Department of Aerospace Engineering

AE 401 | Course Introduction and Application Information

Course Name

Rocket Propulsion

Code	Semester	Theory (hour/week)	Application/Lab (hour/week)	Local Credits	ECTS
AE 401	FALL	2	2	3	6

Prerequisites	None
Course Language	English
Course Type	ELECTIVE_COURSE
Course Level	First Cycle
Mode of Delivery	Face-To-Face
Teaching Methods and Techniques of the Course	-
National Occupational Classification Code	-
Course Coordinator	Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Fabrizio Pinto
Course Lecturer(s)	Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Fabrizio Pinto
Assistant(s)	-

Course Objectives

This course aims to present the basic principles of rocket engines, to provide common methods used in basis design stages.

Learning Outcomes

The students who succeeded in this course;

Name	Description	PC Sub	* Contribution Level
Name	Description	PC Sub	1	2	3	4	5
LO1	Define general information about the working principles and theory of rocket propulsion systems.	4			X
LO2	Solve simple problems related to rocket propulsion.	1.4			X
LO3	Design rocket propulsion systems.	3.2			X
LO4	Suggest rocket propulsion systems suitable for space vehicles.	4				X
LO5	Evaluate the effects of different rocket propulsion systems on aircraft.	3.2			X

Course Description

Rocket Propulsion course provides important tools in understanding of rocket engines. The course provides basic information about gas dynamics, thermodynamics, combustion, and rocket engine performance.

Related Sustainable Development Goals

Course Category	Core Courses
	Major Area Courses	X
	Supportive Courses
	Media and Managment Skills Courses
	Transferable Skill Courses

WEEKLY SUBJECTS AND RELATED PREPARATION STUDIES

Week	Subjects	Required Materials	Learning Outcome
1	History and Principles of Rocket Propulsion.	Ch. 1.	LO1
2	History and Principles of Rocket Propulsion.	Ch. 1.	LO1
3	Launch Vehicle Dynamics.	Ch. 5.	LO2
4	Launch Vehicle Dynamics.	Ch. 5.	LO2
5	Appendix A: Orbital Motion.		LO2
6	Numerical methods and simulations.		LO2
7	Flight trajectory optimization. Linear-Tangent Steering Laws.	Ch. 3.	LO2
8	Midterm		-
9	Liquid Propellant Rocket Engines	Ch. 4.	LO3
10	Project 1		-
11	Solid Propellant Rocket Motors	Ch. 6.	LO3
12	Electric Propulsion		LO3
13	Nuclear Propulsion. Solar sails.	Ch. 7.	LO3
14	Project 2		-
15	Semester Review		-
16	Final		-

Course Notes/Textbooks	M. J. L. Turner Rocket and Spacecraft Propulsion Springer-Praxis 2009. ISBN 9783540692027.
Suggested Readings/Materials	G.P. Sutton and O. Biblarz Rocket Propulsion Elements Eighth Edition John Wiley & Sons Inc. 2010. ISBN 9780470080245. W. T. Thomson Introduction to Space Dynamics Dover Publications Inc. 1986. ISBN 9780486140520. B. Fu E. Sperber and F. Eke Solar sail technology — A state of the art review. Progress in Aerospace Sciences Vol. 86 1-19 2016. DOI: 10.1016/j.paerosci.2016.07.001.

EVALUATION SYSTEM

Semester Activities	Number	Weighting	LO1	LO2	LO3	LO4	LO5
Project	1	40			X	X	X
Midterm	1	20	X	X	X
Final Exam	1	40	X	X		X	X
Total	3	100

ECTS / WORKLOAD TABLE

Semester Activities	Number	Duration (Hours)	Workload
Participation	-	-	-
Theoretical Course Hours	16	2	32
Laboratory / Application Hours	16	2	32
Study Hours Out of Class	14	5	70
Field Work	-	-	-
Quizzes / Studio Critiques	-	-	-
Portfolio	-	-	-
Homework / Assignments	-	-	-
Presentation / Jury	-	-	-
Project	2	10	20
Seminar / Workshop	-	-	-
Oral Exams	-	-	-
Midterms	1	10	10
Final Exam	1	16	16
		Total	180

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES AND PROGRAM QUALIFICATIONS RELATIONSHIP

#	PC Sub	Program Competencies/Outcomes	* Contribution Level
#	PC Sub	Program Competencies/Outcomes	1	2	3	4	5
1	Engineering Knowledge: Knowledge of mathematics, science, basic engineering, computation, and related engineering discipline-specific topics; the ability to apply this knowledge to solve complex engineering problems.
	1	Mathematics
	2	Science
	3	Basic Engineering
	4	Computation			LO2
	5	Related engineering discipline-specific topics
	6	The ability to apply this knowledge to solve complex engineering problems
2	Problem Analysis: Ability to identify, formulate and analyze complex engineering problems using basic knowledge of science, mathematics and engineering, and considering the UN Sustainable Development Goals relevant to the problem being addressed.
3	Engineering Design: The ability to devise creative solutions to complex engineering problems; the ability to design complex systems, processes, devices or products to meet current and future needs, considering realistic constraints and conditions.
	1	Ability to design creative solutions to complex engineering problems
	2	Ability to design complex systems, processes, devices or products to meet current and future needs, considering realistic constraints and conditions			LO3 LO5
4	Use of Techniques and Tools: Ability to select and use appropriate techniques, resources, and modern engineering and computing tools, including estimation and modeling, for the analysis and solution of complex engineering problems, while recognizing their limitations.				LO1	LO4
5	Research and Investigation: Ability to use research methods to investigate complex engineering problems, including literature research, designing and conducting experiments, collecting data, and analyzing and interpreting results.
	1	Literature research for the study of complex engineering problems
	2	Designing experiments
	3	Ability to use research methods, including conducting experiments, collecting data. analyzing and interpreting results
6	Global Impact of Engineering Practices: Knowledge of the impacts of engineering practices on society, health and safety, economy, sustainability, and the environment, within the context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals; awareness of the legal implications of engineering solutions.
	1	Knowledge of the impacts of engineering practices on society, health and safety, economy, sustainability, and the environment, within the context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals
	2	Awareness of the legal implications of engineering solutions
7	Ethical Behavior: Acting in accordance with the principles of the engineering profession, knowledge about ethical responsibility; awareness of being impartial, without discrimination, and being inclusive of diversity.
	1	Acting in accordance with the principles of the engineering profession, knowledge about ethical responsibility ethical responsibility
	2	Awareness of being impartial and inclusive of diversity, without discriminating on any subject
8	Individual and Teamwork: Ability to work effectively, individually and as a team member or leader on interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary teams (face-to-face, remote or hybrid).
	1	Ability to work individually and within the discipline
	2	Ability to work effectively as a team member or leader in multidisciplinary teams (face-to-face, remote or hybrid)
9	Verbal and Written Communication: Taking into account the various differences of the target audience (such as education, language, profession) on technical issues.
	1	Ability to communicate verbally
	2	Ability to communicate effectively in writing
10	Project Management: Knowledge of business practices such as project management and economic feasibility analysis; awareness of entrepreneurship and innovation.
	1	Knowledge of business practices such as project management and economic feasibility analysis
	2	Awareness of entrepreneurship and innovation
11	Lifelong Learning: Lifelong learning skills that include being able to learn independently and continuously, adapting to new and developing technologies, and thinking questioningly about technological changes.