Space Vehicle Design (UoA)

Undergraduate | 2026

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Mode icon
Mode
Mode
Your studies will be on-campus, and may include some online delivery
On campus
area/catalogue icon
Area/Catalogue
ENGM 1010
Course ID icon
Course ID
206700
Campus icon
Campus
Adelaide City Campus East
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course owner
Course owner
School of Elec and Mech Eng
Course coordinator
Course coordinator
Nataliia Sergiienko
Course level icon
Course level
1
Work Integrated Learning course
Work Integrated Learning course
No
Study abroad and student exchange icon
Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
Yes
Discipline group B
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
Yes
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
Yes

Course overview

The aim of the course is to introduce the students to the basic theories and design criteria of space vehicles. Historical developments in space flight are explained as are the basic rocket equations, as well as the principles of rocket staging and its optimisation. The course includes orbital and trajectory theory, where two-body motion, manoeuvres and special trajectories are described. Numerical integration will be introduced. Individual subsystems are covered in detail. A section about rocket propulsion focuses on performance, propulsion requirements and various propellant systems (monopropellant, bipropellant, solid, cold gas and electrical and electromagnetic propulsion systems). Also covered are environmental control and life support systems, electrical power subsystems, communications and thermal control systems.

Course learning outcomes

  • Explain Space Vehicle Design, its complex issues requiring expertise from many different areas of Aerospace Engineering
  • Recognise space vehicle types and subsystems
  • Explain the parameters that influence the design of space vehicles including their mission, orbital mechanics and the space environment
  • Use analytical and numerical methods required to solve space vehicle design problems

Availability

Census date Icon
Census date
Fri 04/09/2026
Enrol by date
Enrol by date
Fri 21/08/2026
Last day to W
Last day to W
Fri 18/09/2026
Last day to WF
Last day to WF
Fri 16/10/2026

Class details

Adelaide City Campus East

Class number
Class number 52256
Section
Section PR01
Size
Size 12
Available
Available 12
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
21 Aug - 21 Aug Friday 9:10am - 10:30am Adelaide City Campus East Engineering South, S115C
Class number
Class number 52255
Section
Section PR02
Size
Size 12
Available
Available 12
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
21 Aug - 21 Aug Friday 10:40am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East Engineering South, S115C
Class number
Class number 52254
Section
Section PR03
Size
Size 12
Available
Available 12
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
28 Aug - 28 Aug Friday 9:10am - 10:30am Adelaide City Campus East Engineering South, S115C
Class number
Class number 52253
Section
Section PR04
Size
Size 12
Available
Available 12
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
28 Aug - 28 Aug Friday 10:40am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East Engineering South, S115C
Class number
Class number 52252
Section
Section PR05
Size
Size 12
Available
Available 12
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
4 Sep - 4 Sep Friday 9:10am - 10:30am Adelaide City Campus East Engineering South, S115C
Class number
Class number 51958
Section
Section PR06
Size
Size 12
Available
Available 12
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
4 Sep - 4 Sep Friday 10:40am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East Engineering South, S115C
Class number
Class number 51957
Section
Section PR07
Size
Size 12
Available
Available 12
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
11 Sep - 11 Sep Friday 9:10am - 10:30am Adelaide City Campus East Engineering South, S115C
Class number
Class number 51956
Section
Section PR08
Size
Size 12
Available
Available 12
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
11 Sep - 11 Sep Friday 10:40am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East Engineering South, S115C
Class number
Class number 51955
Section
Section PR09
Size
Size 12
Available
Available 12
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
18 Sep - 18 Sep Friday 9:10am - 10:30am Adelaide City Campus East Engineering South, S115C
Class number
Class number 51954
Section
Section PR10
Size
Size 12
Available
Available 12
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
18 Sep - 18 Sep Friday 10:40am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East Engineering South, S115C
Class number
Class number 51953
Section
Section PR11
Size
Size 12
Available
Available 12
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
25 Sep - 25 Sep Friday 9:10am - 10:30am Adelaide City Campus East Engineering South, S115C
Class number
Class number 51952
Section
Section PR12
Size
Size 12
Available
Available 12
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
25 Sep - 25 Sep Friday 10:40am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East Engineering South, S115C
Class number
Class number 52257
Section
Section TU01
Size
Size 140
Available
Available 140
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
4 Aug - 22 Sep Tuesday 3:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, G.60
13 Oct - 10 Nov Tuesday 3:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East The Braggs, G.60

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

  • must not have completed MECHENG3104 Space Vehicle Design at the University of Adelaide

Assumed knowledge

N/A

Textbook(s)

N/A

Inherent requirements

N/A

Other resources

N/A

Assessment

N/A

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The Student Contribution amount displayed below is for students commencing a new program from 2021 onwards. If you are continuing in a program you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, or are commencing an Honours degree relating to an undergraduate degree you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, you may be charged a different Student Contribution amount from the amount displayed below. Please check the Student Contribution bands for continuing students here. If you are an international student, or a domestic student studying in a full fee paying place, and are continuing study that you commenced in 2025 or earlier, your fees will be available here before enrolments open for 2026.