This course will first introduce students to different contemporary mechanisms of thrust generation in atmospheric and space flight. Student will learn how to design, analyse and control thrust generation in aircraft and rocket engines, and how the design and performance of these thrust platforms are related to the laws of thermodynamics, fuel-air power cycles, and combustion chemistry. Piston and gas turbine and piston and turboprop engine platforms will be discussed and compared in terms of efficiency, performance and limitations. Reactive thermal and chemical engines will be discussed, and the effect of propulsive nozzle design on the efficiency of will be discussed. Students will also be introduced to electric space propulsion systems for satellites and spacecraft, including ion and plasma drives, and their performance when compared to chemical rockets with respect to specific impulse and thrust. Alternative means of space propulsion, such as solar sails and beam-powered propulsion will be discussed. Control and integration with other aircraft sub-systems will also be considered.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- State the fundamental principles of propulsion system design, integration and testing.
- Describe performance, response and reliability characteristics of aircraft and space propulsion systems.
- Employ modelling and analysing strategies to evaluate propulsion system suitability relative to aircraft performance requirements, including considerations for noise and environmental pollution, and propose pathways for improvement and optimisation.
- Select appropriate control strategies for aerospace propulsion systems.
- Investigate engine interaction and integration issues with other aircraft systems.
- Design strategies for engine health monitoring, and how these can be used to maintain and improve aircraft performance.
Indicative Assessment
- Laboratories (20) [LO 1,2,3]
- Design Project (40) [LO 4,5,6]
- Final Exam (40) [LO 1,2,3,4]
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Workload
130 hours per semester consisting of the following activities:
· Approximately, 3-5 hours of face-to face component, which may consist of 1 x 2 hour interactive lecture, 1 x 2 hour tutorial per week, and 4 x 3 hour laboratory sessions.
· Approximately 5-7 hours of self-study per week which will include self-directed study using the modular content in preparation for interactive lectures and other assessment tasks.
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Nil
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $4740 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $6000 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4486 | 20 Feb 2023 | 27 Feb 2023 | 31 Mar 2023 | 26 May 2023 | In Person | View |
