16.522 | Spring 2015 | Graduate

Space Propulsion

Course Description

This course covers the fundamentals of rocket propulsion and discusses advanced concepts in space propulsion ranging from chemical to electrical engines. Topics include advanced mission analysis, physics and engineering of microthrusters, solid propellant rockets, electrothermal, electrostatic, and electromagnetic …
This course covers the fundamentals of rocket propulsion and discusses advanced concepts in space propulsion ranging from chemical to electrical engines. Topics include advanced mission analysis, physics and engineering of microthrusters, solid propellant rockets, electrothermal, electrostatic, and electromagnetic schemes for accelerating propellants. Additionally, satellite power systems and their relation to propulsion systems are discussed. The course includes laboratory work emphasizing the design and characterization of electric propulsion engines.
Learning Resource Types
Problem Sets
Lecture Notes
The graphic shows two cube satellites, or CubeSats, orbiting around Earth, which is shown far off in the background.
Powering cube satellites, or CubeSats, with an electric propulsion technology developed at the MIT Space Propulsion Lab. (Christine Daniloff / MIT.)