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Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research The University of Colorado 1 Commercial Spaceflight Operations Masters Course at CU
Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research The University of Colorado 1
Commercial Spaceflight Operations
Masters Course at CU
Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research The University of Colorado 2
Overview
• AES/CCAR Overview• FAA COE Overview• Operations Course Task Description• Academic Objectives• Proposed Topics• Discussion/Audience Participation
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CU AES Overview
Aerospace Engineering Sciences– 37 tenure track faculty– Over 200 graduate students– Over 400 undergraduate students
– Ranked among the top four graduate programs in the nation based on quality of program by 2010 NRC Assessment
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CCAR Overview• Altimeter Calibration/Validation• Earth Gravity Field/Oceanography• GPS Applications
– Orbit Determination– Multipath estimation– Ocean and land surface point positioning
• Orbit and Attitude Determination• Space Navigation• Three-Body Astrodynamics• Orbital Debris Research• Remote Sensing of Atmosphere, Land, Ocean
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CCAR Overview
Founded 1985 118 PhDs Awarded
Current Personnel:Faculty: 14Research Staff: 14Admin. Staff: 1Grad Students: 60Undergrads: 18Total 107
Approx. Annual Research Budget: $6.0m
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FAA COE Overview
Established August 2010– 9 core University Partners– 21 research projects approved/funded in year 1– Collaboration is key goal industry-academia-gov– 1:1 cost-share required by legislation
University Partners:CU Boulder, Stanford, UTMB, NMSU, FSU, UF, FIT, UCF, NMT
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FAA COE Overview
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Operations Course Task
Commercial Space Operations Course– Intended to:
• produce world class operators for launch, on-orbit, & re-entry• retain industry knowledge in new generation workforce• provide application of MS level concepts
– 2 Semester Sequence Expected:• One-semester course/lecture (first offering Fall 2011)• One-semester lab/application (no earlier than Spring 2012)
– Extensive Industry Involvement – Access for Distance Learning – Provide Innovative and Unmatched Student Experience
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Goal
Course shall serve as a bridge betweentheory and application
to prepare real world problem solvers
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Focus
• Human and non-Human spaceflight
• Operational activities for the entire mission sequence– Launch, On-Orbit, Re-Entry– Command – Execute – Evaluate
• Industry ‘evolution’ (governmental commercial)
• Project management / team dynamics
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Logistics• 1 semester course (Fall 2011 – Tuesday/Thursday)
– ~3 hrs lecture, ~3 hrs outside work– 1.5 hours / week CU faculty– 1.5 hours / week Industry representative
• ~ ½ lectures given by industry!
• 1 semester lab (no earlier than Spring 2012)– 3 hours / week instruction– 3 hours / week project work
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Logistics
Distance learning access– Center for Advanced Engineering and
Technical Education (CAETE)– Will provide industry and distance access
around the country– Lectures will be archived to retain insight
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Industry partners
• SNC• SAS• ULA• USA• LASP• Orbital Sciences• SpaceX• Virgin Galactic• Lockheed Martin
• KSC• GSFC• JSC• JPL• Boeing• SS/L• GeoEye• AGI• Digital Globe
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Timeline• FAA approval and funding obtained• Draft academic objectives set up• Receive Feedback from Industry Partners• Finalize academic objectives• Define specific curriculum topics• Identify industry experts for defined topics• Set up detailed course schedule• Offer course for first time (Fall 2011)• Develop material for lab portion of course• Offer lab for first time (no earlier than Spring 2012)• Approve Spaceflight Operations Certificate (TBD)
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Academic Objectives (1-2)
1. Comprehension of total mission sequence– Mission initiation to end of mission
2. Constraints on design and operations– Technical – what can you do– Policy/Legal – what are you allowed to do– Business – what can you afford to do
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Academic Objectives (3-4)
3. Understanding of, and insight into, current industry practices– Comprehension of current industry practices
• Developments over the years– Critical review of potential improvements
• What do operations look like in 10 years?
4. Overview of project management and team dynamics
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Current Industry Feedback
Risk and its effect on operations must be sufficiently addressed
Make clear distinction between Human / non-Human Prepare students to deal with vehicle anomalies Cover end-to-end command infrastructure
Command – ground station – vehicle – OD/information return Critical aspect to cover = teamwork/team dynamics
Hierarchy/team structure
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Discussion on Academic Objectives
Are there any critical academic objectives which we have missed?
Which academic objective do you believe is most critical
What skills would you like to see taught in the context of this course? To a CU aerospace engineering grad student/prospective employee To a current spacecraft operator/employee
Value of this type of class experience For a prospective employee? For a current employee?
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Discussion
General Q&A
Follow-up with: Bradley CheethamGraduate Research [email protected]
