Course

Introduction to Aerospace systems

History of aviation and space flight; Classification of aircraft and space vehicles; Functions of major components of airplane and space vehicles; subdivisions of aerospace engineering; elements of aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, systems, flight mechanics and controls. Indian aerospace activities. Scientific document preparation, report writing and standardization; Graphing Techniques; basic scientific computing, statistical treatment of data and curve fitting.

by Prof. Murthy Haradanahalli S N

Course ID: BSAS1000

Course Credits: 4

Course Type: Foundation

Pre-requisites: None

Course structure & Assessments

4 credit course, weekly online assignments, 2 in-person invigilated quizzes, 1 in-person invigilated end term exam. For details, visit Academics.

WEEK 1	What constitutes Aeronautics and Space Technology? Atmosphere and its properties, outer space; Basic things that an Engineer should know: Units & dimensions; Significant digits
WEEK 2	Applications of Aerospace systems: conventional and unconventional
WEEK 3	Classification of aircrafts: Aerostats; Aerodynes - airplanes, helicopters, multirotors etc. Basic principles that enable flight of lighter than air and heavier than air systems
WEEK 4	Primary Fields: Aerodynamics, flight dynamics & control; propulsion systems; Structures; Avionics and communication systems; Ground support systems; safety & security aspects
WEEK 5	Primer on Aerodynamics
WEEK 6	Primer on Flight dynamics and Control
WEEK 7	Typical instruments and sensors used in an aircraft
WEEK 8	Primer on Propulsion Systems: classification of propulsion systems and choice of propulsion systems
WEEK 9	Primer on Aerospace Structures: components of Airframe
WEEK 10	Aerospace Materials
WEEK 11	Satellites, Space robotics and their relevance
WEEK 12	Safety and Security aspects

About the Instructors

Prof. Murthy Haradanahalli S N

Professor, Department of Aerospace Engineering, IIT Madras

Professor Murthy Haradanahalli S N is the Head of the Department of Aerospace Engineering at IIT Madras. He has been a faculty at IIT Madras for the last 20 years and has been the Head for the last five years. He got his BTech in Aerospace Engineering from IIT Madras in 1998. He holds a Master’s degree (2000) and a Ph.D. (2004) in Aerospace Engineering from Purdue University. He has about 50 Journal publications and another 70 conference papers on subjects varying from Contact Mechanics, Finite Element Analysis, Fracture Mechanics, Composite Material Stress Analysis, Failure Analysis, Mechanical Testing, and more. He is also interested in development of UAVs and structural weight optimization of components. He is currently involved in structural design of ramjet based extended range ballistics and Rockets.

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