MIT OpenCourseWare: New Courses in Aeronautics and Astronautics

16.230J Plates and Shells (MIT)

Wierzbicki, Tomasz — 2008-09-04T12:27:00-04:00

This course explores the following topics: derivation of elastic and plastic stress-strain relations for plate and shell elements; the bending and buckling of rectangular plates; nonlinear geometric effects; post-buckling and ultimate strength of cold formed sections and typical stiffened panels used in naval architecture; the general theory of elastic shells and axisymmetric shells; buckling, crushing and bending strength of cylindrical shells with application to offshore structures; and the application to crashworthiness of vehicles and explosive and impact loading of structures. The class is taught during first half of term.

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Kate James — 2008-08-25T11:59:59-04:00

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16.89J Space Systems Engineering
16.31 Feedback Control Systems
16.682 Prototyping Avionics

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16.89J Space Systems Engineering (MIT)

Crawley, Edward — 2008-07-17T04:06:15-04:00

In 16.89/ESD.352 the students will first be asked to understand the key challenges in designing ground and space telescopes, the stakeholder structure and value flows, and the particular pros and cons of the proposed project. The first half of the class will concentrate on performing a thorough architectural analysis of the key astrophysical, engineering, human, budgetary and broader policy issues that are involved in this decision. This will require the students to carry out a qualitative and quantitative conceptual study during the first half of the semester and recommend a small set of promising architectures for further study at the Preliminary Design Review (PDR). Both lunar surface telescopes as well as orbital locations should be considered. The second half of the class will then pick 1-2 of the top-rated architectures for a lunar telescope facility and develop the concept in more detail and present the detailed design at the Critical Design Review (CDR). This should not only sketch out the science program, telescope architecture and design, but also the stakeholder relationships, a rough estimate of budget and timeline, and also clarify the role that human explorers could or should play during both deployment and servicing/operations of such a facility (if any).

16.31 Feedback Control Systems (MIT)

How, Jonathan — 2008-06-18T03:28:12-04:00

Introduction to the state-space approach to control system analysis and control synthesis. State-space representation of dynamic systems; controllability and observability; state-space realizations of transfer functions; and canonical forms. Design of controllers using state-space methods, including pole placement and optimal control methods. Introduction to the Kalman filter. Limitations on performance of control systems from classical and state-space perspectives. Introduction to robustness of multivariable control systems, using frequency domain techniques.