Aerospace Satellite Engineering (Extended Degree) BEng (Hons)
September 2026 Start

This module provides the opportunity to build on fundamental statics and materials knowledge and further examine applied mechanics with a focus on the development of more in-depth modelling approaches that provide more detail and insight into the behaviour of materials. You will analyse mechanics concepts such as stress and strain transformations, shear stresses in beams and thin-walled structures to the solution of more broadly defined problems where there is some degree of uncertainty in their definition. Finite element analysis, a computational technique, will be used in the analysis and design of mechanical structures, components and systems and compared to complementary experimental and analytical approaches that can be used to underpin, verify and interpret simulation results.

This module is designed to provide you with two key concepts in Mathematics: Laplace Transforms and periodic functions. You will learn their use in solving ordinary differential equations arising from real world physical problems, and their use in describing the behaviour of simple control systems. The concept of the harmonic components of a periodic waveform will be introduced to you and be shown how this is useful in matching general solutions of partial differential equations to particular boundary or initial conditions. The solution of systems of linear ordinary differential equations using matrix methods will also be considered.


Outline Syllabus
Laplace Transforms: Definition, simple transforms, linearity. First shift theorem. Inverse transforms, linearity, use of the first shift theorem and partial fractions. Transforms of derivatives. Transforms of an integral. The Heaviside Unit Step function. The second shift theorem. Solution of linear ordinary differential equations with constant coefficients, including systems of such equations. The Delta function and the Impulse Response function; transfer function. Initial and final-value theorems. Convolution and the convolution theorem. Poles of the transfer function and stability. Steady-state response. (50%)

Periodic functions and Fourier series: Full-range and half-range series, even and odd functions and coefficients in complex form. Application to the solution of partial differential equations by the method of separation of variables. (25%)

Matrices, eigenvalues and eigenvectors: Algebraic evaluation of the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a matrix, application to the solution of a system of linear ordinary differential equations. (25%)

The module will be delivered using a combination of lectures and seminars. Assessment is by formal examination.

This module aims to further develop your capabilities in the areas of digital systems, building on the hardware and software design and development techniques covered in previous related module(s).

In the Hardware Description Language (HDL) section, you learn about technology and architecture. The concept of HDL as a tool to simulate, design and document digital systems is introduced and you will learn how to design, specify, and apply digital combinational and sequential building blocks in isolation, and as part of a larger system. Then the module introduces an industry standard HDL known as Verilog, and shows how it can be used to describe, at the gate and logic expression level, digital building blocks such as decoders, multiplexers, encoders, shift registers and counters. During the course, you are given the opportunity to explore designs by means of simulation using industry standard design tools from raw Verilog code to the simulation state. You will learn how the HDL code is used for actual low-level hardware design implementation and they will also cover other practical aspects of digital hardware design, such as logic hazards, propagation delays and interfacing with other digital modules.
You will also cover techniques and tools that help you with developing your Verilog code including:
1- K-map simplification
2- Timing analysis
3- Synthesizable vs non-synthesizable code
4- Finite state machine (FSM) and state diagram
5- Writing testbench for verification
6- Code reuse and IP blocks
This part of the module comes with a set of workshops specifically arranged to teach you how to use designated tools for simulation and programming a FPGA device.

In the Programming Language section, you will learn about the architecture of microcontrollers and concept of embedded systems. ARM-based microcontroller as well as various ARM-compatible operating systems will be introduced. You will learn about different types of compilers and toolchain, and they will use the C++ language to program an ARM platform to program hardware to perform high-level tasks such as IO port access, serial connection, memory management, FSM, and string manipulation. An overview of C++ language will be given to you and advanced topics such as pointer and classes in C++ are taught. Controlling peripherals such as analogue to digital converter (ADC), ad digital to analogue converter (DAC), is introduced as well as data communication protocols such as I2C, and SPI. you will learn how to communicate with a PC application through a serial wired connection. The IoT technology and cloud services for microcontroller platforms are also introduced.
This part of the module comes with a set of workshops specifically arranged to teach you how to use designated tools for simulation and programming an ARM platform.

In this module you will learn about electronic communications. You will learn fundamental techniques that are used in communication systems for sending information between two devices. You will learn a number of techniques that are used in modern day communication systems to transfer information both via a physical connection such as a cable and also via a wireless connection.

Two of the key themes of electronic communications that you will study are Analogue communication and Digital communication. In both themes you will learn a number of key engineering processes that are fundamental to communications. In analogue communications you will learn the key physical and electronic processes necessary to transfer information in an analogue form. You will also explore current technologies and techniques in radio and satellite communications. In the digital communications topic, the knowledge that you learn in analogue communications will be expanded to a higher level to allow you to understand the key requirements for digital communication. We will examine how communication techniques have evolved over the years to allow users to transfer vast amounts of information at ever increasing speeds.

Three key areas within these two topics are identified:

ANALOGUE COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS
Amplitude Modulation; comparison of various forms of AM, demodulation, frequency and phase insertion errors, examples and applications. Frequency modulation; NBFM, WBFM, spectra and bandwidth, examples and applications. Transmission and reception circuits. Attenuation in radio systems. Modern systems and standards.


DIGITAL COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS
Spectra of rectangular waveforms, bit rates, baud rates and relationship to bandwidth. line codes and shaping. ASK, FSK, PSK, generation and demodulation, spectrum and bandwidth. Comparison of bandwidth and power. Quadrature carrier systems. OSI reference model. Asynchronous and synchronous communications. The serial data link. Protocols. FDM and TDM multiplexing. Parity and CRC principles and implementation. Networks. IP addressing

OPTICAL SYSTEMS
Optical sources; structure, performance and frequency response. Detectors. Fibres; modes, dispersion, optimum wavelength, coupling and splicing.

This module provides you with the knowledge and skills required to research, design, implement and manage the development of an aerospace engineering design. Specifically, you will learn:



FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING (25%):

This section provides an overview of the key principles in aerospace engineering, in particular the materials, structures, aerodynamics and propulsion. This section will also include the basic control principles.



AEROSPACE EXPERIMENTAL SKILLS (25%)

This section will provide an overview of the software required for the design of the prototype aircraft components using 3D printing, such as Solidworks, Fusion and Ultimaker Cura. During the workshop practice, you will also have the opportunity to learn how to use a wind tunnel for testing the aerodynamics of your design.

This section will also include an introduction to embedded system and stepper motors to control the airflow on your design. You will be using ARM Integrated Development Environment (IDE) to develop control algorithm for ARM based microcontroller.



AEROSPACE SYSTEM DESIGN (50%):

This section explores the application aerospace engineering principles and aircraft design. You will have the opportunity to work in an interdisciplinary team to design, build and testing of an aircraft flight through experimental sessions.

This module introduces the principles of operation and design of satellite power systems, focusing on energy generation, storage, protection, and energy management schemes. It includes sizing guidelines for energy generation and storage systems to ensure reliability and efficiency. You will gain an understanding of power systems and microgrid structures, along with the principles of reliability and efficiency. Given that satellite Power Systems rely heavily on solar energy and advanced power electronics for energy conversion, the module also provides an introduction to these key components.

POWER SYSTEMS and MICROGRIDS (40%):

This section explores the principles of electric power systems and their operation, the fundamentals of microgrid structures—including satellite-based microgrids—and design considerations for reliability, efficiency, and scalability. It also addresses energy management schemes, such as load balancing and fault protection.

SOLAR ENERGY SOURCES (20%):

This section provides an overview of solar energy systems and their components, the principles of photovoltaic (PV) energy generation in space environments, challenges and solutions for solar energy utilisation in satellites, and the integration of solar energy into microgrid systems.

POWER ELECTRONICS (20%):

This section covers the fundamentals of power electronics and their applications in microgrids, the operation of power converters (DC-DC and DC-AC) for energy conversion, an introduction to pulse width modulation (PWM) control techniques, and the role of power electronics in efficient energy conversion for satellite systems.

SIZING ENERGY GENERATION AND STORAGE (20%):

This section focuses on guidelines for sizing solar panels and energy storage systems for satellites, estimating energy needs based on satellite missions and operational profiles, and selecting and integrating battery technologies for space applications.



You will develop research and written communication skills through a group project report and enhance your presentation skills via a group presentation. working in teams will develop project management skills by coordinating your tasks and responsibilities with your teammates. Specific tasks will be allocated to each member to ensure the project is completed within the required timeframe.