Introduction to Aerospace Engineering: Astronautics and Human Spaceflight

<div class="xblock xblock-public_view xblock-public_view-vertical" data-has-score="False" data-runtime-class="LmsRuntime" data-graded="False" data-request-token="a348dcdbea7b11efbdc412d4917dea95" data-runtime-version="1" data-block-type="vertical" data-course-id="course-v1:MITx+16.00x+2T2019" data-init="VerticalStudentView" data-usage-id="block-v1:MITx+16.00x+2T2019+type@vertical+block@0e9654efa4f8499893f343c73e50e524"> <h2 class="hd hd-2 unit-title">Overview</h2> <div class="vert-mod"> <div class="vert vert-0" data-id="block-v1:MITx+16.00x+2T2019+type@html+block@479c03878abc4386948afedf4260c777"> <div class="xblock xblock-public_view xblock-public_view-html xmodule_display xmodule_HtmlBlock" data-has-score="False" data-runtime-class="LmsRuntime" data-graded="False" data-request-token="a348dcdbea7b11efbdc412d4917dea95" data-runtime-version="1" data-block-type="html" data-course-id="course-v1:MITx+16.00x+2T2019" data-init="XBlockToXModuleShim" data-usage-id="block-v1:MITx+16.00x+2T2019+type@html+block@479c03878abc4386948afedf4260c777"> <script type="json/xblock-args" class="xblock-json-init-args"> {"xmodule-type": "HTMLModule"} </script> <h2>2.1.1 Overview of Unit 2</h2> <h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Open Sans', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>ACTUALLY, IT <em>IS</em> ROCKET SCIENCE</strong></span></h1> <p><img style="display: block; margin: 20px auto 20px auto;" src="/assets/courseware/v1/b5c9fc8182dfbde9372a48ae89516151/asset-v1:MITx+16.00x+2T2019+type@asset+block/STS1_Launch_500.jpg" alt="Launch of STS-1 Space Shuttle Columbia" type="saveimage" target="[object Object]" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Launch of Space Shuttle Columbia on STS-1 (Image credit: NASA)</span></em></p> <p>People often use the term "rocket science" to refer to a task that is really difficult or even impossible. Well, that's because launching a rocket <strong><em>is</em></strong> really difficult. Fortunately, many of the key concepts in rocket science can be explained using basic math and physics.</p> <p>Rocket science lies at the heart of aerospace engineering, and deals with the design, development, testing, and operation of rockets that launch humans and spacecraft into orbits around the Earth and beyond. In 16.00x, we will introduce you to the basics of rocket science, including the fundamentals of propulsion, the famous Rocket Equation, the different types of rocket engines, and the effects of gravity and atmospheric drag. Prof. Hoffman will also give his personal account of what it is like to ride on a rocket and launch into space.</p> <p>Upon completing Unit 2, students should be able to:</p> <ul> <li><span style="line-height: 1.6; font-size: 1em;">MO 2.1: Describe the basic principles of rocket propulsion and explain the different forces acting on a rocket</span></li> <li><span style="line-height: 1.6; font-size: 1em;">MO 2.2: Identify the different types of rocket propulsion systems and describe the operating principles, advantages, and disadvantages of each system</span></li> <li><span style="line-height: 1.6; font-size: 1em;">MO 2.3: Apply the Ideal Rocket Equation to calculate the performance of single- and multi-stage rockets</span></li> <li><span style="line-height: 1.6; font-size: 1em;">MO 2.4: Explain why rocket staging is important for achieving Earth orbit</span></li> <li><span style="line-height: 1.6; font-size: 1em;">MO 2.5: Explain the unique structural requirements for rockets</span></li> <li><span style="line-height: 1.6; font-size: 1em;">MO 2.6: Describe the basic concept of a control feedback loop that keeps a rocket flying along the desired trajectory</span></li> </ul> <p></p> <ol></ol> </div> </div> </div> </div>