Department of Aerospace Engineering

AE 441 | Course Introduction and Application Information

Course Name

Applications of Special Relativity to Space Engineering

Code	Semester	Theory (hour/week)	Application/Lab (hour/week)	Local Credits	ECTS
AE 441	SPRING	2	2	3	5

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	Discussion Problem Solving Lecturing / Presentation
National Occupational Classification Code	-
Course Coordinator	Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Fabrizio Pinto
Course Lecturer(s)	Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Fabrizio Pinto
Assistant(s)	-

Course Objectives

The objective of this course is to introduce students to the physical and mathematical structure of the theory of special relativity, which is considered as one of the most fundamental and central theories in physics.

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	Will be able to describe the fundamental principles of Einstein's theory of special relativity.	3.2				X
LO2	Solve relativistic physics problems using the laws of relativistic kinematics.	3.2				X
LO3	Analyze relativistic physics problems using the four-vector representation.	3.2				X
LO4	Set up the laws of relativistic dynamics.	3.2				X
LO5	Discuss the Maxwell’s equations and their solutions within the framework of relativistic physics.	3.2				X

Course Description

The discussions in this course will involve the topics of Michelson-Morley experiment, Einstein’s fundamental axioms, speed of light, Lorentz transformations, absolute time, time dilation, length contraction, relativistic optics, drag and Doppler effects, four-vector notation, four-velocity, four acceleration, four-momentum and mass-energy equivalence, de Broglie waves and photons, relativistic dynamics, Maxwell’s equations in four-vector notation, and field transformations.

Related Sustainable Development Goals

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

WEEKLY SUBJECTS AND RELATED PREPARATION STUDIES

Week	Subjects	Required Materials	Learning Outcome
1	Fundamentals of Special Relativity. The Michelson-Morley experiment	L. D. Landau, E. M. Lifshitz, The Classical Theory of Fields (Pergamon Press, Oxford, 1975). ISBN: 978-0750627689 Ch. 1-3	LO1
2	Inertial frames and Einstein’s two axioms	L. D. Landau, E. M. Lifshitz, The Classical Theory of Fields (Pergamon Press, Oxford, 1975). ISBN: 978-0750627689 Ch. 1-3	LO1
3	Speed of light and Lorentz transformations	L. D. Landau, E. M. Lifshitz, The Classical Theory of Fields (Pergamon Press, Oxford, 1975). ISBN: 978-0750627689 Ch. 1-3	LO3
4	Absolute time, time dilation, length contraction	L. D. Landau, E. M. Lifshitz, The Classical Theory of Fields (Pergamon Press, Oxford, 1975). ISBN: 978-0750627689 Ch. 1-3	LO2
5	Relativistic optics, drag and Doppler effects	L. D. Landau, E. M. Lifshitz, The Classical Theory of Fields (Pergamon Press, Oxford, 1975). ISBN: 978-0750627689 Ch. 7	LO5
6	Project 1		-
7	Spacetime and Four-Vectors	L. D. Landau, E. M. Lifshitz, The Classical Theory of Fields (Pergamon Press, Oxford, 1975). ISBN: 978-0750627689 Ch. 2-4	LO3
8	Four-Vectors: Four-Velocity and Four-Acceleration	L. D. Landau, E. M. Lifshitz, The Classical Theory of Fields (Pergamon Press, Oxford, 1975). ISBN: 978-0750627689 Ch. 2-4	LO4
9	Four-Momentum and Mass-Energy Equivalence	L. D. Landau, E. M. Lifshitz, The Classical Theory of Fields (Pergamon Press, Oxford, 1975). ISBN: 978-0750627689 Ch. 2-4	LO5
10	Maxwell’s Equations in Four-Vector Notation; Transformations of Electric and Magnetic Fields	L. D. Landau, E. M. Lifshitz, The Classical Theory of Fields (Pergamon Press, Oxford, 1975). ISBN: 978-0750627689 Ch. 3-4	LO5
11	Project 2		-
12	Nuclear energy in space engineering	M. J. L. Turner, Rocket and spacecraft propulsion (Springer-Praxis, Berlin, 2009). ISBN: 978-3-540-69202-7. Ch. 7	LO2
13	Solar and light sails; interstellar travel	Colin R. McInnes, Solar Sailing (Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1999). ISBN: 978-1-85233-102-3. Ch. 2-4	LO4
14	Autonomous navigation at relativistic speeds, Project 3	C. A. L. Bailer-Jones, Lost in space? Relativistic interstellar navigation using an astrometric star catalogue, Publ. Astron. Soc. Pac., 133, 074502 (2021). DOI 10.1088/1538-3873/ac0774 Ch. 1-3	LO4
15	Semester Review		-
16	Final Exam		-

Course Notes/Textbooks	L. D. Landau E. M. Lifshitz The Classical Theory of Fields (Pergamon Press Oxford 1975). ISBN: 978-0750627689
Suggested Readings/Materials	C. A. L. Bailer-Jones Lost in space? Relativistic interstellar navigation using an astrometric star catalogue Publ. Astron. Soc. Pac. 133 074502 (2021). DOI 10.1088/1538-3873/ac0774 Colin R. McInnes Solar Sailing (Springer-Verlag Berlin 1999). ISBN: 978-1-85233-102-3. M. J. L. Turner Rocket and spacecraft propulsion (Springer-Praxis Berlin 2009). ISBN: 978-3-540-69202-7.

EVALUATION SYSTEM

Semester Activities	Number	Weighting	LO1	LO2	LO3	LO4	LO5
Project	3	60	X		X	X	X
Final Exam	1	40	X	X	X	X	X
Total	4	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	3	42
Field Work	-	-	-
Quizzes / Studio Critiques	-	-	-
Portfolio	-	-	-
Homework / Assignments	-	-	-
Presentation / Jury	-	-	-
Project	3	10	30
Seminar / Workshop	-	-	-
Oral Exams	-	-	-
Midterms	-	-	-
Final Exam	1	14	14
		Total	150

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
	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				LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 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.
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.