Department: Aeronautics and Astronautics

Code Name Description
AA100 Introduction to Aeronautics and Astronautics This class introduces the basics of aeronautics and astronautics through applied physics, hands-on activities, and real world examples. The principles of fluid flow, flight, and propulsion for aircraft will be illustrated, including the creation of l...
AA102 Introduction to Applied Aerodynamics This course explores the fundamentals of the behavior of aerodynamic surfaces (airfoils, wings, bodies) immersed in a fluid across all speed regimes (from subsonic to supersonic/hypersonic). We will cover airfoil theory (subsonic and supersonic), wi...
AA103 Air and Space Propulsion This course is designed to introduce the student to fundamental concepts of air-breathing and rocket propulsion including advanced concepts for space propulsion. Topics: the physical mechanisms of thrust creation and the parameters used to characteri...
AA107N How to Shoot for the Moon The new space industry has the potential to impact and sustain life on Earth and beyond. For example, emerging space technology can shape the way we design habitats, food, and spacecraft for low-Earth orbit or the Lunar surface, as well as the produc...
AA108N Surviving Space Space is dangerous. Anything we put into orbit has to survive the intense forces experienced during launch, extreme temperature changes, impacts by cosmic rays and energetic protons and electrons, as well as hits by human-made orbital debris and mete...
AA109Q Aerodynamics of Race Cars Almost as soon as cars had been invented, races of various kinds were organized. In all its forms (open-wheel, touring car, sports car, production-car, one-make, stock car, etc.), car racing is today a very popular sport with a huge media coverage an...
AA113 Aerospace Computational Science Computational methods are pervasive in analysis, design and optimization of aerospace systems. This course introduces the fundamental concepts underlying aerospace computational science. Starting from the concepts of meshes, elements and point clouds...
AA114Q Large Spacecraft Structures In space, large structures are often advantageous - large solar arrays are required for collecting solar power and allowing spacecraft to operate in deep space, large diameter telescopes allow us to explore the origins of our universe, and large ante...
AA115Q The Global Positioning System: Where on Earth are We, and What Time is It? Preference to freshmen. Why people want to know where they are: answers include cross-Pacific trips of Polynesians, missile guidance, and distraught callers. How people determine where they are: navigation technology from dead-reckoning, sextants, an...
AA116Q Electric Automobiles and Aircraft Transportation accounts for nearly one-third of American energy use and greenhouse gas emissions and three-quarters of American oil consumption. It has crucial impacts on climate change, air pollution, resource depletion, and national security. Stude...
AA118N How to Design a Space Mission: from Concept to Execution Space exploration is truly fascinating. From the space race led by governments as an outgrowth of the Cold War to the new era of space commercialization led by private companies and startups, more than 50 years have passed, characterized by great lea...
AA119N 3D Printed Aerospace Structures The demand for rapid prototyping of lightweight, complex, and low-cost structures has led the aerospace industry to leverage three-dimensional (3D) printing as a manufacturing technology. For example, the manufacture of aircraft engine components, u...
AA120Q Building Trust in Autonomy Major advances in both hardware and software have accelerated the development of autonomous systems that have the potential to bring significant benefits to society. Google, Tesla, and a host of other companies are building autonomous vehicles that c...
AA121Q It IS Rocket Science! It's an exciting time for space exploration. Companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin are launching rockets into space and bringing them back for reuse. NASA is developing the world's most powerful rocket. Startups are deploying constellations of hundre...
AA122N Dawn of the Drones: How Will Unmanned Aerial Systems Change Our World? Unmanned aerial systems (UASs) have exploded on the scene in recent years, igniting a national debate about how to use them, how to regulate them, and how to make them safe. This seminar will dive into the many engineering challenges behind the headl...
AA131 Space Flight This class is all about how to build a spacecraft. It is designed to introduce undergraduate engineering students to the engineering fundamentals of conceiving, designing, implementing, and operating satellites and other space systems. Topics include...
AA135 Introduction to Space Policy The last decade has seen dramatic developments and a rekindling of interest in space efforts. Silicon Valley has invested in a range of activities, including reusable launch services, constellations of communication and observation satellites, off-p...
AA136A Spacecraft Design Space Capstone I. Required for Aero/Astro majors. This course is focused on the design and implementation of uncrewed spacecraft with an emphasis on nano-satellites. Practical laboratory exercises will introduce students to the fundamentals of fligh...
AA136A Spacecraft Design Space Capstone I. This course is focused on the design and implementation of uncrewed spacecraft with an emphasis on nano-satellites. Practical laboratory exercises will introduce students to the fundamentals of flight software, electronics, and me...
AA136B Spacecraft Design Laboratory Space Capstone II. Continuation of AA136A. Students will work in teams to implement, test, and demonstrate their design of a spacecraft subsystem. Emphasis on manufacturing, system testing, and operations to complete a full design cycle. Prerequi...
AA136B Spacecraft Design Laboratory Space Capstone II. Continuation of AA136A/236A. Students will work in teams to implement, test, and demonstrate their design of a spacecraft subsystem. Emphasis on manufacturing, system testing, and operations to complete a full design cycle. Pre...
AA141 Atmospheric Flight From people's initial dreams and theories of flight to future design problems, this class introduces students to flight in the atmosphere and the multidisciplinary challenges of aircraft design. We will discuss how new approaches to airplane propulsi...
AA146A Aircraft Design Air Capstone I. Required for Aero/Astro majors. This capstone design class allows students to apply knowledge from prior classes in a way that emphasizes the interactions between disciplines, and demonstrates how theoretical topics are synthesized in...
AA146B Aircraft Design Laboratory Air Capstone II. Required for Aero/Astro majors. This capstone design class brings together the material from prior classes in a way that emphasizes the interactions between disciplines and demonstrates how some of the more theoretical topics are syn...
AA149 Operation of Aerospace Systems This course (intended primarily for AeroAstro undergraduate students) provides a connection with the products of aerospace design through the use of tours, guest speakers, flight simulation, and hands-on exposure to systems used by pilots and space m...
AA151 Lightweight Structures The development of lightweight structures aids in enhancing the robustness, efficiency, and cost of aerospace systems. In this course, the theoretical principles used to analyze stress-strain behavior, beam bending, torsion, and thin-walled structure...
AA156 Introduction to Mechanics of Composite Materials This course covers topics related to fiber reinforced composites focusing on the prediction of elastic properties and failure. Students will learn about the microstructure of fiber composites, how it influences material properties, and how the design...
AA160 Flying: Private Pilot Ground School This course is designed to prepare the student pilot to meet the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements (14 FAR 61.105) to take and pass (70% or greater score) the FAA Private Pilot Knowledge (written) exam. Topics include aerodynamics, a...
AA172 Guidance & Navigation Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) is an increasingly critical element of aerospace and autonomous systems from autonomous cars to commercial jets to deep space probes. Analyze how modern navigation systems work including dead reckoning (speed, di...
AA173 Flight Mechanics & Controls Aircraft flight dynamics, stability, and their control system design; frame transformations, non-linear equations of motion for aircraft; linearization of longitudinal and lateral-directional dynamics; aircraft static longitudinal and lateral/directi...
AA174A Principles of Robot Autonomy I Basic principles for endowing mobile autonomous robots with perception, planning, and decision-making capabilities. Algorithmic approaches for robot perception, localization, and simultaneous localization and mapping; control of non-linear systems, l...
AA174B Principles of Robot Autonomy II This course teaches advanced principles for endowing mobile autonomous robots with capabilities to autonomously learn new skills and to physically interact with the environment and with humans. It also provides an overview of different robot system a...
AA190 Directed Research and Writing in Aero/Astro For undergraduates. Experimental or theoretical work under faculty direction, and emphasizing development of research and communication skills. Written report(s) and letter grade required; if this is not appropriate, enroll in 199. Consult faculty in...
AA191 Practical Training For undergraduate students. Educational opportunities in high technology research and development labs in industry. Students engage in internship work and integrate that work into their academic program. Following internship work, students complete a...
AA199 Independent Study in Aero/Astro Directed reading, lab, or theoretical work for undergraduate students. Consult faculty in area of interest for appropriate topics involving one of the graduate research groups or other special projects. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: conse...
AA200 Applied Aerodynamics Analytical and numerical techniques for the aerodynamic analysis of aircraft, focusing on airfoil theory, finite wing theory, far-field and Trefftz-plane analysis, two-dimensional laminar and turbulent boundary layers in airfoil analysis, laminar-to-...
AA201A Fundamentals of Acoustics Acoustic equations for a stationary homogeneous fluid; wave equation; plane, spherical, and cylindrical waves; harmonic (monochromatic) waves; simple sound radiators; reflection and transmission of sound at interfaces between different media; multipo...
AA201B Topics in Aeroacoustics Acoustic equations for moving medium, simple sources, Kirchhoff formula, and multipole representation; radiation from moving sources; acoustic analogy approach to sound generation in compact flows; theories of Lighthill, Powell, and Mohring; acoustic...
AA203 Optimal and Learning-based Control Optimal control solution techniques for systems with known and unknown dynamics. Dynamic programming, Hamilton-Jacobi reachability, and direct and indirect methods for trajectory optimization. Introduction to model predictive control. Model-based...
AA204 Spacecraft Electric Propulsion The fundamentals of electric propulsion for spacecraft, which exists at the junction of traditional fluid dynamics, plasma physics, and aerospace engineering. The design and physics of electrothermal, electrostatic, and electromagnetic propulsion dev...
AA205 Rarefied and Ionized Gases Compressible, viscous, rarefied, and ionized gas flow models derived from kinetic theory, quantum mechanics, and statistical mechanics. Equilibrium properties and non-equilibrium processes via collisions and radiation. Monte Carlo collision models fo...
AA210A Fundamentals of Compressible Flow Topics: development of the three-dimensional, non-steady, field equations for describing the motion of a viscous, compressible fluid; differential and integral forms of the equations; constitutive equations for a compressible fluid; the entropy equat...
AA212 Advanced Feedback Control Design Analysis and design techniques for multivariable feedback systems. State-space concepts, observability, controllability, eigenvalues, eigenvectors, stability, and canonical representations. Approaches for robust feedback control design, chiefly H2, H...
AA214 Numerical Methods for Compressible Flows For M.S.-level graduate students. Covers the hierarchy of mathematical models for compressible flows. Introduction to finite difference, finite volume, and finite element methods for their computation. Ideal potential flow; transonic potential flow;...
AA216 Model Reduction Model reduction is an indispensable tool for computational-based design and optimization, statistical analysis, embedded computing, and real-time optimal control. It is also essential for scenarios where real-time simulation responses are desired. Th...
AA218 Introduction to Symmetry Analysis Methods of symmetry analysis and their use in the reduction and simplification of physical problems. Topics: dimensional analysis, phase-space analysis of autonomous systems of ordinary differential equations, use of Lie groups to reduce the order of...
AA222 Engineering Design Optimization Design of engineering systems within a formal optimization framework. This course covers the mathematical and algorithmic fundamentals of optimization, including derivative and derivative-free approaches for both linear and non-linear problems, with...
AA228 Decision Making under Uncertainty This course is designed to increase awareness and appreciation for why uncertainty matters, particularly for aerospace applications. Introduces decision making under uncertainty from a computational perspective and provides an overview of the necessa...
AA229 Advanced Topics in Sequential Decision Making Survey of recent research advances in intelligent decision making for dynamic environments from a computational perspective. Efficient algorithms for single and multiagent planning in situations where a model of the environment may or may not be know...
AA236A Spacecraft Design This course focuses on the design and implementation of spacecraft deployable structure systems. Students are introduced to the requirements driving the design of large spacecraft structures, various design approaches to realize deployable structures...
AA236B Spacecraft Design Laboratory Continuation of AA 236A. This course focuses on the design and implementation of spacecraft deployable structure systems. Students will work in teams to propose a solution for a large deployable structure for small satellites. Students will demonstra...
AA240 Analysis of Structures Analyses of solid and thin walled section beams, trusses, frames, rings, monocoque and semimonocoque structures. Determination of stresses, strains, and deformations, and failure in structures; structural stability and buckling; material behavior: pl...
AA240C Advanced Analysis of Structures Advanced Analysis of Structures
AA242A Classical Dynamics Accelerating and rotating reference frames. Kinematics of rigid body motion; Euler angles, direction cosines. D'Alembert's principle, equations of motion. Inertia properties of rigid bodies. Dynamics of coupled rigid bodies. Lagrange's equations and...
AA242B Mechanical Vibrations For M.S.-level graduate students. Covers the vibrations of discrete systems and continuous structures. Introduction to the computational dynamics of linear engineering systems. Review of analytical dynamics of discrete systems; undamped and damped...
AA244A Introduction to Plasma Physics and Engineering Physics and engineering of plasmas, including space and laboratory plasmas. Debye length and distribution functions. Single-particle motion and drifts. Plasmas as fluids and fluid drifts. Waves in plasmas, including electrostatic and electromagne...
AA244B Advanced Plasma Physics and Engineering Plasma waves and instabilities. Kinetic theory and the Vlasov equation. Nonlinear effects and solutions. Plasma diagnostics in ground- and space-based experiments. Computational plasma simulation techniques, including particle-in-cell methods, bounda...
AA246X Aircraft Design Laboratory Air Capstone II. Required for Aero/Astro majors. This capstone design class brings together the material from prior classes in a way that emphasizes the interactions between disciplines and demonstrates how some of the more theoretical topics are syn...
AA251 Introduction to the Space Environment The environment through which space probes and vehicles travel and orbit. Survey of physical phenomena in the sun, solar wind, magnetospheres, ionospheres, and upper atmospheres of objects in the solar system. Introduction to the physical processes g...
AA252 Techniques of Failure Analysis Introduction to the field of failure analysis, including fire and explosion analysis, large scale catastrophe projects, traffic accident reconstruction, aircraft accident investigation, human factors, biomechanics and accidents, design defect cases,...
AA256 Mechanics of Composites Fiber reinforced composites. Stress, strain, and strength of composite laminates and honeycomb structures. Failure modes and failure criteria. Environmental effects. Manufacturing processes. Design of composite structures. Individual design project r...
AA257 Structural Health Monitoring Structural health monitoring (SHM) is an emerging technology that provides high-resolution real-time state-sensing, awareness, and self-diagnostic capabilities of structures in service enabled by different types of sensors. SHM is a technology that i...
AA260 Sustainable Aviation Quantitative assessment of the impact of aviation on the environment including noise, local, and global emissions, and models used to predict it. Current and future technologies that may allow the air transportation system to meet anticipated growth...
AA261 Building an Aerospace Startup from the Ground Up Silicon Valley has experienced a dramatic increase in aerospace-focused, venture capital-backed companies over the last decade. This course will examine what drives success and failure in these ventures, with applicability to prospective founders, em...
AA271A Dynamics and Control of Aircraft The dynamic behavior of aircraft and spacecraft, and the design of automatic control systems for them. For aircraft: non-linear and linearized longitudinal and lateral dynamics; linearized aerodynamics; natural modes of motion; autopilot design to en...
AA272 Global Positioning Systems The principles of satellite navigation using Global Positioning Systems (GPS). Positioning techniques using code tracking, single and dual frequency, carrier aiding, and use of differential and assisted GPS/GNSS for improved accuracy and integrity. S...
AA273 State Estimation and Filtering for Robotic Perception Kalman filtering, recursive Bayesian filtering, and nonlinear filter architectures including the extended Kalman filter, particle filter, and unscented Kalman filter. Observer-based state estimation for linear and non-linear systems. Examples from...
AA274A Principles of Robot Autonomy I Basic principles for endowing mobile autonomous robots with perception, planning, and decision-making capabilities. Algorithmic approaches for robot perception, localization, and simultaneous localization and mapping; control of non-linear systems, l...
AA274B Principles of Robot Autonomy II This course teaches advanced principles for endowing mobile autonomous robots with capabilities to autonomously learn new skills and to physically interact with the environment and with humans. It also provides an overview of different robot system a...
AA275 Navigation for Autonomous Systems Navigation is a key element in many autonomous systems, from self-driving cars to flying robots. In this course you will learn about the technologies that enable autonomous navigation. Topics: navigational system design using GPS as an example; data-...
AA277 Multi-Robot Control and Distributed Optimization Survey of current research topics in multi-robot systems including multi-agent consensus, formation control, coverage control and sensor deployment, collision avoidance, cooperative mapping, and distributed Bayesian filtering. Students will develop...
AA279A Space Mechanics Orbits of near-earth satellites and interplanetary probes; relative motion in orbit; transfer and rendezvous; orbit determination; influence of earth's oblateness; sun and moon effects on earth satellites; decay of satellite orbits; invited lectures...
AA279B Advanced Space Mechanics Restricted 3-body problem. Relative motion, Hill's and Clohessy-Wiltshire equations. Lambert's problem. Satellite constellations and optimization. Communications and link budgets. Space debris. High fidelity simulation. Interplanetary mission plannin...
AA279C Spacecraft Attitude Determination and Control Attitude representation and parametrization; unperturbed and perturbed attitude dynamics and stability; attitude sensors and actuators; linear and nonlinear attitude control; optimal attitude maneuvers; dynamics of flexible spacecraft and space tethe...
AA279D Dynamics, Navigation, and Control of Distributed Space Systems Keplerian orbital mechanics and orbital perturbations; the general relative motion problem; linear formation flying dynamics and control; impulsive station-keeping and reconfiguration; high order relative motion equations; formulation of relative mot...
AA280 Smart Structures Mechanics of smart materials and current approaches for engineering smart structures to monitor health, self heal, and adapt to environment. Definition of smart structures; constitutive models for smart materials; piezoelectric ceramics; electro-act...
AA283 Aircraft and Rocket Propulsion Introduction to the design and performance of airbreathing and rocket engines. Topics: the physical parameters used to characterize propulsion system performance; gas dynamics of nozzles and inlets; cycle analysis of ramjets, turbojets, turbofans, an...
AA284A Advanced Rocket Propulsion The principles of rocket propulsion system design and analysis. Fundamental aspects of the physics and chemistry of rocket propulsion. Focus is on the design and analysis of chemical propulsion systems including liquids, solids, and hybrids. Nonchemi...
AA284B Propulsion System Design Laboratory Propulsion systems engineering through the design and operation of a sounding rocket. Students work in small teams through a full project cycle including requirements definition, performance analysis, system design, fabrication, ground and flight tes...
AA284C Propulsion System Design Laboratory Continuation of 284A,B. Prerequisite: 284B, and consent of instructor.
AA289 Robotics and Autonomous Systems Seminar Seminar talks by researchers and industry professionals on topics related to modern robotics and autonomous systems. Broadly, talks will cover robotic design, perception and navigation, planning and control, and learning for complex robotic systems....
AA290 Problems in Aero/Astro (Undergraduates register for 190 or 199.) Experimental, theoretical, or computational investigation. Students may work in any field of special interest. This course is designed to develop students' understanding of what a research problem is and the...
AA290S Problems in Aero/Astro (Undergraduates register for 190 or 199.) Experimental, theoretical, or computational investigation. Students may work in any field of special interest. This course is designed to develop students' understanding of what a research problem is and the...
AA291 Practical Training Educational opportunities in high-technology research and development labs in aerospace and related industries. Internship integrated into a student's academic program. Research report outlining work activity, problems investigated, key results, and...
AA294 Case Studies in Aircraft Design Presentations by researchers and industry professionals. Registration for credit optional. May be repeated for credit.
AA296 Plasma Science and Technology Seminar Guest speakers present research related to plasma science and engineering, ranging from fundamental plasma physics to industrial applications of plasma.
AA300 Engineer Thesis Thesis for degree of Engineer. Students register for section belonging to their thesis adviser.
AA301 Ph.D. Dissertation Prerequisite: completion of Ph.D qualifying exams. Students register for section belonging to their thesis adviser. (Staff)
AA47SI Why Go To Space? Why do we spend billions of dollars exploring space? What can modern policymakers, entrepreneurs, and industrialists do to help us achieve our goals beyond planet Earth? Whether it is the object of exploration, science, civilization, or conquest, few...
AA801 TGR Engineer Thesis Engineer's thesis or non-doctoral work for a TGR student.
AA802 TGR Ph.D. Dissertation Doctoral dissertation for a TGR student in PhD program.
AA93 Building Trust in Autonomy Preparatory course for Bing Overseas Studies summer course in Edinburgh. Prerequisite: Requires instructor consent.