, Control system design: an introduction to state-space methods, Editore: McGraw-Hill
Pesce, V.; Colagrossi, A.; Silvestrini, S., Modern Spacecraft Guidance, Navigation, and Control: From System Modeling to AI and Innovative Applications, Editore: Elsevier, Anno edizione: 2022, ISBN: 978-0-323-90916-7 https://doi.org/10.1016/C2020-0-03563-2
J.Wertz, Spacecraft Attitude Determination and Control, Editore: D.Reidel Publishing Company
Bong Wie, Space Vehicle Dynamics and Control,, Editore: AIAA Education Series
M.J. Sidi,, Spacecraft dynamics and control: a practical engineering approach, Editore: Cambridge University Press

The course is aimed to students following higher degree programs (Laurea magistrale) in Aeronautical Engineering, Space Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Materials Engineering and Nanotechnology willing to complete their knowledge with concepts of structural mechanics, materials science and technology, which were introduced in previous courses (as for example Tecnologie e Materiali Aerospaziali I).
The topics covered concern special and advanced materials, structures and technologies for aerospace applications. This includes:
· advanced composites, materials for gossamer structures, thermal protections, smart materials, self-healing and bio-mimetic materials,
· morphing structures, smart systems (equipped with smart sensing/actuation materials), micro and nano systems (MEMS, NEMS),
· rapid prototyping and additive manufacturing.
Consideration will be given to aspects related to the health of aeronautic/space structures comprising functional degradation, damage inspection and repair techniques.
The program will be shortened by 2 or 3 CFU by excluding some topics in agreement with their background for students belonging to Mechanical Engineering and Materials and Nanotechnology Engineering Degree Programs.

After attending the course and after the final examination, the student will:
· know the physical principles, main characteristics and properties of the materials of interest in aerospace applications;
· know the technologies in use in aerospace applications;
· know the working principles of the main smart materials and innovative materials;
· know the current research trends in the application of smart materials, innovative materials and smart structures;
· be able to apply the above knowledge to a critical description and discussion of the devices and related materials properties, limitations and developments;
· be able to apply the above described knowledge to the design of new structural components
These learning outcomes are expected to provide the student with the needed knowledge tools necessary for successfully performing their future activities in an industrial environment, with particular reference to the design of specialized structural components and smart systems, with elements of general theory of the various components, computer-assisted design and implementation of technological demonstrators.

The program will cover aspects related to innovative materials and technologies as well as degradation issues in atmospheric and space environment, with particular reference to the application of special structural solutions. More in details:
Smart materials: principles and classification. Shape memory alloys, Piezoelectric materials, Fiber optics and their structural monitoring applications, Self-healing materials. Design of Smart Structures. Micro- and nano-technologies (Micro-electro-mechanical-systems – MEMS. Nano-electro-mechanical-systems – NEMS). Rapid prototyping and rapid tooling. Bio-mimetic concepts.
Degradation of materials in space environment. Thermal protection systems. Gossamer structures.
Fiber Metal Laminates – FML. Morphing structures.
Non-destructive testing (NDT). Repairing techniques.
Classroom exercises and laboratory activities will be devoted to the design, manufacturing and testing of smart systems, with elements of general theory of the various components, computer-assisted design and implementation of technological demonstrators.
More in detail, two group-based laboratory activities are planned.
The first activity involves the design, fabrication, and testing of a simple smart structure. Guidelines and tools for designing this structure will be provided during classroom exercises. The fabrication and testing phases will take place in the laboratory. Students will directly manage all phases of the activity, with the support of the instructors.
The second activity focuses on the design of a polymer component for additive manufacturing. The designed component is built and subsequently tested to evaluate its performance.
Both activities are designed to allow students to apply the theoretical concepts explained in the lectures, facilitating their learning and critical observation. At the end of the course, a brief presentation of both projects, followed by a collective discussion, is planned. This presentation contributes to the final evaluation.
Specific seminars are planned by engineers from the main aerospace Italian industries.

Prova scritta obbligatoria, senza prove in itinere
Prova orale obbligatoria
Progetto/i - Elaborato/i facoltativo (a scelta dello studente), di gruppo, senza revisioni periodiche, con presentazione/discussione finale
The examination consists in a written exam about the course topics, chosen by the examiner.
Text is organized in two parts. The first one consists of theoretical questions (both multiple choices and open answers) while the second one is a practical exercise. This second part is mandatory only to the students don’t take part to the laboratories activity.

Ashby, M.F., Material Selection in Mechanical Design, Editore: Butterworth Heinemann, Oxford, Anno edizione: 2003
Askeland, D.R., The Science and Engineering of Materials, Editore: Chapman & Hall, London, Anno edizione: 1995
Black, S.C., Chiles, V., Lissaman, E.J., MArtin, S.J., Principles of Engineering Manufacture, Editore: Arnold-Hodder Headline Group, LOndon, Anno edizione: 1996
Groover, M.P., Fundamentals of Modern Manufacturing, Editore: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Hoboken, Anno edizione: 2007
Kalpakjian, S., Schmid, S.R., Manufacturing Engineering and Technology, Editore: Prentice-Hall, Inc., Upper Saddle River, Anno edizione: 2001
Smith, W.F., Hashemi, J., Scienza e Tecnologia del Materiali, Editore: McGraw-Hill,Milano, Anno edizione: 2013

Main learning objective
The course aims to present the fundamental concepts that underlie the aerodynamics of compressible fluids, with particular emphasis on the hypersonic flow regime and the phenomena that characterize the re-entry phase of space vehicles.
A consistent theoretical background is necessary to fully appreciate the physical and engineering aspects of these re-entry flows. The student will learn to conduct a preliminary quantification of aerodynamic loads and heat transfer on flying bodies in high-speed flow. The understanding imparted will be on the physical processes that occur in high-speed aerodynamics to allow the prediction of these effects on hypersonic vehicles.
Methodological learning objectives
Sessions of practical work will allow students to apply the acquired theoretical notions to solving practical engineering problems.
Secondary learning objectives
Introduction to independent work during practical exercise sessions. Improvement of communication skills during the oral examination.

After passing the exam, the student:

• will know the fundamental physical and mathematical modeling of compressible, high-speed flows;
• will be able to apply the acquired knowledge to solve practical engineering problems;
• will be aware of the physical and technological issues that characterize the aerodynamics of hypersonic vehicles

Introduction to the kinetic theory of gases and Navier-Stokes equations: elementary concepts, binary collision, mean free path, Knudsen number. Statistical kinetic theory: distribution function, Boltzmann’s equation, equilibrium conditions, Maxwell’s distribution. The connection between the microscopic and macroscopic description of the gas. Flow regimes as a function of the Knudsen number.
One-dimensional and quasi one-dimensional compressible flows. One-dimensional unsteady compressible flows: Introduction to the theory of characteristics. Characteristic form and characteristic lines for scalar linear and non-linear equations. Discontinuous solutions. Integral and differential form. Fundamentals of acoustics. Speed of sound and Mach number. Theory of characteristics for equation systems. Region of influence and domain of dependence. Application to the homo-entropic flows: expansions and compressions, shock waves. Normal shock waves: Rankine-Hugoniot jump relations in the thermodynamic plane and as a function of the Mach number. Contact discontinuity. Moving shock waves. Reflection of a shock wave at a wall. Shock tube, general Riemann problem. Brief summary of quasi one-dimensional steady compressible flows: Review of the classical thermodynamics of ideal polytropic gases. Adiabatic and homoentropic flows, reference states, choking. Convergent-divergent nozzle flow.
Multidimensional compressible inviscid flows. Crocco theorem. Homoentropic and irrotational flows: the nonlinear potential equation. Irrotational supersonic flow: method of characteristics, Prandtl-Meyer expansion. Compressions, oblique shock waves. Shock reflections and interactions. Under-expanded and over-expanded supersonic jets. Linearized supersonic theory.
Hypersonic flows. Inviscid hypersonic flows: Shock and expansion relations at high Mach number. Approximate methods: Newton’s, tangent cone, and thin shock layer methods. High temperature flows: description of the relevant phenomena, vibrational nonequilibrium, velocity-altitude charts. Chemical thermodynamics of the reacting mixtures at thermo-chemical equilibrium. Damkhöler number. Shock and homoentropic relations at equilibrium conditions. Chemical nonequilibrium.
Viscous compressible flows. Compressible Couette flow: energy integral, adiabatic recovery temperature, recovery factor. Velocity and temperature profiles. Boundary layers: Prandtl’s equation for the compressible boundary layer. Reynolds analogy. Similar solutions for the stagnation point region. Turbulent boundary layer, reference temperature method. Shock wave-boundary layer interaction.
Re-entry trajectory analysis: Ballistic and lifting re-entry. Ballistic coefficient. Equation of motion and simplified aerodynamic modeling. Re-entry analysis tools: object-oriented and spacecraft-oriented codes.

Prova scritta obbligatoria, senza prove in itinere
Prova orale obbligatoria
Learning typology: theoretical lessons, practical exercise sessions.
Evaluation procedures: Students will be evaluated through a written exam and an oral colloquium. A satisfactory evaluation of the written exam is required for admission to the oral examination.
The written exam will include questions on theory and practical exercises. During the oral colloquium, the outcome of the written exam will be discussed, and the general knowledge on aerothermodynamics will be assessed.

J.D. Anderson, Modern Compressible Flow with Historical Persepctive, 2nd ed., Editore: McGraw Hill, Anno edizione: 1990
A.H. Shapiro, The Dynamics and Thermodynamics of Compressible Fluid Flows, Editore: The Ronald Press Company, Anno edizione: 1953
F. Sabetta, Gasdinamica (in Italian), Editore: Edizioni Ingegneria 2000, Anno edizione: 1999
J.D. Anderson, Hypersonic and High Temperature Gas Dynamics, Editore: McGraw Hill, Anno edizione: 1989
W.G. Vincenti, C.H. Krüger, Introduction to Physical Gas Dynamics, Editore: J. Wiley & Sons, Anno edizione: 1965

The course aims at providing the fundamentals of satellite design, analysis and testing, according to a multidisciplinary perspective. After introducing the classical project structure requirements, analytical and computational expertise is provided to calculate the main static and dynamic loads of a spacecraft lifecycle, together with the respective technical margins. The key concepts pertaining to the test qualification are illustrated case-by-case. The course topics are structured according to a step-by-step approach, starting from simple structural models and coming up to real structures, through appropriate generalizations. Linear static structural, static thermoelastic, modal, harmonic response, transient response and buckling analyses are addressed to, with some references to effects of possible nonlinearities.

The lectures of this course will allow the student to:
understand and critically discuss the most important challenges of the design, modeling, analysis and testing of space structures;
gain experience of building finite element models suitable for most common space structures analysis and ability to run the corresponding numerical predictions;
develop simple numerical tools useful to make the severity comparisons of dynamic loads;
critically assess the results of a mechanical spacecraft qualification test campaign under static and dynamic requirements.

Introduction: description and motivation of the course objectives and topics.
Overview of the main requirements for space structures: summary of typical high level requirements of space structures, with focus on mechanical aspects and on the dynamic coupling with the launch vehicle.
Mechanical analyses: the analysis typically performed for space structures are described, together with some theoretical background and lab practice:
Linear dynamic analysis: modal, frequency response (sine, random and acoustic) and buckling load calculation;
Linear static: mechanical and thermoelastic (structural mechanical margin verification and stability assessments);
Some insights about nonlinearities.
Mechanical testing: overview of the terminology and tools employed when testing space structures. Static, Sine, Acoustic/Random and shock testing description and understanding. Virtual testing simulations and their use.
Severity comparison of loads of different nature: probability and statistic recalls. The shock response spectrum, the extreme and ultimate response spectrum and the engineering meaning behind the 3-sigma rule are illustrated. Some examples of space structure mechanical qualifications achieved through load severity comparisons are thus provided.
Laboratory Activities: practical sessions spanning all the topics introduced during the course. Through representative case studies, students perform and interpret structural design, analysis and test-related activities typically encountered during the development and qualification of space structures. Laboratory exercises include modal, static, thermoelastic and buckling analyses, dynamic response evaluations under sine, acoustic and random environments, test prediction and virtual testing activities, experimental data interpretation and load severity comparisons. Particular emphasis is placed on launcher-spacecraft dynamic coupling, with representative exercises involving coupled launch vehicle–spacecraft models and the engineering processes typically adopted in coupled loads analyses.
SW used: MATLAB, Femap, MSC Nastran.

Prova orale obbligatoria
Progetto/i - Elaborato/i obbligatorio, di gruppo, senza revisioni periodiche, con presentazione/discussione finale
The examination consists of an oral exam:
open questions regarding the theoretical aspects presented during the course;
presentation and discussion of the course project work collecting the exercises and the work done in lab experiences.

Spacecraft Mechanical Loads Analysis Handbook, Editore: ECSS/ESA, Anno edizione: 2013 https://ecss.nl/hbstms/ecss-e-hb-32-26a-spacecraft-mechanical-loads-analysis-handbook/
C. Lalanne, Mechanical Vibration and Shock Analysis, Vol. 1-5, Editore: Wiley, Anno edizione: 2014
SPACECRAFT MICRO-VIBRATION: A SURVEY OF PROBLEMS, EXPERIENCES, POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS, AND SOME LESSONS LEARNED https://trs.jpl.nasa.gov/bitstream/handle/2014/48338/CL%2318-2645.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

The course trains on the space system engineering fundamentals in the design phase through strong hands on the problem to be skilled to face the role of a System Engineer in the Space domain.
The goal is to prepare young engineers to become conscious of the complexity of space systems life cycle, analysing and being taught about each phase: the design, realization, assembly/integration, tests and flight.
A proactive and interactive methodology is applied since the beginning of the course, to let them learn by experience, mimicking the actual process industries and agency adopt to build up a space mission: A set of space mission objectives and high-level requirements are given to the students who, in teams, have to build up a feasibility study of the potential mission in all its aspects and subsystems, from the satellite, to the operations, to the trajectory control, the tests and development plan and programmatics.
Starting from skills and competences already acquired in the former semester, each on board functionality is revised and deepened in terms of models and numerical tool to size it into a subsystem, available technologies and new trends, alternatives comparison and selection procedure, impact overall system design. Further technological and mission related domains are added and tought to gain a comprehensive view of the competences needed to face from Earth to space exploration mission design. The strong multidisciplinary and dependence of each subsystem sizing all over the others technically, programmatically, economically speaking is also underlined and taught.
The competences students acquired along their curriculum studiorum will be recalled and exploited as theoretical basis to learn how preliminary design and assess performance of the on board equipments and harmoniously and efficiently build up the mission.
The course is strongly proactive: the team of students work mimicking the design processes industries and agencies adopt, the concurrent engineering, and become responsible of a new space mission design, running sessions to size, assess, trade-off technical solutions for each on board subsystem to satisfy at the most the missions goals.
Periodic reviews, laboratory activities, real companies visit, dedicated lectures from experts on specific technologies and processes will complement the course to output 360° equipped system engineers to efficiently enter the world of work; they will be already skilled in the project management standards applied by space industries whenever developing any stage of a space mission.

The students attending the course will acquire:

• capability to face the design of a space mission, given the high level goals, including the space segment as system of systems, its dynamics control in each phase of the mission, its operations and its development plan up to the flight.
• capability to define possible technical solutions and critically assess and trade-off the possible design of each subsystem which composes a space vehicle, according to a selected set of decision criteria and compliant with european standards
• capability to identify, formalise and verify technical requirements, according to the European standards procedures
• competences on possible modelling approach for each on board subsystem and mission aspects and available and adopted numerical tools and utilities, compliant with standards requirements.
• knowledge of the available and promising technological solutions and related performance and limitations,for each on board subsystem of a space vehicle
• knowledge of the whole space equipments and systems life cycle with attention to the verification and validation phase through tests and understanding of the main tests settings
• capability to work in team under tight schedule and pressure, to prepare and run reviews according to industrial schedule, to present and efficiently present and argue obtained results
• consciouness of the space market and space industrial environment.

The course will mix frontal lessons, external seminars and visits ( if allowed by pandemic), team working on projects, regular every 3 weeks formal reviews for progresses discussion and design addressing.
Teams of 8-10 members are built from the beginning, working on a given mission goals. Each team member will contribute to the design and will be responsible of a specific technical area/subsystem.
With monthly rotation, a team leader/system engineer will coordinate and lead the team to progress in the design according to the intermediate requests given by the teacher.
Topics will include:

• short recall of space system engineering: process, lyfe cycle, standards; whole system of system design strategies
• short recap of space environment: Sun, vacuum, radiations, atmospheres, magnetic field, micro-gravity, debris, their effects on space hardware, countermeasures and open points
• Payloads: overview of the possible different on board payloads: solutions; existing hardware, trends both for remote sensing and in situ analysis
  -Advanced trajectory design: advanced mission analysis for preliminary mission design: constellations and formation flying, entry descent and landing, low thust trajectories sizing, non keplerian orbits design, B-plane, tisserand's planes, universal variable, with lab.
• recap of launchers: availability, principle for selection; performance.
  -GNC (Guidance, Navigation & Control): navigation principles, autonomous and ground based, relative and absolute navigation: sensors and architectures, basic solving chain; guidance and control concepts: station keeping, trajectory control maneuvers, with lab
  -recall of propulsion subsystem: chemical, electric, advanced propulsion solutions: principles, propellants, technological solution, available technology, performance and limitation, testing process, on going research; feeding solutions, architectures, sizing process.
• short recall on Telecom and Telemetry subsystem & Operations: signal manipulation, encoding and modulation, transmittion principles, international regulation, technological solution, available technology, performance and limitation, testing process, on going research; ground stations availability, signals manamgement and whole mission TMTC typical architectures, sizing process.Effects on on and dependences from the whole system design. Ground segments sizing and selection; Operations definition and management
  -Electrical Power Subsystem: power generation and storage principles; main space domain solutions sizing, technologicl solutions, availability, performance and limitation, testing process, on going research; electrical subsystem possible architectures, benefits and drawbacks. power budget generation and sizing process;effects on on and dependences from the whole system design.
• depening of the Thermal control Subsystem: thermal exchange in space: environment and criticalities, passive and active control approaches, principles for thermal flux control, available technology, performance and limitation, testing process. Sizing process, mid-complexity thermal network solving, numerical approach and available standardized utilities; effects on on and dependences from the whole system design., with lab
• recall of Attitude determination and Control subsystem: recall of the attitude dynamics determination and control principles: available architectures for space vehicles; available equipments for determination and control ( sensors and actuators):performance and limitations. Pointing budget generation;sizing process according to requirements, effects on the whole system design.
• On board data handling subsystem: possible architectures in terms of buses, processors, memories; available technologies and trends; performance and limitation, preliminary sizing process.Effects on and dependences from the whole system design
• Structure, mechanisims and configuration subsystems: approach to settle the space vehicles configuration; possible solutions and driving factors; dependence on the whole system design. structural loads; materials and shape selection; mono and multi-nodal analysis: approach and tools; sizing process and driving factors; testing phase. Effects on and dependences from the whole system design, with lab
• Testing activities for space: facilities, procedures, standards. Assembly Integration, verification and validation processes.
• robotics for space: overview, main applications, requirements, solutions and current technology, trends, basics for preliminary design
• Programmatics: project plan, preliminary mission costs estimation.

Prova scritta obbligatoria, senza prove in itinere
Progetto/i - Elaborato/i obbligatorio, di gruppo, con revisioni periodiche, con presentazione/discussione finale
Final evaluation is primarily based on the evaluation of the final product of the space mission design the team has been given.
In particular on the technical documentation that has to be delivered and the oral discussion with the Team at the final presentation event.
For the personal evaluation, it is also required to positively pass a written class tests. The test focuses on preliminarily sizing one of the on board subsystem sized also for the project.
The project evaluation will take into account:

• each team member participation, work effort and obtained results during the whole project development through the intermediate reviews and progress meetings
• Team evaluation of the final mission design - spacecraft, operations, etc - through the delivered documentation: report
• Team and members evaluation of the final mission design through the final presentation
• evaluation of the team working capabilities

All structural designers know that their structures must satisfy two basic criteria dictated by strength and stiffness requirements. In aerospace, most of the components are thin-walled, and consequently, next to the two basic criteria, one additional has always to be considered in case of components subjected to compression or shear stresses: the stability criterion.
In this course the students are introduced to advanced techniques of the analysis of buckling of aerospace structures. Emphasis is placed on deep understanding of structural models, their assumptions, ranges of applicability, and their implementation, so to provide students with design, analysis and testing knowledge for taking into account buckling phenomena in the aircraft and launch vehicles structures.

Successful students will have achieved the following objectives:
They will be able to model aerospace structural components using engineering theories of beams, plates and shells, and to apply energy methods for the evaluation of the buckling response
They will have gained an advanced understanding of the buckling phenomena, in terms of the technologies, principles and methods required to conceive, design, analyse and test aircraft and launch vehicle structures
They will have obtained capability to transform fundamental technical, economic and sustainable requirements into an integrated structural solution, establishing credibility in a discipline focused on current and future technology.

In this course the students are introduced to advanced techniques for the design, analysis and test of aerospace structures considering buckling phenomena. Emphasis is placed on deep understanding of the structural models, their assumptions, ranges of applicability, and their implementation for the design of current and future structural solutions.
The topics covered include:
Principles of structural analysis and stability
Buckling of beams, plates and shells
Buckling analysis under mechanical and thermal loads
Experimental methods of buckling of thin‐walled structures with laboratory activities
Design requirements, considering not only technical but also economic and sustainable aspects, related to buckling for aircraft and launch vehicles structures
Laboratory activities:
The course will include both numerical and experimental laboratory sessions, allowing students to apply the theoretical concepts presented in the lectures to the analysis and testing of aerospace structures.
During the numerical laboratory sessions, students will develop finite element models of plates and shells and perform buckling analyses. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the assumptions underlying finite element models, as well as their applicability and limitations. The numerical results will be critically evaluated, with attention to the influence of modelling assumptions on the predicted structural response.
During the experimental laboratory sessions, students will participate in the testing of aerospace structural components. The experimental setup and test procedures will be discussed, with particular attention to the selection of appropriate instrumentation. Following the tests, the experimental data will be analyzed and compared with analytical and numerical predictions, allowing students to identify and discuss possible discrepancies and their underlying causes.

Prova orale obbligatoria
Oral exam. The student should be able to illustrate and critically discuss the topics covered throughout the course.

T.H.G. Megson, Aircraft Structures for Engineering Students, Editore: Elsevier, Anno edizione: 2007
S.P. Timoshenko and J.M. Gere, Theory of Elastic Stability, Editore: Dover Publications, Anno edizione: 2016
R.M. Jones, Buckling of Bars, Plates, and Shells, Editore: Bull Ridge Publishing, Anno edizione: 2006
J. Singer, J. Arbocz and T. Weller, Buckling Experiments: Experimental Methods in Buckling of ThinWalled Structures, Editore: John Wiley & Sons, Anno edizione: 2000
Note: Volume 1 and 2
D. Edberg and W. Costa, Design of Rockets and Space Launch Vehicles, Editore: AIAA Education Series, Anno edizione: 2020
ECSS-E-HB-32-24A Space Engineering: Buckling of Structures Handbook www.ecss.nl

Parte I - Teoria della Combustione: introduzione fenomenologica ai processi di combustione, fondamenti di termodinamica chimica, fondamenti di cinetica chimica, equazioni di governo di sistemi reagenti multicomponenti, fiamme premiscelate e di diffusione laminari e turbolente, fenomeni di ignizione ed estinzione, combustione di flusso bifase, combustione supersonica e detonazione, combustibili e propellenti, impatto ambientale da processi di combustione.
Parte II - Analisi dei processi di combustione nei sistemi propulsivi: aspetti peculiari dei sistemi di propulsione termochimica, combustione in endoreattori.
Parte III - Materiali energetici per la propulsione aerospaziale: nano-materiali per la propulsione aerospaziale, tecniche diagnostiche avanzate in attività di ricerca sulla combustione.

L'obiettivo del corso è duplice:
1. Rendere gli studenti consapevoli delle complesse dinamiche della comunicazione e della persuasione, con un'enfasi speciale sulla componente personale (mittente/destinatario).
2. Equipaggiare gli studenti con abilità comunicative perché siano in grado di produrre comunicazioni orali, scritte e in forma multimediale che siano chiare e persuasive.
Il corso adotta tre strategie:

• Lezioni frontali
• Modalità "blended" e "flipped" (gli studenti accederanno in maniera autonoma a risorse online quali esempi di discorsi - in forma scritta o di video -, articoli, casi di studio, lezioni in video)
• Tutoring in presenza o in remoto (attraverso collaborazione "cloud") sui compiti da svolgere e sul progetto finale

In numerous contexts, technology is experiencing disruptive changes that will cause severe discontinuities with respect to the status quo, and will substantially alter the interactions between individuals and society at large. At the same, topical societal challenges are occurring, among which: the gender gap; the digital divide; a widespread ageing; an ever-increasing multiculturalism. These two complex realities share only vague tangency points, while they should deeply intertwine.
This course offers an interdisciplinary view on these topics, combining the disciplines of sociology and engineering. It will discuss why and how the different stages of technology design, ranging from user characterization, to adoption mechanisms, incentive policies and actual deployment of systems and services should consider socio-economic variables that capture the diversity dimensions defining the different individuals, thus shaping their relationship with technology itself.
The most relevant analytical dimensions driving the scene relate to the main structures of inequality in society: a) gender; b) age c) ethnicity; d) class; e) urban/rural divide.
These sources of diversity will be presented and discussed within an intersectional sociological framework, i.e., considering how these different socio-economic aspects interact when more than one is present in a single individual.

The course focuses on control system technologies used in the aeronautical field, with particular attention to the automation, electronics, computation, and mechatronic components. It covers the main architectures of signal acquisition, actuation, and control systems: controllers, sensors, actuators for motion control, and digital subsystems for signal processing. System-level aspects are examined, focusing on analog/digital hardware components, microprocessors, and communication buses, providing selection and sizing criteria.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
Recognize the value of advanced control strategies for single-input, single-output systems.
Design continuous- and discrete-time linear control algorithms for mechatronic systems in the aeronautical domain.
Apply principles of signal measurement, conditioning, and conversion to develop digital control systems.
Collaborate effectively with hardware, software, and mechanical specialists within multidisciplinary teams, developing complex avionics systems and associated testing and validation equipment.

Chapter 1: Continuous-Time Control Systems
Fundamentals of automatic control for linear time-invariant systems, control architectures, PID controllers, tuning methods, auto-tuning, desaturation, advanced control schemes, disturbance compensation, two-degree-of-freedom structures, cascade control.
Chapter 2: Digital Control Systems
Digital control architectures, sampling theory, sampled signal transforms, aliasing, zero-order hold, continuous-time analysis of hybrid control systems, controller discretization methods, Z-transform, discrete-time feedback analysis, direct discrete-time controller synthesis, selection of sampling periods.
Chapter 3: Integrated Digital Systems
Microcontrollers: architectures and peripherals, real-time operating systems, signal conditioning and conversion, filtering and isolation, analog-to-digital conversion, communication protocols (OSI model, industrial protocols, MIL-STD-1553, ARINC 429, AFDX), safety-critical systems.
Chapter 4: Mechatronic Control Systems in Aerospace Applications
Servomechanisms, DC and brushless motors, amplifiers, and PWM, motion transmission.
Laboratory Activities
The laboratory component provides students with hands-on experience in designing and implementing a complete control system—from building dynamic models and defining control strategies to digital algorithm implementation using rapid prototyping tools and experimental validation.
Activities are conducted on the ANT-X platform at the DAER department and are structured into four two-hour sessions:
1DOF Modeling: Using a single-degree-of-freedom configuration, students calibrate the drone’s attitude dynamic model. Sensor types and the embedded digital system architecture are explored.
Attitude Control: Students apply continuous-time PID controller design to manage drone attitude using linearized dynamic models. Emphasis is placed on industrial controller architectures, saturation effects, and measurement noise.
Cascade Control: Through discretization techniques, students develop a velocity–position cascade controller for attitude regulation. The impact of sampling period and discretization methods on system performance is analyzed.
Digital Control: Using Z-domain design techniques, students build discrete-time cascade control systems for 2DOF attitude-position regulation. Based on instructor-provided parameters, they select sampling intervals, design digital controllers, and evaluate system performance.

Prova orale obbligatoria
Progetto/i - Elaborato/i obbligatorio, di gruppo, senza revisioni periodiche, con presentazione/discussione finale
The final evaluation consists of two components:
Group Project
Students will work in small teams to complete a project based on a realistic digital control problem for an aeronautical system. The topic will be selected by the students from a list proposed by the instructor. The final deliverables include a written report and a simulated control system implementation. The report must detail problem formulation, system modeling, control system design, and simulation-based validation, applying the knowledge and tools acquired during the course. Finally, a discussion with the professor will be held to examine the design process followed by the students.
Oral Exam
Students will hold an oral test, covering both the theoretical foundations and practical implementation of control systems addressed throughout the course.
Final grades will be determined by a weighted average of the two components above.

Astrom Karl J. e Murray Richard M., Feedback Systems An Introduction for Scientists and Engineers, Editore: Princeton University Press, Anno edizione: 2008, ISBN: 9781400828739
Eric N. Johnson, Frank L. Lewis, Brian L. Stevens, Aircraft Control and Simulation: Dynamics, Controls Design, and Autonomous Systems, Editore: Wiley-Blackwell, Anno edizione: 2015, ISBN: 978-1-118-87098-3
Gianantonio Magnani, Gianni Ferretti e Paolo Rocco, Tecnologie dei sistemi di controllo, Editore: McGraw-Hill Education, Anno edizione: 2008, ISBN: 978-8-83-867275-0
Paolo Bolzern, Riccardo Scattolini, Nicola Schiavoni, Fondamenti di controlli automatici, Editore: McGraw-Hill, Anno edizione: 2025, ISBN: 978-8838668821

Transmission, propagation, and processing of ElectroMagnetic (EM) signals are crucial topics in any spaceborne application, including Telecommunication, Earth Observation, Navigation and Planetary Exploration. This course is aimed at providing students with an introductory, yet solid, knowledge of the physics of EM waves and basic Signal Processing methods, specifically intended for future space engineers interested in approaching the application side of the Spaceborne Industry.
The first part of the course is intended to provide the necessary mathematical framework to understand the propagation of plane EM waves. To this aim, the course will first introduce the students to the main properties of the electric and magnetic fields, and will then present the main features of uniform plane EM waves (e.g. propagation velocity, polarization, …), how they are radiated and received by means of antennas and how they propagate through different media. Also transmission lines, enabling the guided propagation of EM waves, will be described and characterized.
The second part of the course will formalize the mathematical concepts necessary to represent and analyze electromagnetic waves as signals carrying physical information, considering the general case of wide-bandwidth signals propagating at Radio Frequencies and their interaction with physical objects. Special attention will be paid to understanding the conditions under which signals can be represented as sequence of numbers in a computer, and to presenting signal processing methods to simulate EM phenomena and retrieve physical parameter from the received signals.
The course is complemented with computer practical classes (using Matlab) and presentations of case studies.

Lecture and practical classes will enable students to:
Know the principles and the physical laws regulating the guided (transmission lines and optical fibers) and unguided (free space, lossless and lossy media) propagation of electromagnetic waves
Have a clear understanding of the physics behind electromagnetic remote sensing, telecommunications and navigation systems
Have a clear understanding of signal representation and processing
Simulate narrow- and wide-band electromagnetic experiments (using Matlab)
Implement processing algorithms for the retrieval of physical parameters from the received signal (using Matlab)
Discuss a project with an expert in the field

First part (30 hours):
Electrostatic field: electric charge, Coulomb’s force, main properties of the field. Interaction of materials with electric field: conductors and dielectrics
Magnetostatic field: Current and current density. Main properties of the magnetostatic field. Magnetic polarization
Time variant fields and plane waves: Maxwell’s’ equations and EM fields. Wave equation and its solution for uniform plane waves in the time-space and phasorial domains. Phase velocity, group velocity and propagation constant. Lossless and lossy media. Reflection and refraction of EM waves due to discontinuities in the media: orthogonal (TEM) and slant (TE and TM)
Antennas: basic parameters of antennas (directivity, gain, directivity function, efficiency, beamwidth, …), types and application. Link budget in free space
Transmission lines: reflection coefficient and impedance at the load section and along the line, matching at the generator and/or load section. Lossy transmission lines: equivalent circuit with distributed parameters, power available at the generator and power transfer
Second part (30 hours):
From phasors to signals: signals in the time domain, basic operations, Dirac’s delta, signal representation using Dirac’s deltas, Time Invariant Linear Systems, convolution, frequency response, Fourier Transform and Inverse Fourier Transform, signal representation using complex sinusoids, bandwidth. Generalized representation of Radio Frequency (RF) signals. The complex envelope. Coherent demodulation schemes
Fundamentals of Digital Signal Processing: the sampling theorem, reconstruction of a continuous time signal, frequency sampling, Discrete FT and Inverse Discrete FT. Digital filtering in the time and frequency domain. Examples with audio and image processing using Matlab
Spherical waves and diffraction: spherical waves in the time domain, transmission and reception of RF signals in the time domain. Electromagnetic Scattering from extended targets under the Born approximation. Examples using Matlab

Prova scritta obbligatoria, senza prove in itinere
The final mark will be assigned based on a written exam at the end of the course (held during the official session). Past exams with solution are available on the course website. The exam will consist in:

• 2 problems on electromagnetics
• 2 problems/open questions on signal analysis and processing

C. Riva, G. G. Gentili, Handbook of Electromagnetics, Editore: Maggioli editore
B. Guru and H. Hiziroglu, Electromagnetic field theory fundamentals, Editore: Cambridge University Press
Risorsa bibliografica facoltativaAlan V. Oppenheim, Alan S. Willsky, Signal and Systems, Editore: Prentice Hall International
Lecture notes

Il corso affronta le principali questioni teoriche relative all'innovazione socio-tecnica (quali i concetti di base dell'innovazione tecnologica, le dinamiche di diffusione delle innovazioni, i limiti del determinismo tecnologico, l'agency degli oggetti tecnologici, la flessibilità interpretativa della tecnologia, genere e tecnologia) e analizza esempi rilevanti di tecnologie d'avanguardia che hanno un impatto sulla società e sulla vita umana, come l'Internet delle cose, la fabbricazione digitale, la realtà aumentata e l'intelligenza artificiale. Anziché focalizzarsi sul loro funzionamento, le prestazioni e i problemi tecnici, il corso affronterà le questioni etiche che esse sollevano e gli impatti sociali che producono.

The course presents methods and tools that enable students to formulate and solve model identification and data analysis problems, and to design and implement state estimation systems, with specific reference to Aerospace Engineering. More specifically, the course covers parameter estimation and output-error model identification; selected data analysis and learning methods; Bayesian estimation; state estimation; black-box model identification; and aerospace case studies.

Lectures and exercise sessions will allow students to:
Acquire a more advanced knowledge of probability, statistics, estimation and learning theory.
Formulate and solve model identification problems.
Familiarise with data analysis problems such as principal component analysis and data classification.
Design and implement state estimators for, e.g., aircraft and spacecraft attitude determination and navigation.

Part 1: introduction to estimation and learning in aerospace.

• Overview of estimation and learning problems in aerospace: sensor calibration, parameter estimation, model identification, state estimation, navigation, fault detection, fault tolerant control.
• Introduction to the theory of estimation and learning.
• Introduction to model identification: problem statement; grey vs black box models; linear vs nonlinear models; the notions of structural and experimental identifiability.
• The model identification process: from experiment design to model validation.
  Part 2: parameter estimation and output error model identification
• Estimation theory: the maximum likelihood method.
• Least squares estimation; recursive least squares and least mean squares as supervised learning.
• Time-domain output error identification of nonlinear state space models.
• Time-domain and frequency-domain output error identification of linear state space models.
• Random processes and spectral analysis.
• Frequency response function estimation.
  Part 3: selected learning and data analysis methods
• Dimensionality reduction and principal component analysis.
• Data classification and support vector machines.
  Part 4: Bayesian estimation and learning; state estimation
• Estimation theory: introduction to Bayesian estimation and learning.
• Optimal state estimation for linear systems: the Kalman filter.
• The Extended Kalman filter; overview of more general state estimation schemes.
• Continous/discrete formulations of the Kalman filter.
  Part 5: black-box linear model identification
• Problem statement: structure selection vs parameter estimation.
• MIMO black-box modelling: predictor-based subspace identification.
  Part 6: aerospace case studies
• Identification of control-oriented models for helicopter and multirotor flight mechanics.
• Attitude determination for aircraft and spacecraft: the Multiplicative Extended Kalman filter.
• Experimental parameter and state estimation for the longitudinal dynamics of a multirotor UAV.

Prova orale facoltativa (a scelta dello studente)
Progetto/i - Elaborato/i facoltativo (a scelta dello studente), di gruppo, senza revisioni periodiche, con presentazione/discussione finale
The students will be able to choose between an oral exam and a project which will be presented during the course. In both cases the evaluation will be also based on the clarity of the presentation. During the exam the students shall demonstrate that:
they have acquired a working knowledge of probability and statistics.
They understand maximum likelihood and Bayesian estimation and learning theory.
They are able to formulate and solve data analysis and model identification problems.
They can design and implement state estimators for, e.g., aircraft and spacecraft attitude determination and navigation.

Online course material webeep.polimi.it
Sergio Bittanti, Model Identification and Data Analysis, Editore: John Wiley & Sons, Inc, Anno edizione: 2019, ISBN: 9781119546405
Vladislav Klein and Eugene A. Morelli, Aircraft System Identification: Theory And Practice, Editore: AIAA, Anno edizione: 2006
Note: 978-1563478321
Mark Tischler and Robert Remple, Aircraft and Rotorcraft System Identification, Editore: AIAA, Anno edizione: 2006, ISBN: 978-1563478376
M. P. Deisenroth, A.A. Faisal, C. S. Ong, Mathematics for Machine Learning, Anno edizione: 2019 https://mml-book.com/

The course addresses the ethical issues that emerge in the practice of technoscience by showing how they arise and the way they permeate all steps of technological development. It is organized in a series of lectures and work sessions concluded with an essay. Topics include, for instance, the notion of responsibility, a review of normative ethics, ethical questions in the design and management of technology, the ethical aspects of technical risks, the distribution of responsibility in engineering, design, and architecture, the relationship among sustainability, ethics and technology.
After having completed the course students should: a) better recognize and analyze ethical and social issues inherent in technology; b) have insight into how these ethical and social aspects are related to legal, political, and organizational backgrounds; c) be able to explore and assess possibilities for solving or diminishing existing and emerging ethical and social problems that hamper the work of professionals and managers engaged in technological innovation; d) be better prepared to their future professional life in an ethically and socially responsible way.
Il corso affronta i problemi della tecnoscienza mostrando come abbiano origine e come permeino tutti i
passaggi dello sviluppo tecnologico. Esempi degli argomenti trattati sono: la nozione di responsabilità e il
problema della distribuzione della responsabilità in ingegneria, l'etica normativa e le varie teorie etiche, le
problematiche etiche relative alla progettazione e alla manutenzione dei sistemi tecnologici, gli aspetti etici
connessi alla gestione del rischio, la relazione fra sostenibilità, etica e tecnologia. Si farà continuamente
riferimento a casi studio ed esempi concreti di problematiche etiche e sociali sollevate dal progresso
tecnologico.
Dopo aver completato questo corso, gli studenti dovrebbero essere in grado di:
a) riconoscere e analizzare i problemi etici inerenti allo sviluppo tecnologico nel loro ambito disciplinare;
b) avere un certo grado di conoscenza di come gli aspetti etici e sociali siano connessi a tematiche legali,
politiche ed organizzative;
c) essere in grado di esplorare le possibilità di risoluzione o riduzione dei problemi etici e sociali che
insorgono nei processi di innovazione tecnologica;
d) essere preparati ad affrontare le future sfide professionali in modo etico e socialmente responsabile.

In un contesto sempre più dinamico, le competenze di project management sono fondamentali per sviluppare progetti aerospaziali di successo. Questo corso rappresenta un’opportunità per integrare la preparazione tecnica con capacità gestionali e manageriali.
Il corso si propone di fornire agli studenti le conoscenze, le metodologie e gli strumenti tecnici e manageriali necessari per pianificare, gestire e controllare progetti complessi nei settori aeronautico e spaziale. Particolare attenzione sarà dedicata all’evoluzione dei settori (e.g., space economy), e al loro impatto sulle pratiche di project management.
Il corso è fortemente orientato alla pratica. Esso prevede l’interazione diretta con professionisti del settore attraverso testimonianze, laboratori pratici e l’uso di software professionali, e lo sviluppo di un lavoro di gruppo su sfide reali di project management.
Il corso si propone di fornire agli studenti le conoscenze, le metodologie e gli strumenti tecnici e manageriali necessari per pianificare, gestire e controllare progetti complessi nei settori aeronautico e spaziale. Particolare attenzione sarà dedicata all’evoluzione dei settori (e.g., space economy), e al loro impatto sulle pratiche di project management.

Dublin Descriptors
Risultati di apprendimento attesi
Conoscenza e capacità di comprensione
Gli studenti acquisiranno la capacità di

• Comprendere i fondamenti del project management in contesti aerospaziali
• Riconoscere il ciclo di vita di un progetto, le strutture organizzative e i modelli di governance
• Comprendere l’impatto dei nuovi trend (es. space economy, stazioni spaziali commerciali) sul project management
  · Cogliere le scelte strategiche come il make-or-buy e la riconfigurazione delle catene del valore nei progetti complessi
  Capacità di applicare conoscenza e comprensione
  Di fronte a scenari progettuali specifici, gli studenti saranno in grado di:
• Strutturare un piano di progetto comprendente ambito, tempi e costi
• Utilizzare strumenti di project management (es. MS Project) per la pianificazione e il controllo
• Applicare tecniche di pianificazione e controllo lungo l’intero ciclo di vita del progetto
• Applicare tecniche di project management a casi aerospaziali
  Autonomia di giudizio
  Gli studenti acquisiranno la capacità di
• Valutare le tecniche di project management e il loro impatto sui processi decisionali
• Analizzare i compromessi tra rischio, tempo, ambito e risorse
• Valutare l’adeguatezza delle tecniche emergenti nei progetti aerospaziali complessi
• Riflettere criticamente su casi industriali reali e trarne implicazioni gestionali
  Abilità comunicative
  Gli studenti saranno in grado di:
• Comunicare efficacemente all’interno dei team di progetto e con i professionisti del settore
• Presentare l’avanzamento e la logica dei propri lavori progettuali
• Partecipare a sessioni strutturate di domande e risposte con esperti
• Tradurre decisioni tecniche in termini comprensibili per stakeholder diversi
  Capacità di apprendere
  Gli studenti svilupperanno la capacità di:
• Lavorare in autonomia su attività progettuali complesse
• Integrare prospettive tecniche e gestionali
• Apprendere dall’interazione con professionisti e contesti reali
• Utilizzare strumenti professionali per supportare l’apprendimento continuo nei contesti di progetto

Il corso si articola in tre componenti fondamentali:
Lezioni accademiche: lezioni sui fondamenti e le prospettive rilevanti del Project Management.
Interazione con l’industria e i professionisti: saranno invitati rappresentanti di aziende per offrire agli studenti esperienze reali. Uno o più progetti aerospaziali concreti saranno presentati e discussi, con domande e sfide specifiche proposte agli studenti e analizzate insieme agli esperti.
Sviluppo del lavoro di progetto: agli studenti sarà richiesto di sviluppare un lavoro su una sfida reale di project management aerospaziale. Valuteranno criticamente la sfida e presenteranno i risultati in gruppo. Alcune lezioni saranno dedicate a introdurre il lavoro, fornire feedback durante lo sviluppo e presentare i risultati finali.
Il corso affronta i fondamenti di project management e la gestione dei progetti aerospaziali; analizza il ciclo di vita del progetto, le strutture organizzative e i ruoli chiave; approfondisce i modelli di governance e il contesto delle Commercial Space Stations (CSS). La pianificazione e il controllo coprono la definizione dell’ambito, la schedulazione, la stima dei costi, la gestione del rischio e l’uso pratico di MS Project.. Il monitoraggio e controllo del progetto sono ulteriormente approfonditi con laboratori pratici. La parte finale affronta temi strategici come le scelte make-or-buy, la riconfigurazione della catena del valore, modelli agili e servizi come nuovi paradigmi di gestione. Sono previste sessioni di lavoro di gruppo per lo sviluppo del progetto. Vengono invitati professionisti del settore per discutere dell’esperienza e loro sfide.
Attività laboratoriali
Saranno svolte due attività laboratoriali. La prima relativa all'utilizzo di MS Project per la pianificazione e controllo di progetto, al fine di mostrare agli studenti come le tecniche descritte nelle lezioni sono implementate in un tool comunemente utilizzato per la gestione di progetto. La seconda sarà relativa alla gestione di progetto e direttamente collegata al project work. In questo secondo laboratorio sarà presentato un caso reale oggetto del lavoro di progetto e sarà chiesto agli studenti in gruppo di raccogliere informazioni rilevanti per il project work stesso. La finalità del laboratorio è di stimolare la capacità critica nell'analisi dei dati di progetto.

Prova scritta obbligatoria, senza prove in itinere
Progetto/i - Elaborato/i obbligatorio, di gruppo, con revisioni periodiche, senza presentazione/discussione finale
Il corso prevede la valutazione mediante un lavoro di progetto (50% della valutazione finale) e una prova individuale (50% della valutazione finale)
Il lavoro di progetto prevede lo sviluppo di un progetto a partire da un task assegnato dai docenti. Il task prevede l’analisi di un determinato contesto e lo sviluppo di una proposta progettuale a partire da un problema reale. Il lavoro di progetto sarà svolto in gruppi di 4/5 persone definiti in autonomia da parte degli studenti e comunicati ai docenti secondo modalità che saranno presentate durante le lezioni.
La prova individuale consiste in una prova scritta basata su domande teoriche, esercizi e analisi di caso, della durata indicativa di una ora.
La prova scritta è strettamente individuale e non è ammesso alcun ausilio se non quelli previsti ed approvati dal servizio Multichance. In particolare, durante la prova, il possesso di testi, appunti, strumenti elettronici (quali ad esempio smartphone, smartglass, smartwatch, ecc.) e tutto quant’altro non esplicitamente autorizzato dal docente e dai servizi preposti, oltre che il ricorso ad altri ausili non preventivamente autorizzati, comporterà l’allontanamento dalla prova e la segnalazione del comportamento illecito alla Scuola. In casi sospetti, il docente potrà richiedere una verifica orale di quanto svolto nella prova scritta e delle effettive conoscenze e competenze dello studente.

Tommaso Buganza, Matteo Kalchschmidt, La gestione dei progetti, Editore: Mondadori Università, Anno edizione: 2022, ISBN: 9788861848801
NASA Project Planning and Control Handbook, National Aeronautics and Space Administration https://ntrl.ntis.gov/NTRL/dashboard/searchResults/titleDetail/N160013229.xhtml
NASA Space Flight Program and Project Management Handbook, National Aeronautics and Space Administration https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20220009501
Jack R. Meredith, Samuel J. Mantel, Jr., Scott M. Shafer, Project management: a managerial approach, Editore: Wiley, Anno edizione: 2021, ISBN: 9781119803836

The course is aimed at providing both knowledge and know-how for the solution of heat transfer and thermal control problems, with focus on advanced engineering applications mainly in the aeronautics, space, mechanical and nuclear fields. An advanced description of conduction, convection and radiation heat transfer modes is provided in synergy with examples of application and the analysis of the devices and methodologies typically used in thermal control systems.

By the end of the course, students will learn contents and practices according to what defined in the learning objectives.
In terms of acquired knowledge and understanding, students will be able to identify, describe, interpret, and discuss the fundamental and advanced concepts about heat transfer by conduction, convection (also with phase change), radiation and methodologies for thermal analysis and control.
Concerning the ability to apply the acquired knowledge and understanding, students will be able to apply the previous concepts to properly model and examine simplified and complex systems and solve problems including external and internal heat transfer for different applications in aeronautics, space, mechanical and nuclear engineering fields.
Through exercises (also computer-aided), students will also acquire the skills to formulate a judgment, meaning to analyse simple and advanced heat transfer problems (mainly with combined heat transfer modes), selecting and explaining the needed assumptions, connecting theory and applications, comparing solution methods (e.g., analytical vs numerical) and inferring conclusions.
Furthermore, through the assigned exercises and computer-aided laboratories, students will gain the ability to autonomously combine and integrate the acquired knowledge and know-how, performing “what if?” and sensitivity analyses, formulating conclusions and assessing thermal performance of devices.
The students will also gain has the competence to understand the open problems and to autonomously stay up-to-date with the technological innovations in such fields.

The course contents are delivered through lectures, exercise courses and computer-aided lab activities.
The course covers the following topics divided in modules as per the description below:
Module 1. Heat conduction
Topic 1.1: Fourier law and thermal conductivity. Heat diffusion equation; initial-, boundary- and interface- conditions.
Topic 1.2: Steady-state conduction: one- and two- dimensional solutions in different coordinate systems; thermal resistances and equivalent circuits.
Topic 1.3: Transient conduction: lumped parameter method with convection and radiation boundary conditions, also in presence of a heat source; overview about one-dimensional solutions.
Topic 1.4: Overview about extended surfaces.
Module 2. Convective heat transfer
Topic 2.1: Single-phase convection: free, forced, and mixed convection in internal and external flow; governing equations, dimensionless groups, and correlations of interest for different geometries.
Topic 2.2: Convection with phase change: introduction to vaporization, capillary and interface phenomena, condensation.
Module 3. Radiative transfer
Topic 3.1: Introductory concepts about radiation and interactions between radiation and matter.
Topic 3.2: Surface radiation: fundamental quantities, black bodies, diffuse, grey, and real emitters.
Topic 3.3: Radiation exchange between surfaces: view factors, modelling strategies, multi-node lumped parameter approach for problems including surface-to-surface radiation.
Topic 3.4: Radiation in gases: emission, absorption, scattering.
Topic 3.5: Solar and environmental radiation.
Module 4. Numerical modelling
Topic 4.1: Overview about the finite difference method and application to heat transfer problems.
Topic 4.2: Overview about Computational Fluid Dynamics and examples of application of commercial or open source software using the finite element or finite volume methods.
Topic 4.3: Overview about ray tracing and Monte Carlo methods for surface-to-surface radiation.
Module 5. Thermal control
Topic 5.1: Temperature and heat transfer control: temperature limits, internal and external exchanges, and thermal sources for different devices/mission/spacecraft types.
Topic 5.2: Main issues and modelling / design strategies to implement a thermal control system.
Topic 5.3: Description of the most used devices.
Topic 5.4: Design of heat exchangers.
Laboratory activities
Computer-aided laboratories (mostly "hands-on") will be carried out, focused on:

• Numerical solution (using the finite volume, finite element or finite difference methods) of problems involving conduction with different boundary conditions.
• Thermal analysis of systems (typically simplified satellites) using the multi-node lumped parameter approach.
  NOTE: for students attending the 5 ECTS (CFU) course (e.g., Nuclear Engineering and Mechanical Engineering students), Topics 3.4, 3.5, 5.2 and 5.3 are NOT part of the exam program (even if they may be still useful in their fields).

Prova scritta obbligatoria, senza prove in itinere
Students will pass the course after successfully take a written exam (there will be no oral exam).
Via this exam, it will be possible to test students’ acquired knowledge and understanding and its autonomous application, also in combined ways, together with their ability to independently form judgements.
The written exam consists of two parts:
A first part (A) including multiple-choice questions focused on the main concepts of the theory part of the course. These questions are aimed at verifying the learning of the fundamental aspects about the different heat transfer modes and about the methodologies and devices used for thermal analysis and thermal control.
A second part (B) including two exercises aimed at verifying the ability to critically model and solve a heat transfer problem analytically or by basic use of numerical techniques, making proper simplifications and assumptions if needed, and checking the correctness (also numerical) of the results. More specifically, in these exercises it is verified the ability to create a conceptual model of a heat transfer problem, to convert it into a system of equations (by using equivalent circuits, energy balances and all the toolbox of analytical results and experimental data/correlations that are described in the theory part of the course) and to solve it.
Final Grading
The final exam will be marked as follows.
Answering correctly to a minimum number of questions in Part A will be a necessary condition for the exam to be sufficient. Given this threshold, the number of correct answers to the questions of Part A will give either a bonus or a penalty to be summed to the total number of points obtained by the student in Part B.
Exercises of Part B will be divided in queries, whose answers will be evaluated only as correct/wrong, and correct answer to each query will give some points.
The total number of points for part B will be 30, and the maximum increase from the questions of Part A will be of 3 points. Students obtaining at least 18 total points will pass the exam; 33 points will result in 30 cum laude.

Miscellaneous teaching material: https://webeep.polimi.it
J.H. Lienhard IV, J.H. Lienhard V, A Heat Transfer Textbook, 5th edition, ISBN: 978-0486837352
Note: The textbook can be dowloaded from the Web page: http://web.mit.edu/lienhard/www/ahtt.html
T.L. Bergman, A.S. Lavine, F.P. Incropera, D.P. DeWitt, Fundamentals of Heat and Mass Transfer, 7th Edition, Editore: John Wiley & Sons, Anno edizione: 2011, ISBN: 978-0470917855
M. Guilizzoni, La Fisica Tecnica e il rasoio di Ockham - Terza edizione, Editore: Maggioli, Anno edizione: 2017, ISBN: 978-8891624130

In questo insegnamento, il processo di apprendimento è basato sull'esperienza: gli studenti acquisiscono modelli e strumenti per sviluppare il proprio business partendo da modelli teorici e applicandoli sfruttando l'esperienza e l'attività di mentoring di professionisti, quali imprenditori, venture capitalist, business angels, responsabili di incubatori e acceleratori di impresa, con cui è stato progettato l'insegnamento. In questo primo modulo, gli studenti si concentreranno sullo sviluppo di un'idea imprenditoriale originale e sulla progettazione del modello di business che trasformi l'idea imprenditoriale in una startup e che sarà validato attraverso l'approccio Lean Startup. L'output finale consisterà in un documento scritto che illustri il modello di business e la sua validazione, e in un "elevator pitch" da presentare a un comitato composto da professionisti.

The aim of the course is to expose students at aspects of human spaceflight that are not normally discussed or covered during the standard courses, with special attention on the soft skills necessary to be successful in highly completive environments where team work is absolutely a must.

The aim of the course is to be a research-driven preparation for the master thesis in aeronautical and space engineering, including also seminars and workshops with researchers and experts involved in the cutting-edge research areas of the aerospace field.

At the end of the course the student will be able to:
1) be aware of the current research trends in aerospace engineering
2) be able to set up a research plan for his/her master thesis
3) be able to design and set up a research project

Research methodologies applied to aerospace engineering.
Research topics in aerospace engineering.

Progetto/i - Elaborato/i obbligatorio, individuale, senza revisioni periodiche, senza presentazione/discussione finale
The exam has no grade, only pass/fail evaluation.
The exam consists on the evaluation of a report prepared by the student related to a research project (preferably but not necessarily associated with his/her master thesis).

-
Note: Slides and materials provided by the lecturers

The course approaches the conceptual design of a launch apparatus, intended as acceleration device (for both civil and military use).
The lectures intend to introduce the student in the process workflow, aiming at the following main targets:
apply the background knowledge-base, obtained from different courses, to the field of rocketry and missiles;
gain sensitivity on iterative processes for definition of requirements, specifications, and analysis of multiple options;
propose a technical workflow for the conceptual design of a launch apparatus (space rocket or missile);
supply the student a flexible and practical approach for conceptual design;
improve his/her team-work capability and technical communication skills (written and spoken) through a realistic project work.

At the end of the course the student will:
review multidisciplinary background knowledge, focusing on the needs of launch vehicles design;
understand and apply specific models in the field of rocketry;
analyze and compare performance parameters, on proposed test cases;
develop within a teamwork activity the conceptual design of a rocket (missile or launcher);
The course will supply the student the capability of:
Understanding the decision-making workflow for a conceptual design;
Applying multidisciplinary knowledge to a missile conceptual design;
Accomplishing the preliminary performance evaluation for a rocket;
Analyzing the results of a design to critically evaluate possible alternatives;
Deriving specifications from requirements;
Developing an autonomous study for the conceptual development of a new product or improvement of an existing device;
Organizing in reports and presenting to a technical public the outcomes of a complex project.

The course will treat the following subjects:
Introduction to launch systems (civil and military)
Conceptual design
introduction to the decision-making process
use of project baseline
technical workflow
Staging
architecture
simple boost analysis
propulsion selection
optimal staging
Missile aerodynamics
configuration
simplified models
Mission analysis
Atmospheric and trans-atmospheric mission
Ballistic trajectory
Introduction to trajectory optimization
Mass and structures
Mass Estimation Relations
Preliminary structural sizing
Missile stability
aerodynamic configuration
methods for missile stability and control
GNC
Introduction to GNC subsystem
Guidance laws for missile systems
Thrust Vectoring
Simple control analysis
Manoeuverability
In addition, the following suggested activities are also proposed to students.
A project-work activity where students will have to face a practical design scenario. A final report and public presentation are requested. The groups undertaking the projects on a volunteer basis will have to present the final outcomes in a public discussion. An evaluation will be given on the basis of the project report and of the discussion. The evaluation obtained can concur in the formation of the final exam score, at student's choice.
Laboratory activities based on the numerical implementation of some concepts in realistic applications complement the theory.

Prova scritta obbligatoria, senza prove in itinere
Progetto/i - Elaborato/i facoltativo (a scelta dello studente), di gruppo, con revisioni periodiche, con presentazione/discussione finale
Altro
The full exam consists in two parts:
Test #1: a closed-book test for theory assessment (32 points, 12 scoring questions, 1 hour-duration)
In this part, students should be familiar with the general theory, the meaning and trends of the main formulas, the performance trends discussed in class, the derivation of the physical laws governing the launch vehicle design process, the project workflow, and the general rules of the decision-making process. They should also be able to solve simple design exercises. The minimum passing score is 18 points.
Test #2: open-book written design test (32 points worth, 1 project, 2 hour-duration)
In this part, students should demonstrate their conceptual design skills by developing a complete launch vehicle project. The minimum passing score is 18 points.
Both tests are hold in the same day. The final score is the average of the points obtained in the two parts.
At student's choice, the Test#2 can be replaced by the evaluation obtained for the project work described hereafter.
The project is a group assignment focused on the conceptual design of a launch vehicle. Two project topics will be provided, and each group may choose between them. At the end of the project, students will be required to submit a technical report and deliver a final presentation. The project grants 30 points and two more points are granted by a peer evaluation. In total, 32 points are available.The assessment will consist of 18 out of 30 points for the report and 12 out of 30 points for the presentation. The evaluation of the project work will be valid for the entire academic year. After one year, the evaluation expires and the student will need to take the full exam.
Three laboratory activities will be conducted during flipped-class sessions to complement the theoretical content through the numerical implementation of selected concepts in realistic applications. Students may choose to submit a short report on one of the three activities on a voluntary basis. The report will contribute to the final examination grade.

D. Edberg and W. Costa, Design of Rockets and Space Launch Vehicles, Editore: AIAA Educational Series, ISBN: 978-1-62410-593-7
Pasquale M. Sforza, Manned Spacecraft Design Principles, Anno edizione: 2015, ISBN: 9780124199521 https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/polimi/detail.action?docID=4095867
Eugene L. Fleeman, Missile Design Guide, Editore: AIAA, Anno edizione: 2022, ISBN: 9781624106187 https://www.proquest.com/legacydocview/EBC/29275814/bookReader?accountid=28385&ppg=1
Walter E. Hammond, Design methodologies for space transportation systems, Editore: AIAA Educational Series, Anno edizione: 2001, ISBN: 1-56347-472-7 https://www.proquest.com/legacydocview/EBC/3111595/bookReader?accountid=28385&ppg=1
J.P. Sutton, O. Biblarz, Rocket propulsion elements, Editore: Wiley http://web.a.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail/detail?vid=0&sid=2827b6c0-4406-4cd3-ae03-9eb9336c1cc6%40sdc-v-sessmgr03&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#AN=1429756&db=nlebk

Il corso ha l'obiettivo di fornire conoscenze teoriche e pratiche per un uso consapevole e critico dei metodi di ottimizzazione nella progettazione aerospaziale, con applicazioni sia in ambito aeronautico che spaziale.
Le lezioni si concentrano sull’impiego dei metodi di ottimizzazione nel progetto aerospaziale, anche in ambito multidisciplinare. Gli studenti apprenderanno a formulare correttamente un problema di ottimizzazione in funzione dei requisiti progettuali, delle caratteristiche del modello numerico e dei fenomeni fisici considerati, nonché a selezionare gli algoritmi più appropriati. I metodi presentati saranno inoltre applicati a procedure specifiche di design optimization, quali le ottimizzazioni di sizing, di forma e topologiche, e a problemi multi-obiettivo. Le possibili applicazioni riguardano i diversi contesti disciplinari previsti dal corso di studio, tra cui strutture, aerodinamica, aeroelasticità, sistemi di controllo, meccanica del volo e materiali aerospaziali.
Le esercitazioni guidano gli studenti nell'acquisizione di una solida base nell'uso degli algoritmi di ottimizzazione, dei solutori numerici e, in particolare, dei metodi agli elementi finiti, attraverso esempi ed esercizi applicativi accompagnati dai necessari richiami teorici. Lo studente acquisisce così gli strumenti per valutare criticamente i modelli e i risultati delle analisi, calcolarne le sensitività e integrarli efficacemente nei processi di ottimizzazione.
L’insegnamento promuove una visione sistemica del progetto e l’integrazione tra diverse discipline, in continuità con le conoscenze maturate negli altri insegnamenti. Questo approccio consente di affrontare problemi complessi di progettazione aerospaziale di natura interdisciplinare e multidisciplinare. Gli studenti avranno inoltre l’opportunità di applicare i metodi appresi nello sviluppo di un progetto relativo a una o più discipline di loro interesse. L’oggetto del progetto potrà riguardare un intero veicolo aerospaziale o uno dei suoi componenti, sottosistemi o processi di progettazione.

Con riferimento agli obiettivi formativi, lo studente sarà in grado di:
RAA 1. identificare le esigenze e gli elementi di progetto di un veicolo o di un componente aerospaziale e metterli in relazione con gli obiettivi e i requisiti di missione;
RAA 2. formulare e classificare correttamente un problema di ottimizzazione finalizzato alla progettazione aerospaziale;
RAA 3. scegliere e utilizzare tecniche di ottimizzazione come strumenti di progetto, valutandone l’adeguatezza rispetto alle caratteristiche del problema;
RAA 4. scegliere gli schemi di modellazione più adatti a uno specifico problema di ottimizzazione aerospaziale;
RAA 5. comprendere le implicazioni delle diverse formulazioni del problema e i principi delle tecniche di modellazione avanzata;
RAA 6. riconoscere e gestire le principali criticità delle analisi numeriche e della formulazione di un problema di ottimizzazione;
RAA 7. conoscere gli aspetti teorici e tecnici di diversi tipi di analisi agli elementi finiti e farne un uso consapevole nei diversi ambiti e nelle diverse fasi della progettazione aerospaziale;
RAA 8. sviluppare accoppiamenti tra procedure di ottimizzazione e solutori numerici;
RAA 9. sviluppare semplici accoppiamenti tra modelli provenienti da discipline diverse, tra cui modelli strutturali e modelli appresi in altri insegnamenti;
RAA 10. affrontare problemi di modellazione e ottimizzazione non esplicitamente trattati durante il corso, assumendo decisioni motivate;
RAA 11. comunicare i risultati della propria attività in modo chiaro e convincente attraverso lo sviluppo di un progetto e la successiva stesura di una relazione tecnica;
RAA 12. acquisire autonomamente nuove conoscenze e competenze.

Il corso sarà così suddiviso:
1) Formulazione dei problemi di ottimizzazione per la progettazione aerospaziale: progetto tradizionale, progetto concorrente e progetto basato su procedure di ottimizzazione; ruolo dell’ottimizzazione nel processo progettuale; formulazione e classificazione del problema di ottimo mediante variabili di progetto, funzioni obiettivo, vincoli e parametri; formulazione del problema in funzione dei requisiti progettuali, dei fenomeni fisici coinvolti e delle caratteristiche dei modelli utilizzati; criteri per la scelta dell’algoritmo di ottimizzazione.
2) Modellazione e uso dei solutori numerici: modelli matematici, numerici ed empirici; discretizzazione, verifica e validazione dei modelli; modelli espliciti e impliciti; solutori lineari e non lineari; metodo di Newton e matrice di rigidezza tangente. Modellazione agli elementi finiti, condizioni al contorno, mapping, mesh strutturate e modellazione parametrica. Analisi statiche lineari e non lineari, analisi termiche, modali, dinamiche e di buckling; risposta dinamica diretta nel tempo e in frequenza; recupero di spostamenti, deformazioni e sforzi; stati di presforzo, materiali ortotropi e laminati in composito; interpretazione critica e confronto dei risultati numerici.
Verifica e validazione dei modelli mediante correlazione numerico-sperimentale a partire da misure ottenute attraverso prove di laboratorio. Pianificazione delle prove e selezione delle condizioni sperimentali anche mediante tecniche di Design of Experiments. Identificazione dei parametri e aggiornamento dei modelli numerici attraverso procedure di ottimizzazione finalizzate alla minimizzazione dello scostamento tra risultati numerici e sperimentali.
3) Metodi matematici di ottimizzazione e analisi di sensitività: condizioni di ottimalità per problemi vincolati e non vincolati e condizioni di Karush-Kuhn-Tucker. Metodi locali basati sul gradiente: line search, trust-region, discesa ripida, gradiente coniugato, Newton e quasi-Newton. Metodi per problemi vincolati: Sequential Linear Programming, Sequential Quadratic Programming, metodi di penalità e barriera, active-set e interior-point. Calcolo delle derivate e delle sensitività rispetto alle variabili di progetto mediante differenze finite, derivazione algoritmica, derivazione analitica implicita, metodo diretto e metodo aggiunto.
4) Esplorazione dello spazio di progetto e metodi avanzati: Design of Experiments, tecniche di campionamento, effetti principali e di interazione delle variabili; costruzione e validazione di modelli surrogati mediante regressione e interpolazione; superfici di risposta, metodo di Kriging, reti neurali e cenni al Machine Learning e ai modelli di ordine ridotto. Metodi globali, gradient-free ed euristici, tra cui Generalized Pattern Search, DIRECT, algoritmi genetici e Particle Swarm Optimization; gestione delle variabili discrete e strategie ibride. Ottimizzazione multi-obiettivo, dominanza, soluzioni Pareto-ottimali e metodi per la costruzione del fronte di Pareto. Multidisciplinary Design Optimization (MDO): accoppiamenti tra modelli e discipline, principali architetture MDO single-level e distribuite.
5) Procedure avanzate di design optimization e applicazioni aerospaziali: applicazione dei metodi trattati a problemi di sizing optimization, per strutture a travi, piastre, strutture irrigidite e laminati in composito; ottimizzazioni di forma aerodinamiche, aeroelastiche e strutturali; ottimizzazioni topologiche per strutture leggere o per la sintesi di meccanismi compliant; tecniche di parametrizzazione geometrica basate sull’utilizzo di funzioni di forma generalizzate; analisi di sensitività mediante derivazione analitica implicita. Applicazione delle procedure di ottimizzazione e dei solutori numerici a casi di progetto di interesse aeronautico e spaziale; definizione delle condizioni operative e dei carichi di progetto; individuazione di obiettivi e vincoli; gestione di diverse condizioni di carico e combinazione di requisiti strutturali, dinamici, termici, aerodinamici, aeroelastici e relativi ai sistemi.
Alcuni argomenti potranno essere sostituiti tenendo conto delle esigenze e degli interessi dei partecipanti.
Modalità didattica
Il corso prevede l’utilizzo di diverse modalità didattiche, con la ripartizione delle attività in:

• lezioni frontali di teoria in aula e spiegazione delle possibili applicazioni;
• esercitazioni frontali per l’applicazione della teoria a casi più realistici e completi, tipici dell’ingegneria aerospaziale;
• laboratorio progettuale, durante il quale gli studenti operano al computer, sotto la supervisione del docente e mediante l’utilizzo di software dedicati, in modo da acquisire la necessaria familiarità con gli aspetti operativi delle procedure di ottimizzazione e con l’impiego dei solutori numerici, tra cui i solutori ad elementi finiti.
  Attività laboratoriali
  Le attività laboratoriali prevedono esercitazioni guidate al computer dedicate alla costruzione, verifica e utilizzo di modelli numerici e di procedure di ottimizzazione. Gli studenti svolgeranno attività di modellazione agli elementi finiti ed eseguiranno analisi statiche lineari e non lineari, termiche, modali, dinamiche e di buckling, imparando a interpretarne criticamente i risultati e a effettuare il recupero delle principali grandezze di interesse.
  Le attività potranno comprendere la validazione di modelli numerici a partire da misure ottenute mediante prove di laboratorio, la pianificazione delle prove e la definizione delle condizioni sperimentali anche attraverso tecniche di Design of Experiments, nonché l’impiego di procedure di ottimizzazione per l’identificazione dei parametri, l’aggiornamento dei modelli e la correlazione numerico-sperimentale.
  Saranno inoltre sviluppate procedure per lo scambio automatico dei dati tra algoritmi di ottimizzazione e solutori numerici, per la parametrizzazione dei modelli e per l’applicazione di tecniche di ottimizzazione di sizing, forma e topologia. I casi trattati potranno includere più condizioni di carico, requisiti multipli, materiali compositi e variabili di progetto continue o discrete, con applicazioni a componenti e sistemi di interesse aeronautico e spaziale.

Prova orale obbligatoria
Progetto/i - Elaborato/i obbligatorio, di gruppo, senza revisioni periodiche, con presentazione/discussione finale
Altro
La valutazione dell’apprendimento si basa su un compito individuale svolto durante il corso (facoltativo), sullo sviluppo di un progetto e su una prova orale conclusiva.
Il compito di metà corso è facoltativo e consiste nella risoluzione autonoma di un problema assegnato dal docente, relativo agli argomenti affrontati fino a quel momento. L’attività termina con la consegna di una relazione tecnica che descrive l’impostazione adottata, il procedimento seguito, i risultati ottenuti e le relative conclusioni. L’esito del compito concorre alla valutazione finale.
Il progetto, che può essere svolto in piccoli gruppi, prevede una fase di modellazione e analisi di un veicolo o di un componente aeronautico o spaziale, seguita da una fase di progettazione e ottimizzazione applicata al modello scelto, eventualmente accoppiato a modelli provenienti da altre discipline. Se da una parte non è necessario che la fase di modellazione sia troppo complessa, l’intero processo progettuale dovrà essere strutturato in modo rigoroso, a partire dall’identificazione chiara delle variabili di progetto, degli obiettivi e dei requisiti, fino alla formulazione di un problema di progetto ben posto e coerente con il contesto disciplinare considerato. Il progetto termina con la consegna di una presentazione, che verrà utilizzata per la discussione durante la prova orale.
La prova orale verte sugli argomenti teorici e applicativi trattati nel corso e include la presentazione e la discussione del progetto. Nel corso del colloquio potranno essere approfondite anche le scelte effettuate nel compito di metà corso e nel progetto, al fine di verificare l’effettiva comprensione del lavoro svolto.
In sede di esame lo studente dovrà:
essere in grado di discutere i concetti e la teoria alla base della progettazione aerospaziale e delle tecniche di ottimizzazione;
mostrare di possedere capacità di ragionamento critico in relazione agli argomenti trattati a lezione e nelle esercitazioni;
essere in grado di formulare correttamente un problema di progetto e di scegliere in modo consapevole i metodi di modellazione, analisi e ottimizzazione;
essere in grado di interpretare criticamente i risultati ottenuti;
essere in grado di applicare la teoria al progetto e all’ottimizzazione di casi reali e di presentare con chiarezza il lavoro svolto.

Joaquim R. R. A. Martins, Andrew Ning, Engineering Design Optimization, Editore: Cambridge University Press, Anno edizione: 2021, ISBN: 9781108833417 https://mdobook.github.io
Note: La versione elettronica del libro è disponibile e scaricabile liberamente alla pagina web indicata.
Alexander I. J. Forrester, Andras Sobester, Andy J. Keane, Engineering Design via Surrogate Modelling: A Practical Guide, Editore: John Wiley & Sons, Anno edizione: 2008, ISBN: 9780470060681
R.D.Cook, Concepts and applications of finite element analysis, Editore: John Wiley
Martin P. Bendse, Ole Sigmund, Topology Optimization - Theory, Methods, and Applications, Editore: Springer, Anno edizione: 2004, ISBN: 978-3-540-42992-0
Kalyanmoy Deb, Multi-Objective Optimization using Evolutionary Algorithms, Editore: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Anno edizione: 2001, ISBN: 978-0-471-87339-6
Panos Y. Papalambros and Douglass J. Wilde, Principles of Optimal Design: Modeling and Computation, Editore: Cambridge University Press, Anno edizione: 2017, ISBN: 9781107132672 https://principlesofoptimaldesign.org/

The course aims to provide the necessary notions for formulating, developing, and applying multibody system dynamics modeling in the analysis of typical problems in aerospace system dynamics, along with the ability to critically evaluate their applicability, cost, and benefits. Problems characteristic of the stability and response of systems such as helicopter rotors, aircraft control surfaces, landing gears, spacecraft reconfiguration mechanisms, and robots are presented and discussed.

Methodological Educational Objectives
Capability to autonomously formulate the dynamics of mechanical and multidisciplinary problems.
Secondary Educational Objectives
Capability to design and develop complex computational systems for a broad class of mechanical and multidisciplinary problems.

Introduction to multibody dynamics
Fundamentals of kinematics and dynamics of mechanical systems: kinematics of points and rigid bodies, formulation of rotations and their parametrization and differentiation (0.4 CFU).
Equations of motion of a point, a rigid body, and systems of points and rigid bodies: Newton-Euler, d'Alembert-Lagrange (I and II kind), variational principles (Virtual Work Principle, Lagrange, Gauss, Hamilton), quasi-coordinates, holonomic and non-holonomic constraints (1 CFU).
Time integration of systems of Ordinary Differential Equations (ODE) and Differential-Algebraic Equations (DAE): methods, characteristics, and motivation for their use in specific formulations (0.4 CFU).
Kinematic constraints; minimal Coordinate Set, Redundant Coordinate Set, Unconstrained Coordinate Set: equations of motion, constraint stabilization and index reduction, Augmented Lagrangian and other approaches (0.4 CFU).
Systems of rigid and flexible bodies; beam models, Floating Frame of Reference (FFR), fundamentals of Absolute Nodal Coordinate Formulation (ANCF); multi-field and multidisciplinary problems (1 CFU).
Problems: kinematic, kineto-static, initial value, inverse dynamics; linearization and eigenanalysis (0.4 CFU).
Advanced problems and implementation aspects: smooth and non-smooth problems, software architecture, parallelization, efficiency, co-simulation, multi-rate simulation, real-time simulation, and virtual reality (1 CFU).
Applications
Typical applications may include, but are not limited to
Helicopter dynamics: articulated/hingeless rotor, pitch control mechanism, complete rotorcraft.
Landing gear dynamics: extension/retraction, shimmy, ground resonance.
Mechanisms for aerodynamic control surfaces: flap, morphing wing devices.
Solar array deployment
Spacecraft docking
(1.4 CFU)
Software like MATLAB and similar mathematical environments, as well as Free/open-source and commercial tools and multibody solvers, like Linux, MBDyn, and MSC/ADAMS, will be presented and used for exercises in class and assignments. Some familiarity with them is advisable, but not strictly required.

Prova orale obbligatoria
Progetto/i - Elaborato/i obbligatorio, di gruppo, con revisioni periodiche, con presentazione/discussione finale
The course is organized in the form of a collaborative class. During the semester, the participating students will be organized into small groups, combined with corresponding groups from a foreign university. The mixed groups will choose a project that will be mandatorily developed during the course and delivered at the end of the course. The difficulty of the project will be sized to be compatible with the credits of the course and the competencies expected from the students of the two classes.
The final evaluation will be based on the project, jointly evaluated by the instructors of all involved institutions, and on a subsequent mandatory oral exam.
The oral exam will focus on the theoretical aspects of the course and on the ability of the students to apply them to the formulation of practical solutions to problems of interest, including the discussion of the project assigned and developed during the course.

A.A. Shabana, Dynamics of Multibody Systems, Editore: Cambridge University Press
M. Geradin, A. Cardona, Flexible Multibody Dynamics: a Finite Element Approach, Editore: Wiley
F. Cheli, E. Pennestrì, Cinematica e Dinamica dei Sistemi Multibody, Editore: Casa Editrice Ambrosiana
O.A. Bachau, Flexible Multibody Dynamics, Editore: Springer, Anno edizione: 2010

Operations Research (O.R.) is the branch of applied mathematics dealing with quantitative methods to analyze and solve complex real-world decision-making problems. The course covers some of the fundamental methods of O.R.
The focus is on optimization models and algorithms with significant applications in aeronautical and aerospace engineering.
During the computer laboratory sessions the students will learn to use the AMPL modeling language and state-of-the art commercial solvers to tackle optimization problems arising in both aeronautical and aerospace applications.

• Knowledge of the principles of continuous and integer linear and non-linear optimization theory with also some hints on multi-objective optimization and game theory
• Knowledge of the principles of network optimization
• Knowledge of the main solution techniques and the algorithms traditionally used to solve problems in the aforementioned contexts
• Ability to model optimization problems arising in aeronautical/aerospace engineering and to use appropriate software or develop metaheuristics for their solution
• Ability to understand and interpret the solutions obtained to transform them into effective operational indications

1. Introduction
Decision-making problems. Main steps of an O.R. study. Classification of optimization problems (multi-objective programming, game theory, mathematical programming). Optimization models (decision variables, objective function, constraints) and modeling techniques. Application to model decision problems arising in the aeronautical field (e.g., crew scheduling, Helicopter Emergency Medical Service location, etc.).
2. Linear Programming (LP)
LP models. Geometric aspects (vertices of the feasible region) and algebraic aspects (basic feasible solutions). Fundamental properties of linear programming. The Simplex method. Modeling and solving LP problems with the AMPL software (e.g., the flight gate assignment problem).
LP duality theory: pair of dual problems, weak and strong duality, complementary slackness conditions. Economic interpretation. Sensitivity analysis. Application of post-optimality analysis to optimization problems arising in the aeronautical/aerospace field through AMPL.
3. Integer Linear Programming (ILP)
ILP formulations and linear relaxation. Ideal formulation of an ILP. Total unimodularity (hints). Branch & Bound (B&B) algorithm and relaxations. B&B for the knapsack problem.
4. Non-Linear Programming (NLP)
Introduction to Non-Linear Programming (NLP). Necessary first order conditions for unconstrained and constrained NLP. Lagrange’s theorem. Karush-Kuhn-Tucker (KKT) conditions. Second order necessary and sufficient conditions. Convex optimization (hints).
5. Multi-objective and multi-actors optimization
Multi-objective optimization. Pareto optimal solutions: weight method, constraint method; final choice (utopia point). Game theory: normal form game, prisoner dilemma, dominant strategy, Nash equilibrium, games without equilibria.
6. Graph and network optimization
Optimum spanning trees. Shortest path problems: Dijkstra algorithm, dynamic programming algorithm, Floyd-Warshall algorithm. Project Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT): critical path method and Gantt diagrams; application to aerospace mission planning.
Maximum flow: Ford-Fulkerson algorithm and maximum flow-minimum cut theorem. Minimum cost flows. Application of minimum cost flow to the optimal load planning of an aircraft.
7. Heuristic and metaheuristic algorithms
NP-hard optimization problems. Heuristic algorithms: greedy algorithms, approximation algorithms. Travelling Salesman Problem (TSP): nearest insertion and nearest neighborhood algorithm; double tree algorithm. Local search algorithm.
Hints on metaheuristics: Tabu Search, Variable Neighborhood Search (VNS), genetic algorithms, ant system. Application of metaheuristics to earth observation satellite optimization.
Materials
Lecture notes and slides (available in WeBeep).

Prova scritta obbligatoria, senza prove in itinere
Progetto/i - Elaborato/i facoltativo (a scelta dello studente), individuale, senza revisioni periodiche, con presentazione/discussione finale
Written exam + optional project based on an application of O.R. to a real real-world optimization problem in the aeronautical or aerospace field.

The course provides the basic knowledge and competences needed to perform the preliminary design of a payload instrument for a space mission, starting from mission objectives and high-level requirements. Technologies and sizing procedures for typical class of remote sensing and scientific payloads will be provided.

Lectures and exercise sessions will allow students to acquire competencies needed to:

• Aquire the basic knowledge on remote sensing instrument tecnology (DdD 1).
• Analyze and understand the scientific objectives and assumptions associated to a space payload, derive a complete set of design requirements for a space payload, define the architecture of space payload, Identify and define the design activities for preliminary design of space payload (DdD 2).
  The design laboratory sessions will allow students to acquire competencies needed to:
• Write a requirement specification document and a mission description document (DdD 4).
• Perform the preliminary design of a space payload (DdD 2).
• Summarize and present the results achieved during the design activities through oral presentations (DdD 4).

Design Process: Project Life cycle – Design process – Marginal Approach – ECSS Standards.
Analysis and definition of requirements: Mission objective definition – preliminary estimation of requirements, design drivers and mission constraints.
Remote sensing payloads: Optical panchromatic sensors – Optical multispectral sensors - Passive microwave sensors – Radar Sensors - Radiometric model and signal to noise ratio estimation.
Optics: Pinhole model – Paraxial optics – Basic optical raytracing.
Electronic Design: Data Handling and processing – Power distribution – Interface with the Spacecraft bus and the Ground Segment - Influence of Space Environment.
Mechanical Design: Framework and structure design– Mechanism design and actuation.
Thermal Design: Thermal control elements – Thermal design strategy.

Prova scritta obbligatoria, senza prove in itinere
Progetto/i - Elaborato/i obbligatorio, di gruppo, con revisioni periodiche, con presentazione/discussione finale
Students will be asked to form small groups to perform a design project partly developed during the design laboratory sessions. Each group will be required to prepare a common report and give a presentation of the design project activity, both in intermediate reviews foreseen during the course and in a final presentation at the end of the course. The design activities are partially performed in the classroom during the design laboratory sessions, and assesed consideiring both final report/presentation and intermediate reviews. The exam will consist in a written test with open questions on the topic of the lessons. The examination is considered successful if in the exam, the student shows sufficient knowledge and understanding of the topics covered in the lessons and the design activity is succesfully vcompleted with the delivery of the report and of the final presentation.

Mohamed M. Abid, Spacecraft Sensors, Editore: John Wiley & Sons
A.M. Cruise, J.A. Bowles, T.J. Patrick,C.V. Goodall, Principles of Space Instrument Design, Editore: Cambridge University Press
M. Eismann, Hyperspectral Remote Sensing, Editore: SPIE Press
Miguel A. Aguirre, Introduction to Space Systems, Design and Synthesis, Editore: Springer
D. Gilmore, Spacecraft Thermal Control Handbook, Vol I: Fundamental Technologies, Editore: AIAA
J.J. Wijker, Spacecraft Structures, Editore: Springer
J. Eickhoff, Onboard Computers, Onboard Software and Satellite Operations, Editore: Springer

Whenever an Earth Observation Mission is proposed, a vital activity is to assess whether the information that will be delivered will actually fit the needs of final users. In particular, key questions concern how accurately and at which spatial/temporal resolution a certain information can be delivered. Those questions are formally addressed within the study of Remote Sensing, here intended as the science of obtaining information about far-off objects by studying the signals that interact with them.
The RSEOS course is intended to enrich the education of future space engineers by presenting mathematical and physical methods to treat information in the specific context of microwave Remote Sensing, addressing the particular cases of Earth Observations and Surveillance.
The first part of the course shall review mathematical and physical bases necessary for students to gain a robust understanding of microwave remote sensing methodologies, including Signal theory, Probability theory, fundamentals of wave propagation, and the use of antennas. Mathematical methods will then be developed to discuss topics from Spectral Analysis and Estimation Theory, which will give the students the necessary basis for characterizing the information on a quantitative basis.
This knowledge will be used in the second part of the course to discuss passive and active remote sensing systems and methodologies for data analysis. Particular attention will be paid to the case imaging radiometers, Radars, and Synthetic Aperture Radars (SAR), considering ground, airborne, and spaceborne systems. The course will present a variety of applications, such as: land characterization, forestry, topographic mapping, hazard monitoring, measurement of surface deformation (e.g.: earthquakes, landslides, land subsidence, ice drift), detection and estimation of target of interest (like ships, aircrafts, vehicles, others)
The course is complemented with computer practical classes (using Matlab) and presentations of case studies.

Lecture and practical classes will enable students to:
Master the basics of signal processing and estimation theory(DdD 1 – Knowledge and understanding)
Have a clear understanding of the physics behind electromagnetic remote sensing (DdD 1 – Knowledge and understanding)
Design a remote sensing system/survey starting from given accuracy requirements (DdD 2 – Applying knowledge and understanding)
Define data processing algorithms for 2D and 3D imaging, target detection, and parameter estimation (DdD 2 – Applying knowledge and understanding)
Simulate electromagnetic acquisitions (using Matlab) (DdD 2 – Applying knowledge and understanding)
Implement processing algorithms (using Matlab)(DdD 2 – Applying knowledge and understanding)
Present a study in the form of a sound scientific report (DdD 4 – Communication skills)
Read and evaluate a scientific paper (DdD 3 - Making judgements)

Signal and Systems (ca 6 h): review of basic signal analysis: time of frequency representation of continuous and discrete-time signals. The sampling theorem. Examples of processing of audio signals and images.
Random variables (ca 4 h): review of element of the Probability theory: Conditional and joint probability; Continuous random variables; probability density function; Functions of random variables; The Expected Value operator: definition and properties. Variance and standard deviation.
Elements of Estimation Theory (ca 18 h): Introduction to estimation theory; bias and consistency; sample mean and variance; Least Square, Maximum Likelihood, and MMSE estimation; the Cramer-Rao bound. Estimation in Lp norm. Stochastic processes: autocorrelation function and Power Spectral Density. Linear prediction. Optimal prediction. Decorrelation time.
The physics of EM Remote Sensing (ca 8 h): The Electro-Magnetic (EM) field: relativistic and classical interpretation; plane and circular waves; Wave polarization; EM propagation in the presence of discontinuities. Coherent vs. Incoherent radiation; Black body radiation: power spectrum, Plank, Wien, Boltzmann laws and applications. An introduction to the use of antennas: antenna gain and antenna pattern.
Earth Observation by microwave imagery (ca 44 h):
Spaceborne radiometers: spatial resolution and radiometric accuracy. Spaceborne correlation radiometers: physical principle; Minimum Redundancy Array in 1D and 2D; the SMOS antenna. Application to Earth Observation: atmospheric sounding, soil moisture, ocean salinity.
Principles of Radar imagin g: Localization and ranging in 1D, 2D, and 3D. Resolution and ambiguities. Pulses (chirp). RADAR cross section and RADAR equation. Thermal noise in RADAR systems. Target detection and estimation.
Synthetic Aperture RADARs: geometric distortions, acquisition & focusing. Principles of Diffraction tomography. SAR Interferometry: coherence, phase unwrapping and noise source. Techniques; SAR imaging, SAR Polarimetry (PolSAR), SAR Interferometry (InSAR), and SAR Tomography (TomoSAR). Applications: target classification, detection and estimation of moving targets, land-use classification, geophysical parameter retrieval, topographic mapping, hazard monitoring (landslides, ground subsidence, ice drift, building structural health), vertical profiling of natural media (ice sheets & glaciers, snow, and forest), mapping of forest height and biomass.

Progetto/i - Elaborato/i facoltativo (a scelta dello studente), individuale, senza revisioni periodiche, con presentazione/discussione finale
Altro
The assessment consists of two individual take-home assignments and an oral discussion of a scientific paper.
For each assignment, students are first given one week to discuss the problem with their classmates and the instructor. The instructor may answer questions and clarify the problem statement, but will not provide the solution. Students then have one additional week to submit an individual report describing and justifying their solution.
The final grade is based on the two reports and the oral discussion of the scientific paper.
As an alternative, students may choose to prepare and present a project related to Remote Sensing. The project topic must be discussed with and approved by the instructor in advance.

Monti Guarnieri, Electromagnetic Imaging http://home.deib.polimi.it/monti/ftp/srl/SAR_I.pdf
Ferretti, Prati, Rocca, Monti Guarnieri, Massonnet, Guidelines for SAR Interferometry Processing and Interpretation http://www.esa.int/About_Us/ESA_Publications/InSAR_Principles_Guidelines_for_SAR_Interferometry_Processing_and_Interpretation_br_ESA_TM-19
Alan V. Oppenheim, Alan S. Willsky, Signal and Systems, Editore: Prentice Hall International
Papoulis, A., & Pillai, S. U, Probability, random variables, and stochastic processes, Editore: McGraw-Hill
Mark A. Richards, Fundamentals of Radar Signal Processing, Editore: McGraw Hill
Ulaby, F. T., Long, D. G., Blackwell, W. J., Elachi, C., Fung, A. K., Ruf, C., Sarabandi, K., Zebker, H. A., & Van Zyl, J, Microwave radar and radiometric remote sensing, Editore: University of Michigan
Iain Woodhouse, Introduction to Microwave Remote Sensing, Editore: Taylor and Francis

The course aims at presenting and describing modern satellite-based communication and positioning systems. Specifically, the first part of the course focuses on key topics and elements that are common to both types of system, such as the propagation of electromagnetic waves in the Earth atmosphere, analog and digital modulation techniques, the link budget. The second part of the course is devoted to various satellite communication systems, whose architecture and key features (e.g. data rate, bit error rate, coding schemes, multiple access schemes) are presented. The last part of the course deals specifically with Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSSs), such as the American GPS and the European Galileo, by introducing the basic principles of radio-positioning, the system architectures, the ranging signals, the receiver architectures, and the main applications. The course also includes brief seminars providing an overview on “real world” systems (e.g. experimental measurements) and offers a laboratory practical session focused on designing a realistic Earth-space link.

After passing the exam, the student:
knows the standard terminology of electric and electronic components and equipment in order to properly discuss with electronic and radio systems engineers
knows the principles and the physical mechanisms regulating the propagation of electromagnetic waves in diversified satellite-based communication and positioning systems, at radio frequencies
has a comprehensive picture of modern satellite-based communication and positioning systems
possesses the knowledge necessary to define the main specifications of satellite-based communication and positioning systems in diversified scenarios (e.g. calculation of the transmit power and antenna size)
knows how to use some software tools devoted to the analisys and design of space-borne communication systems (e.g. models adopted by recommendation ITU-R P-series)

Theoretical part:
Review of the fundamental properties of monochromatic uniform plane electromagnetic waves (expressions, frequency, wavelength, phase velocity, gorup velocity,...) and of the main electromagnetic properties of materials (electric permittivity, magnetic permeability, conductivity).
Atmospheric electromagnetic wave propagation: ionospheric propagation (physical description of the ionosphere and constitutive equations, total reflection, depolarization, attenuation, delay); tropospheric propagation (ray bending effects, scintillations and multipath, attenuation due to gases, clouds and effects due to rain, models for rain attenuation, depolarization due to rain and ice crystals).
Noise in positioning and communication systems: thermal noise, noise due to dissipative elements, equivalent antenna noise temperature, Low Noise Amplifier, overall noise of a receiver.
Modulation techniques: analog modulation (amplitude modulation and associated transmitter block scheme, frequency modulation and associated transmitter block scheme); digital modulation (ASK, PSK, FSK, advanced modulation schemes, bit error rate, bit energy/noise spectral density ratio and its relationship with the bit error rate, Shannon theorem, some elements on information coding).
Receivers: the heterodyne receiver; brief description of Software Defined Radio.
Satellite systems: the link budget; different architectures and mission profiles for satellite positioning and communication systems.
Satellite communication systems: satellite-based communication systems, broadcast (one-way) and telecommunication (two-way) architectures; data relay systems; GEO, MEO, LEO systems.
Satellite-based localization and positioning: position estimation techniques based on time of arrival, positioning algorithms, the geometrical dilution of precision, uncertainty and error sources, error correction models, system architectures of modern GNSSs (e.g. GPS and Galileo), space segment (satellite architecture, orbits) and ground segment (monitoring stations, information for system correction/maintenance), augmentation systems.
Practical part:

• Problem solving on all the topics listed above.
• Presentation and use of the following software tools: propagation of plane waves through multi-layered materials.
• Mentions to ITU-R recommendation, propagation series.
  Laboratory activities:
• Practical session focused on designing a realistic Earth-space link, making reference to ITU-R recommendations (e.g. P-series) and transmission standards (e.g. DVB-S2).

Prova scritta obbligatoria, senza prove in itinere
Prova orale facoltativa (a scelta dello studente)
Altro
The written test consists in the solution of 4 problems relative to the topics of the course: exams from previous years, with solutions, are available. This test aims at assessing the ability of the student to solve problems using the tools and concepts presented during the lectures. The test is open book: the student can use any material during the test (e.g. personal notes, books), but NOT electronic devices. The duration of the written test is between 2 hours and 2 hours and 15 minutes, depending on the single exam call.
The oral test is optional for those obtaining a score equal to or higher than 18 in the written exam (increase in the score of up to 2-3 points), and mandatory for those who obtain a score of 17 in the written exam. The oral test aims at evaluating the understanding of key concepts at the basis of the course topics. The student will be typically asked to explain and discuss, in a conversational way, those key concepts, rather than deriving analytical expressions.
Before starting the part of the course devoted to GNSSs, the students will have the chance to participate in a practical laboratory activity aimed at designing a realistic Earth-space link. During this activity, the students can potentially earn up to 2 points.

C. Riva, G. Gentili, Handbook of Electromagnetics, Editore: Maggioli Editore
J.A. Richards, Radiowave propagation. An introduction for the non specialists, Editore: Springer
A. Paraboni, M. D'Amico, Radiopropagazione, Editore: McGraw-Hill
E.D. Kaplan, C.J. Hegarty, Understanding GPS: Principles And Applications (second edition), Editore: Artech House
J.-M. Zogg, GPS - Essentials of Satellite Navigation, Editore: u-blox https://zogg-jm.ch/Dateien/GPS_Compendium(GPS-X-02007).pdf
Lecture notes provided by the Professor

Il corso affronta con approccio critico e analitico la storia delle tecnologie e delle infrastrutture digitali di comunicazione e sarà strutturato in due parti. Nella prima parte verranno affrontati argomenti teorici generali sulla storia e la diffusione di tecnologie chiave come le reti e le infrastrutture di comunicazione, il computer, il supercomputer e i dispositivi mobili di comunicazione, analizzando casi di successo e di fallimento. Nella seconda parte, in collaborazione col Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnologia Leonardo da Vinci, gli studenti dovranno attivarsi, in maniera guidata, per ricostruire la storia di alcune tecnologie a partire da modelli/documenti/esemplari presenti nelle collezioni del museo.

Il corso fornisce elementi di fisica dello spazio. Principali argomenti trattati: elementi di astronomia (spettri stellari, evoluzione stellare, diagramma di Hertzsprung-Russell, esopianeti, galassie, origine ed evoluzione dell'universo); elementi di astrofisica (reazioni nucleari stellari, stelle compatte, fisica del Sole e vento solare); principi fisici di alcune classi di strumenti atti all'esplorazione dello spazio; astronomia multimessaggero: raggi cosmici, raggi gamma di elevata energia, neutrini di varia provenienza ed onde gravitazionali.

The class deals with the simulation of space systems. The process of modeling formalism is introduced, with a focus on abstraction, paradigms, assumptions, and validity. The class adopts an a-causal modeling principle to mimic the behaviour of the space systems described, as it allows replacing the digital elements with their physical mockup. The a-causal models are embedded in simulators to extract the system response, which is used to verify the design requirements. Modern verification paradigms are taught, which allow including physical elements in the simulation loop with increasing fidelity and complexity: model, software, processor, and hardware in the loop. The methods and techniques developed during the class support the model-based design of space systems, and can be used in design, ananlysis, and verification & validation.
Goals
The main goal of the class is to impart methods and techniques used to reproduce the behavior of space systems and subsystems in digital, physical, and hybrid twins.
The lower-level goals are to:
Model multidisciplinary physical systems with an a-casual approach
Simulate mathematical models into a numerical framework
Develop validation pipelines with increasing degree of fidelity
Develop problem-solving skills in the field of space systems
The methods and techniques developed during the class are used to support the model-based design, and can be used in design, analysis, and verification & validation.

Expected learning outcomes
After successful completion of the exam, students learn how to:
Approach the physical abstraction of complex systems;
Develop mathematical or implicit models of complex systems;
Implement stand-alone codes for complex systems simulation;
Use multi-physics modeling and simulation tools;
Develop modern validation pipelines with increased fidelity

Topics
The class is structured into two parts, Part I: Simulation and Part II: Validation. The topics studied in these two parts are listed below.
Part I: Simulation
Paradigms, assumptions, lumping
A-casual modeling
Multidisciplinary systems
Simulation through multi-physics software
Part II: Validation
Model-in-the-loop simulation
Software-in-the-loop simulation
Processor-in-the-loop simulation
Hardware-in-the-loop simulation

Progetto/i - Elaborato/i obbligatorio, individuale, senza revisioni periodiche, senza presentazione/discussione finale
Assessment
Students have to carry out two assignments and deliver the associated short reports and sample code in order to be eligible for the assessment. The students are required to execute the assignments individually in the form of homework.

Robert H. Cannon, Dynamics of Physical Systems, Editore: McGraw Hill, Anno edizione: 1967
Robert L. Woods, Kent L. Lawrence, Modeling and Simulation of Dynamic Systems, Editore: Prentice Hall, Anno edizione: 1997
Franois E. Cellier, Ernesto Kofman, Continuous System Simulation, Editore: Springer, Anno edizione: 2006
Craig A. Kluever, Dynamic Systems: Modeling, Simulation, and Control, Editore: Wiley, Anno edizione: 2015
Bernard P. Zeigler, Alexandre Muzy, and Ernesto Kofman, Theory of Modeling and Simulation, Editore: Academic Press, Anno edizione: 2019

Motivations and goals
Flying a spacecraft in real-life applications requires putting in practice suitably developed skills, which can be acquired by virtue of a hands-on approach. This class aims to impart applied notions in the field of spacecraft guidance and navigation in order to fill the gap between theory and practice. The main goal of the class is to make students familiar with those methods and techniques used to reproduce the real behaviour of in-flight space system. The low-level goals are to:

• Master fundamentals of numerical astrodynamics, nonlinear static and dynamic optimisation, and propagation of uncertainties
• Simulate the spacecraft navigation process, by modelling real-life measurements and implementing nonlinear spacecraft state estimators
• Reproduce the spacecraft guidance problem, by assessing the flyability of space trajectories when accounting for applied mission requirements and constraints
  Given both the current trends in deep-space exploration as well as the momentum in near-Earth orbits exploitation, a manifold of applications is considered, with scenarios ranging from low-Earth orbits to deep space, with motion relative to both natural and artificial objects.

Expected learning outcomes
After successful completion of the exam, all students will be endowed with the ability to:

• Frame and model the spacecraft guidance problem considering the most suited dynamical environment to meet mission and platform requirements and constraints
• Process real-life measurements of observables and generate high-fidelity synthetic data from state-of-the-art navigation sensors by meeting currently adopted standards
• Provide spacecraft state and parameters estimates by merging synergically predictions from propagation models and measurements gathered by ground- and space-based sensors
• Formulate, implement, and solve the optimal spacecraft guidance problem in view of real actuator models and real disturbances from the environment
• Determine a viable spacecraft guidance and navigation operation concept, including details for state acquisition and maneuvers planning and execution

Topics
The concepts provided throughout the class are structured to cover three main parts; Part I: Fundamentals, Part II: Guidance, Part III: Navigation.
Part I: Fundamentals

• Astrodynamics models
• Numerical integration in astrodynamics
• Nonlinear programming and optimal control
• Statistics and uncertainty propagation
  Part II: Guidance
• The spacecraft guidance problem
• Impulsive guidance modelling and design
• Continuous guidance modelling and design
• Closed-loop guidance & control
  Part III: Navigation
• The spacecraft navigation problem
• Ground- and space-based navigation sensors
• Batch filters for orbit determination and navigation
• Sequential state estimation
  Project/laboratory activities:
  Laboratory activities are proposed to the students based on the numerical implementation of some concepts in realistic applications, using state of the art software tools.
  Moreover, students are asked to carry out two assignments, which involve the solution of realistic problems in the field of spacecraft guidance and navigation.

Prova orale facoltativa (a scelta dello studente)
Progetto/i - Elaborato/i obbligatorio, individuale, senza revisioni periodiche, senza presentazione/discussione finale
Assessment
During the class, students have to carry out two assignments and deliver the associated short reports and sample code in order to be eligible for the assessment. The two assignments consists of sample questions and exercises related to problems of spacecraft guidance and navigation, respectively. Students are required to carry out the assignments individually in the form of homework.

Betts, Practical methods for optimal control & estimation using nonlinear programming, Editore: SIAM, Anno edizione: 2010
Crassidis, Junkins, Optimal estimation of dynamic systems, Editore: CRC press, Anno edizione: 2011
Longuski, Guzmán, Prussing, Optimal control with aerospace applications, Editore: Springer, Anno edizione: 2014
Milani, Gronchi, Theory of orbit determination, Editore: Cambridge University Press, Anno edizione: 2010
Schutz, Tapley, Born, Statistical orbit determination, Editore: Elsevier, Anno edizione: 2004

Il corso si propone di fornire agli studenti una formazione solida nell’ambito della sperimentazione ingegneristica, con un’attenzione specifica ai sistemi di propulsione aerospaziale. Vengono introdotti i fondamenti della misura, della progettazione sperimentale e dell’analisi dei dati, con approfondimenti sul funzionamento di sensori, trasduttori e sistemi di acquisizione. Particolare rilievo è dato alle tecniche di misura dei principali parametri operativi in ambito propulsivo.
Il programma include l’introduzione a tecniche diagnostiche avanzate, in particolare metodi ottici non invasivi quali Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), Stereo-PIV, Laser Doppler Velocimetry (LDV), Background Oriented Schlieren (BOS) e imaging ad alta velocità. A livello introduttivo, vengono trattate anche tecniche spettroscopiche, con particolare riferimento alla chemiluminescenza per l’analisi dei fenomeni di combustione.
L’approccio didattico integra sistematicamente contenuti teorici e attività pratiche, con l’obiettivo di sviluppare competenze avanzate nella validazione sperimentale di modelli e nella caratterizzazione del comportamento di sistemi propulsivi e di componenti affini.

Il corso mira a far comprendere il ruolo cruciale della sperimentazione nella progettazione e ottimizzazione dei sistemi propulsivi. Lo studente acquisirà competenze nella progettazione e gestione di prove sperimentali, inclusa la selezione e l’uso appropriato di sensori e sistemi di acquisizione dati, con particolare attenzione alla valutazione delle prestazioni e delle incertezze. Sarà in grado di elaborare e analizzare i dati sperimentali utilizzando metodi statistici e strumenti digitali, oltre a familiarizzare con tecniche diagnostiche ottiche avanzate per lo studio dei fenomeni termo-fluidodinamici.

Concetti introduttivi della sperimentazione nei sistemi propulsivi
Ruolo della sperimentazione nella progettazione, validazione e ottimizzazione dei sistemi propulsivi, tipologie di prove e obiettivi sperimentali.
Strumentazione e sistemi di misura
Studio delle principali componenti della catena di misura, inclusi sensori, trasduttori e sistemi di acquisizione dati, con attenzione a caratteristiche, calibrazione e comportamento statico e dinamico, in particolare nella risposta a segnali variabili nel tempo.
Acquisizione e trattamento del segnale
Tecniche di campionamento, digitalizzazione e filtraggio dei segnali sperimentali. Analisi nel dominio della frequenza tramite trasformata di Fourier (FT/FFT), spettro di potenza e filtri digitali. Uso di convoluzione e correlazione per l’analisi di risposta e relazione temporale tra segnali sperimentali.Acquisizione delle immagini, con particolare riferimento alle caratteristiche e prestazione dei diversi sensori, e analisi delle immagini utili allo studio dei fenomeni termo-fluidodinamici nei propulsori.
Analisi statistica e gestione dell’incertezza nei dati sperimentali
Introduzione e applicazione di metodi statistici fondamentali per l’analisi descrittiva, la stima di parametri, la propagazione dell’incertezza e l’identificazione di outlier, con approfondimenti teorici e casi pratici.
Misure meccaniche e termofluidodinamiche
Metodi e strumenti per la misura di grandezze fisiche quali temperatura, pressione e forza, con particolare attenzione alle condizioni specifiche dei sistemi propulsivi.
Diagnostiche ottiche avanzate
Introduzione alle tecniche ottiche non invasive (es. PIV, LDV, BOS, chemiluminescenza) per l’analisi dei fenomeni termo-fluidodinamici e della combustione nei propulsori.
Valutazione ambientale e monitoraggio delle emissioni
Cenni sulle metodologie per la misura delle emissioni inquinanti e sull’impatto ambientale dei processi di combustione nei sistemi propulsivi.
Caratterizzazione sperimentale di sistemi propulsivi
Metodologie e strumenti per la prova e la validazione di sistemi propulsivi su banco prova, inclusa la misura delle prestazioni.

Prova scritta obbligatoria, senza prove in itinere
Prova orale condizionata (a scelta del docente)
La verifica consiste in una prova scritta composta da domande teoriche a risposta aperta e chiusa, accompagnate da esercizi numerici. Il docente si riserva la facoltà di richiedere un colloquio orale integrativo.

Figliola, R.S., Beasley, D.E., Theory and Design for Mechanical Measurements, Editore: J. Wiley, Anno edizione: 1991
Doebelin, E.O., Strumenti e metodi di misura, Editore: McGraw-Hill, Anno edizione: 2005
John P. Bentley, Principles of Measurement Systems, Editore: Pearson Education Limited, Anno edizione: 2005, ISBN: 0-13-043028-5
John R. Taylor, Introduzione all'analisi degli errori. Lo studio delle incertezze nelle misure fisiche, Editore: Zanichelli, Anno edizione: 1999, ISBN: 978-8808176561
Cameron Tropea, Alexander L. Yarin & John F. Foss, Springer Handbook of Experimental Fluid Mechanics, Editore: Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer, Anno edizione: 2007
Note: Capitoli specifici offrono una panoramica su tecniche ottiche e elaborazione di segnali e immagini (PIV, LDV, BOS, Schlieren etc.)

The aim of the course it to give students the tools for assessing the structural reliability of aerospace and mechanical components on the basis of service data (loads/structural requirements), structural assessment of the component, material properties. Special attention will be paid to determine the apply the concepts thorugh the correct statistical modelling of structural integrity problems, the connection to component qualification and design standards. In particular students after learning structural integrity and reliability techniques, will address practical projects for the analysis of an aeroengine component and a space part.
The projects will be introduced and explained by experts from companies of aircraft and space components.

In terms of acquired knowledge and understanding, students will be able to:
1) describe statistically and model the typical engineering data and express their dependence on key variables;
2) describe the reliability of a component under different conditions / failure modes;
3) understand the requirement for structural integrity by FAA / ESA / NASA and their background;
4) understand the difference between assessment and qualification of a component.
Concerning the ability to apply the acquired knowledge and understanding, students will be able to:
1) apply simple tools as well as ML method for describing engineering data;
2) apply the concepts of statistics of extremes after the choice of a suitable sampling of the original data;
3) calculate the reliability of a component with different methods;
4) apply modern methods for structural integrity assessment to aerospace components;
5) learn how to use the software NAGRO, available for students.
Furthermore, through the assigned project work students will gain the ability to autonomously apply the concepts of data analysis and to describe the reliability of the assigned component/system.
Finally, students will improve their communication skills, being able to prepare a presentation about the steps of the project work, the development of the different steps, together with a discussion of the methods chosen.

The course covers the following topics divided in modules as per the description below:
Module 1 - Structural Integrity Assessment
Topic 1.1 LEFM limitations and Static assessment of flawed components (FAD diagrams)
Topic 1.2 Design Philosophies
Topic 1.3 Fatigue assessment (safe life)
Topic 1.4 Inspections and reliability over component life
Topic 1.5 Models for flaw/defect acceptability under fatigue
Topic 1.6 Technical Regulations
Module 2 - Analysis of reliability data
Topic 2.1 distributions for describing engineering data
Topic 2.2 sampling distributions and confidence of estimators
Topic 2.3 ML method and analysis of data from industrial tests (run-outs and inspections)
Module 3 - Statistics of Extremes
Topic 3.1 Extreme value and asymptotic distributions;
Topic 3.2 block maxima sampling and extrapolation to extreme events
Module 4 - Reliability analysis for a component
Topic 4.1 Algebra of random variables
Topic 4.2 Failure probability calculation for different failure modes
Topic 4.3 Reliability of structural systems (Weakest-link vs. Fail-Safe)
Topic 4.4 Reliability requirements in standards

Prova orale obbligatoria
Progetto/i - Elaborato/i obbligatorio, di gruppo, senza revisioni periodiche, con presentazione/discussione finale
Students will pass the course after successfully take a mandatory presentation of their projects and an oral exam (delivered in terms or questions to be answered)
[Part 1 of Exam ]
Via this exam/project/activity/experiment, it will be possible to test students’ acquired knowledge and understanding and its application through the presentation of the project works and a discussion about the solution. In details the students are required to achieve a 'mimum' solution and some other optional questions allow the students to demonstrate they master the different modules of the course.
[Part 2 of Exam ]
Via this part of the exam exam the students demonstrate they they know the theoretical backgorund. This part of the exam can consists of 3 questions/short exercises, covering the different course modules, if the students have discussed only 1 project (over the 2 proposed). If the students have discussed 2 projects, the Part2 will consist in 1 oral theoretical question.
Final Grading
To pass the course, students must successfully complete the projects and discuss their solutions with a maximum grade of 24 (for 2 projects) or 18 (for 1 project). The second part of the exam is an oral test which has a final grade of 6 for the students who presented 2 projects and 12 for the students who present only 1 project. The 30L evaluation is conferred to students who solve the optional task of both the projects.

J. Schjive, Fatigue of Structures and Materials, Editore: Springer, Anno edizione: 2009
S. Beretta, Affidabilità delle Costruzioni Meccaniche, Editore: Springer, Anno edizione: 2009
D. Reiss, M thomas, Statistical Analysis of Extreme Values, Editore: Birkhauser, Anno edizione: 1997
F.C. Campbell, Fatigue and Fracture: Understanding the Basics, Editore: ASM International, Anno edizione: 2012
S. Beretta, Lecture Notes
Slides and notes available on WeBeep webeep.polimi.it

Il corso intende fornire le basi della comunicazione tecnica e scientifica scritta e orale, con lo scopo di migliorare la capacità di comunicare in modo efficacie gli aspetti delle attività in ambito ingegneristico. Verrà dedicata particolare attenzione alla comunicazione a un'audience non tecnicamente specializzata, per promuovere le proprie attività e attrarre interesse e finanziamenti. Il corso consisterà in una serie di lezioni integrate da esercizi di gruppo.

La questione degli impatti sociali della ricerca e dello sviluppo delle tecnologie comincia a diventare nota a ingegneri, tecnologi e progettisti. Meno nota è la questione della dimensione sociale della tecnologia nel suo farsi. A partire dalle conoscenze maturate nel campo degli Science and Technology Studies (STS), questo corso insegna, facendo riferimento a casi storici e attuali, a riconoscere come molte tecnologie siano di fatto modellate non solo dalla ricerca scientifica e ingegneristica, ma anche dal legame che esse hanno con i gruppi sociali di riferimento, le culture, gli interessi economici e politici dominanti.