ASE - Aerospace Engineering

Aerospace Engineering: ASE

Lower-Division Courses

ASE X02. Introduction to Aerospace Engineering.

Introduction to aerospace engineering, including problem solving and study skills. Examines opportunities and responsibilities of careers in aerospace engineering.

ASE X19. Topics in Aerospace Engineering.

ASE X19S. Topics in Aerospace Engineering.

Used to record credit the student earns while enrolled at another institution in a program administered by the University's Study Abroad Office or the school's International Engineering Education Programs.

ASE X24L. Aerospace Materials Laboratory.

Study of the deformation and fracture behavior of materials used in aerospace vehicles. Structure-property relations, methods of characterizing material behavior, use of properties in the design process. Case histories. Written reports.

Upper-Division Courses

ASE X20. Low-Speed Aerodynamics.

Fundamental concepts, fluid statics; integral and differential analysis; detailed analysis of inviscid, incompressible flows; aerodynamics of airfoils and wings.

ASE X20K. Low-Speed Aerodynamics Laboratory.

Wind tunnel and water channel experiments at subsonic speeds; use of instrumentation and written reports.

ASE X24L. Aerospace Materials Laboratory.

ASE X28. Aerospace Engineering Projects Laboratory.

Directed work on an organized student project in aerospace engineering or engineering mechanics.

ASE X30M. Linear System Analysis.

Explore the fundamentals of signals and systems; mathematical modeling of mechanical systems; transfer function; impulse response; Laplace transforms; response of linear, time-invariant systems; frequency response methods; time-domain analysis; introductory concepts for feedback control systems; multivariate linear dynamical systems; eigenvalues and eigenvectors; matrix exponentials. An introduction to fundamental elements of the theory of systems and signals and exposure to necessary concepts and tools required to perform modeling and analysis of linear dynamical systems. Demonstrate the theory through several simulation examples using MATLAB and Simulink relevant to applications of modern aerospace engineering systems.

ASE X39. Advanced Strength of Materials.

Curved beams, shear deformation, beam columns, beams on elastic foundations; inelastic behavior of members; elementary plate bending.

ASE X46. Viscous Fluid Flow.

Navier-Stokes equations, laminar and turbulent boundary layers, transition, effects of pressure gradients, heat transfer, and compressibility.

ASE X55. Aeroelasticity.

Static aeroelastic phenomena; wing torsional divergence, control reversal, effect of wing sweep, flexibility effects on aircraft stability and control, and design implications; dynamic aeroelasticity; and galloping of transmission lines, flutter, and unsteady aerodynamics. Includes an introduction to experimental aeroelasticity.

ASE X57. Mechanics of Composite Materials.

Anisotropic constitutive relationships, lamination theory, failure theories, micromechanical behavior of laminates; laminated composite plates--bending, vibration, and buckling; composite fabrication, sandwich and other composite lightweight structures.

ASE X61K. Aircraft Design I.

Introduction to systems engineering including the systems engineering process, requirements, design fundamentals, trade studies, cost and risk analyses, integration, technical reviews, case studies, and ethics.

ASE X61L. Aircraft Design II.

Examine aerospace systems characteristics, mission requirements, sensors, and consumables analyses; and mission phases, request for proposal, problem definition, ideation, proposal preparation, conceptual design review, preliminary design development and review, and design report preparation. Produce written reports.

ASE X62K. Compressible Flow.

Shock and expansion waves, quasi-one-dimensional flow, converging-diverging nozzles, diffusers, linearized flow, and compressibility effects on aerodynamics of airfoils and bodies.

ASE X62M. High-Speed Aerodynamics Laboratory.

Experiments using a variable-Mach number supersonic wind tunnel and shock tube. Aerodynamics of wedges, cones, spheres and diamond-shaped airfoils in supersonic flow. One-dimensional unsteady shock motion. High-speed flow measurement techniques.

ASE X64. Applied Aerodynamics.

Detailed analysis of aerodynamics of compressible and incompressible flows about wings and airfoils; wing and airfoil parameters and force and moment coefficients; and thin-airfoil theory, lifting-line theory, panel methods, high-lift devices, delta wings, transonic flows, and supersonic flows over wings.

ASE X65. Structural Dynamics.

Analysis of discrete and continuous vibrating systems; deriving equations of motion; determining response; and natural frequencies and modes of vibration.

ASE X66K. Spacecraft Dynamics.

Examine Newton's gravity law, Kepler's laws, basic orbit propagation, orbit properties, orbital elements, coordinate systems and transformations, radar observations, ground tracks, orbit maneuvers, and trajectory design principles.

ASE X66L. Applied Orbital Mechanics.

Selected subjects in satellite motion and satellite applications, including communication and navigation satellites, orbit selection/design for satellite applications, orbital coordinate systems, time, major perturbing forces, rendezvous and intercept, and interplanetary trajectories.

ASE X66M. Spacecraft Systems Laboratory.

Overview of spacecraft subsystems, mission design program library, numerical techniques, mission planning references, mission constraints, and mission design projects. Includes written reports.

ASE X67K. Flight Dynamics.

Equations of motion for rigid aircraft; aircraft performance, weight and balance, static stability and control, and dynamic stability; design implications.

ASE X70C. Feedback Control Systems.

Fundamentals of linear control analysis and design for single-input, single-output systems; stability and performance measures; Routh Hurwitz analysis; root locus methods; frequency response (Bode and Nyquist); introduction to full-state feedback.

ASE X72K. Attitude Dynamics.

Examine attitude representations, rotational kinematics, rigid-body dynamics, and torque-free motion. Explore satellite's sensors and actuators, attitude determination algorithms, and passive and active attitude control systems.

ASE X72N. Satellite-Based Navigation.

Satellite-based navigation systems, with focus on the Global Positioning System (GPS), ground and space segments, receiver location estimation, astrodynamics, satellite signal coordinate/time systems, differential techniques, GPS data analysis.

ASE X74D. Aerospace Systems Senior Design I.

ASE X74E. Aerospace Systems Senior Design II.

ASE X74K. Space Systems Engineering Design.

Introduction to systems engineering: the systems engineering process, requirements, design fundamentals, trade studies, cost and risk analyses, integration, technical reviews, case studies, and ethics. Includes written reports.

ASE X74L. Spacecraft/Mission Design.

ASE X75. Electromechanical Systems.

Subjects include basic electronic circuits, operational amplifiers, concepts of impedance and feedback, sensors to measure temperature, displacement, strain, force and acceleration, impulse testing, shake testing, and triggered data acquisition. These concepts will be implemented via experiments that illustrate interesting phenomena in solids and structures.

ASE X76C. Rocket Engineering Practicum I.

An introduction to rocket engineering. Explore a high-level overview of the principles, systems, and design methodologies required to design a vehicle capable of going to space. Participate in project-based work embedded within actual systems of the Texas Rocket Engineering Laboratory.

ASE X76D. Rocket Engineering Practicum II.

Explore the industry-relevant design and production environment encountered when working on a rocket subsystem in depth. Participate in project work embedded within systems of the Texas Rocket Engineering Laboratory.

ASE X76F. Rocket Fluid System Design.

Discuss analysis and design of rocket fluid systems, including component selection and design; sensors; propellant loading, usage, and measurement; tank pressurization. Examine control theory.

ASE X76G. Rocket Guidance, Navigation, and Control.

Explore rocket trajectory design, statistics, signal processing, and various control strategies. Discuss classic GNC design problems and in-depth control software projects.

ASE X76K. Propulsion.

Review of control volume analysis and quasi-one-dimensional compressible flow. Simple propeller theory. Analysis and design of rocket nozzles and air-breathing engines, including performance and cycle analysis; flow in nozzles, diffusers, compressor, and turbine stages; combustion chamber processes and propellants. Includes an introduction to chemical rocket propulsion.

ASE X79H. Undergraduate Honors Thesis.

Research performed during two consecutive semesters under the supervision of an engineering faculty member; topics are selected jointly by the student and the faculty member with approval by the director of the Engineering Honors Program. The student makes an oral presentation and writes a thesis.

ASE X79K. Research in Aerospace Engineering.

Directed study or research in a selected area of aerospace engineering.

ASE X79L. Topics in Aerospace Engineering.

Current topics in aerospace engineering.

ASE X79L.1. Selected Topics in Fluid Mechanics.

ASE X79L.2. Selected Topics in Structural Mechanics.

ASE X79L.3. Selected Topics in Flight Mechanics.

ASE X79L.4. Selected Topics in Orbital Mechanics.

ASE X79L.5. Rocket Science.

Review rocket thrust equation and non-ideal nozzle analysis for quasi one-dimensional perfect gas flow. Discuss thermochemistry; chemical equilibrium; kinetics; liquid, solid, and hybrid chemical rocket systems; and electric rocket propulsion.

ASE X79L.6. Low Earth Orbit for Earth Observation.

Explore orbital geometry, approximate representation, and design of orbits in the secularly precessing ellipse model. Examine the motion of satellites, the sun, the moon and the Earth. Discuss the view of space from the ground, the view of ground from space, and the design and utilization of constellations.

ASE X79L.9. Selected Topics in Controls.

ASE X79S. Topics in Aerospace Engineering.

ASE X79W. Aerial Robotics.

Comprehensive introduction to robotic aircraft. Examine rotorcraft dynamics modeling, feedback control, sensing, state estimation, path planning, machine vision, and decision-making under uncertainty. Design an automation protocol, written in C++, that commands a squad of quadcopters competing in a game.

Graduate Courses

ASE X24L. Aerospace Materials Laboratory.

ASE X80P. Topics in Mathematical Analysis for Aerospace Engineers.

ASE X80P.1. Analytical Methods I.

Introduction to modern mathematics, real analysis of functions of one variable, linear algebra, elements of real analysis of functions of many variables, calculus of variations.

ASE X80P.2. Analytical Methods II.

Elements of complex analysis, Fourier and Laplace transforms, ordinary and partial differential equations, perturbation methods.

ASE X81P. Topics in System Theory.

ASE X81P.1. Linear Systems Analysis.

Linear dynamical systems; controllability and observability; stability; realization theory; state-feedback and observers.

ASE X81P.10. Learning for Dynamics and Controls.

ASE X81P.11. Nonlinear Dynamics and Control.

Analysis and synthesis of nonlinear control systems. Stability theory, Center manifold analysis, feedback linearization, backstepping, time-scale separations, nonlinear observers, Aeromechanical system applications.

ASE X81P.14. System ID and Adaptive Control.

System identification, persistence of excitation, model reference adaptive control, projection operators, immersion and invariance techniques, applications to aeromechanical systems.

ASE X81P.15. Formal Methods for Robotics.

ASE X81P.16. Networked Control Systems.

ASE X81P.17. Introduction to Optimization.

Introduction to convex optimization (linear, quadratic, second order cone, and semi-definite programming). Review linear and matrix algebra, singular value decomposition, least squares optimization. Discuss engineering applications of optimization.

ASE X81P.18. Modeling Multi-Agent Systems.

Introduction to the mathematics of dynamic game theory, and the use of self-driving vehicles as an ongoing case study. Discuss static games and complementarity programming, dynamic game theory, and game theory and multi-agent control.

ASE X81P.19. Architecting and Design of Autonomous Aerospace Systems.

Introduction to the technical, operational, economic, market, environmental, regulatory, legal, manufacturing, and societal factors that must be considered; as well as the optimization problems and underlying mathematical solution approaches inherent to the architecting and design of systems with high levels of automation and autonomy. Discuss the framework and tools required to develop an appropriate architecture for a large, complex, multi-vehicle aerospace system.

ASE X81P.2. Multivariable Control Systems.

Multivariable feedback systems; factorizations and controller parameterization; limitations and trade-offs of feedback; robust stability and performance; robust H2 and H-infinity control methods.

ASE X81P.3. Optimal Control Theory.

Unconstrained and constrained finite-dimensional optimization, introduction to calculus of variations and optimal control, necessary and sufficient conditions for optimality, Pontryagin's Maximum Principle, minimum-time control, linear quadratic optimal control theory, introduction to dynamic programming, Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation.

ASE X81P.4. Numerical Methods in Optimization.

Numerical methods for solving parameter optimization, suboptimal control, and optimal control problems.

ASE X81P.6. Statistical Estimation Theory.

Modeling static and dynamic systems, linear and nonlinear estimation, Bayesian estimation, batch least squares, Kalman filtering, square-root and information filtering, introduction to advanced estimation methods.

ASE X81P.7. Advanced Topics in Estimation Theory.

Estimation in the presence of unmodeled accelerations; nonlinear estimators; continuous estimation methods.

ASE X81P.9. Human Centered Robotics.

ASE X82Q. Topics in Fluid Mechanics.

ASE X82Q.1. Foundations of Fluid Mechanics.

Fundamental equations; constitutive equations for Newtonian fluids; inviscid, incompressible potential flow; viscous flow including exact solutions and boundary layer theory; compressible flow.

ASE X82Q.10. Plasmas and Reactive Flows.

Fundamental description of plasmas and reactive flows. Includes derivation of common governing transport equations for a broad class of electrically conducting and nonconducting reactive gases, and electromagnetic field interactions with gases, gas-phase and surface kinetics, transport properties, and applications.

ASE X82Q.11. Foundations of Computational Fluid Dynamics.

Higher-order numerical methods for solving partial differential equations and ordinary differential equations. Focus on the numerical computation of fluid flows, with a variety of scientific applications.

ASE X82Q.12. Partially Ionized Plasmas and Gas Discharges.

ASE X82Q.13. Viscous Fluid Flow.

Discuss transport phenomena, conservation equations, Navier-Stokes equations, analytical solutions to Navier-Stokes equations, laminar and turbulent boundary layers, transition, and effects of pressure gradients, with a brief introduction to RANS, LES, DNS.

ASE X82Q.7. Advanced Problems in Compressible Flow.

Physics and modeling of compressible fluids; types and structure of shock waves; heat conduction and secondary viscosity effects; exact nonlinear flow models.

ASE X82Q.8. Lagrangian Methods in Computational Fluid Dynamics.

Particle-based methods of computational fluid dynamics: molecular dynamics, direct simulation Monte Carlo, cellular automata, lattice Boltzmann, particle in cell, point vortex, immersed boundary.

ASE X82Q.9. Turbulent Mixing.

Fundamentals of turbulent scalar mixing relevant to turbulent combustion. Includes governing equations, mass diffusion, scalar transport, kinematics, chaotic advection, vortex dynamics, small-scale structure of vorticity and dissipative fields, scalar dissipation rate, scaling laws for canonical flows, heat release effects, and turbulent jet flame structure.

ASE X82R. Topics in Aerodynamics.

ASE X82R.3. Hypersonic Aerodynamics.

Characteristics and assumptions of hypersonic flow; hypersonic similitude; Newtonian theory; constant density solutions.

ASE X82R.5. Advanced Computational Methods.

Development and implementation of numerical methods for solution of transport equations; computational grid generation; applications to fluid flows, including shock waves.

ASE X82R.6. Molecular Gas Dynamics.

Kinetic theory, chemical thermodynamics, statistical mechanics. Applications: equilibrium gas properties, chemical kinetics, interaction of matter with radiation, rarefied gas dynamics.

ASE X82R.7. Optical Diagnostics for Gas Flows.

Fundamentals of nonintrusive flowfield diagnostics for aerodynamics and combustion. Basics of lasers and optical detectors; interferometric methods; Rayleigh, Raman, and Mie scattering; absorption spectroscopy; laser-induced fluorescence.

ASE X84P. Topics in Structural and Solid Mechanics.

ASE X84P.1. Solid Mechanics I.

Mathematical description of stress, deformation, and constitutive equations of solid mechanics; boundary value problems of elasticity.

ASE X84P.11. Mechanics of Composite Materials.

Constitutive equations; micromechanical and macromechanical behavior of lamina; strength and stiffness in tension and compression, theory of laminated plates; strength of laminates; delamination.

ASE X84P.13. Rotary Wing Aircraft.

Discuss the aerodynamics of rotors; typical helicopter rotor hubs and their operation; rotor forces and aircraft trim; rotary-wing aircraft performance; and rotating blade dynamics.

ASE X84P.2. Solid Mechanics II.

Continuation of Engineering Mechanics 388. Additional topics in elasticity, plasticity, viscoelasticity, variational methods, and other areas of solid mechanics.

ASE X84P.3. Structural Dynamics.

Free and forced vibration of single-degree-of-freedom, multiple-degree-of-freedom, and continuous systems. Lagrange's equations and Hamilton's principle; discretization of continuous systems; numerical methods for response and algebraic eigenvalue problems.

ASE X84P.4. Finite Element Methods.

Derivation and implementation of the finite element method; basic coding techniques; application to problems of stress and diffusion.

ASE X84P.6. Advanced Structural Dynamics.

Analysis of complex flexible systems; discretization of complex structures by the finite element method; advanced computational methods for large finite element models.

ASE X84P.8. Selected Topics in Aeroelasticity.

Classical and contemporary topics in aeroelasticity; general introduction to aeroelastic phenomena, including flutter, divergence, control reversal, and flexibility effects on stability and control; aeroelastic tailoring; active control concepts; unsteady aerodynamic theories for lifting surfaces and bodies; aeroelastic system identification, including nonlinear systems (theory and laboratory applications).

ASE X87P. Topics in Flight Mechanics, Guidance, Navigation, and Control.

ASE X87P.2. Mission Analysis and Design.

Mission design and mission constraints, launch windows; rendezvous analysis; orbital design interactions with thermal and structural analysis; design of a typical mission.

ASE X87P.6. Optimal Spacecraft Trajectories.

Optimal control of spacecraft; primer vector theory; impulsive maneuvers; finite burn high/low thrust maneuvers; solar sails; numerical methods; applications to contemporary trajectory problems using single or multiple spacecraft.

ASE X87P.7. Sensors and Actuators.

Students use LabVIEW to study aerospace devices such as inertial navigation systems, control-moment gyroscopes, optical navigation systems, torque coils and magnetometers, robots, and integrated satellites.

ASE X87P.8. Aerial Robotics.

ASE X88P. Topics in Celestial Mechanics.

ASE X88P.2. Celestial Mechanics I.

N-body problem; three-body problem; restricted three-body problem; Jacobian integral; zero-velocity curves; equilibrium points; stability; linearized solutions; variational equations; periodic orbits; the two-body problem; variation of parameters; Lagrange's planetary equations; applications to near-earth and deep-space trajectories; numerical methods.

ASE X88P.3. Celestial Mechanics II.

Hamiltonian mechanics; dynamical systems; canonical transformations; invariant manifolds; Poincare surfaces of section; applications to restricted n-body problems; applications to sun-earth-moon or sun-planet-moon particle trajectory problems.

ASE X89. Topics in Aerospace Engineering.

ASE X89P. Topics in Satellite Applications.

ASE X89P.1. Determination of Time.

Concepts of time; fundamental reference system; polar motion; practical methods in time determination and dissemination; historical and present-day time scales; atomic clocks; time transfer via satellite.

ASE X89P.10. Fundamentals and Geophysical Application of Imaging Radar Systems.

Exploration of how radar images are formed and manipulated, as well as applications of the systems to problems such as measurement of the Earth crustal deformation. Focus on radar as a signal processing problem, radar image formation, polarimetric radars, and radar interferometry. Subjects include system design, scattering from natural surfaces, range and azimuth processing algorithms, and processor design.

ASE X89P.11. Advanced Satellite Geodesy.

Examine kinematics and dynamics of displacement and Earth orientation. Investigate the determination of time and reference frames. Explore deformations of the Earth due to tides and mass loading. Study modern space geodetic applications.

ASE X89P.12. Orbital Debris.

Discuss the orbital debris environment, space situational awareness, and space traffic management. Explore orbit determination, multiple-target tracking, uncertainty propagation, risk assessment, and evolution of the existing debris field.

ASE X89P.13. 3D Remote Sensing Analytics and Applications.

ASE X89P.14. Low Earth Orbit for Earth Observation.

ASE X89P.15. Satellite System Signal Processing.

Discuss fundamental theory and algorithms related to acquiring and processing radio signals from constellations of satellites for navigation and communication. Examine software-defined radio fundamentals, carrier and code tracking loops, and the effects of the space-to-earth communications channel.

ASE X89P.16. Computational Methods.

Examine basics of vectors and matrices, linear equations, regression and classification, similarity measures, the Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT), linear filters, and power spectrum estimates. Focus on applying matrix methods to practical applications, such as tomography, image processing, data fitting, time series prediction, optimal control, finance, and machine learning. Utilize MATLAB or Python to do computations with vectors and matrices and run numerical experiments with real-world data sets.

ASE X89P.2. Satellite Geodesy.

Explore theory of the gravitational potential, including its time-variations; spherical harmonics and other representations; space-based remote sensing of the geopotential and its gradients; mass flux variability and its applications.

ASE X89P.4. Methods in Orbit Determination.

Variational methods of the orbit determination, Orbit parameter estimation, satellite tracking techniques and observables, modern precision orbit determination.

ASE X89P.8. Satellite Control Systems.

Spacecraft equations of motion; linearization and stability, classical control methods; digital and sampled data systems; multivariable control; attitude determination and control; momentum management; coupled modes; and case studies in satellite control.

ASE X89P.9. Synthetic Aperture Radar: Principles and Applications.

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imaging for Earth remote sensing, including image formation concepts and interpretation, radar interferometry processing and strategies, surface deformation, topographic mapping, and polarimetric applications.

ASE X97. Graduate Seminar.

Student, faculty, and visitor presentations of current research topics.

ASE X97R. Research in Aerospace Engineering.

ASE X98. Thesis.

ASE X98R. Master's Report.

Preparation of a report to fulfill the requirement for the master's degree under the report option.

ASE X98T. Supervised Teaching in Aerospace Engineering.

Teaching methods and objectives, criteria for evaluating teaching effectiveness, procedural rules and regulations, laboratory teaching.