2026 (Current Year) Faculty Courses School of Engineering Undergraduate major in Mechanical Engineering
Advanced Space Engineering
- Academic unit or major
- Undergraduate major in Mechanical Engineering
- Instructor(s)
- Hiroki Nakanishi / Toshihiro Chujo / Satomi Kawamoto / Satoru Ozawa / Yasutaka Satou / Masaharu Uchiumi / Yuto Takei
- Class Format
- Lecture (Blended)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - unknown
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- MEC.M333
- Number of credits
- 200
- Course offered
- 2026
- Offered quarter
- 4Q
- Syllabus updated
- Aug 20, 2026
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
A large-scale integrated system consisting of spacecraft (satellite, probe, and space station), rocket, ground systems, and communication network is required for space development including space utilization and space exploration. The scope of this course is to show element, system, and mission technologies and engineering management methodologies (systems engineering, project management, and safety and mission assurance) required for development and operations of those space systems, with a particular emphasis on spacecraft. (The course includes control engineering, structural mechanics, electrical engineering, and communication engineering.)
Course description and aims
The goal of this course is to achieve the capability of conceptual design of spacecraft system necessary for space mission.
Student learning outcomes
実務経験と講義内容との関連 (又は実践的教育内容)
In this lecture, practical knowledge on space engineering is provided by lecturers who have experiences about research and development of versatile space satellites in JAXA.
Keywords
Space Mission, Space System, Space Development, Project Management
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
- This class aims at learning 6 and 7 of learning objective.
Class flow
Faculty members having space project experiences give lectures on technologies and processes of spacecraft development.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Introduction and Overview of Spacecraft Systems |
Understand the definition, overview, and characteristics of spacecraft systems; the composition of spacecraft and mission systems; and launch systems, the space environment, and orbital mechanics. |
| Class 2 | Examples of Satellite Missions |
Examine examples of satellite missions, including communications and Earth observation satellites, their achievements, and associated technical challenges. |
| Class 3 | Orbital Analysis |
Orbital Dynamics, Perturbation, Orbit Analysis via Numerical Computation |
| Class 4 | Space Environment |
Microgravity, Atmosphere, Plasma, Geomagnetic Field, Space Radiation, Space Debris, Micrometeoroid, etc. |
| Class 5 | Rockets I — Overview and Propulsion Fundamentals |
Introduction to Rockets: Roles, Characteristics, Fundamentals of Rocket Propulsion, Vehicle Configuration and Structural Design, Testing and Development Processes |
| Class 6 | Rockets II — Rocket Engine Technologies |
Fundamentals and Configurations of Rocket Engines, Key Components: Turbopumps, Combustors, and Nozzles, Case Studies: Rocket Engines Around the World |
| Class 7 | Spacecraft Structure |
Requirement to Spacecraft Structure and its Design Example, Examples of Structural Malfunction |
| Class 8 | Spacecraft Mechanisms and Tribology |
Requirement to Spacecraft's Mechanical Components and its Design Example |
| Class 9 | Space Debris Mitigation |
Space Debris Mitigation Guideline, Protection, Collision Avoidance, etc. |
| Class 10 | On-orbit servicing |
On-orbit servicing, Space Situational Awareness, Active Debris Removal, Assembly, Refueling |
| Class 11 | Development for Exploration Mission |
Sample Return Mission and its Mechanism's Development |
| Class 12 | Spacecraft Operation Design for Exploration Mission |
Deep Space Exploration Missions and its Operations Design |
| Class 13 | Systems Engineering and Project Management for Space Missions |
Introduction to Systems, Systems Engineering (SE), and Project Management (PM) |
| Class 14 | Attitude Control System |
Requirement to Spacecraft's Attitude Control System and its Design Example |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to course materials and other references.
Textbook(s)
No textbook is assigned.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Necessary materials will be distributed during the lecture or via LMS.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Examination: 60%, Reports/Exercises: 40%
Related courses
- MEC.M231 ： Introduction to Space Engineering
- MEC.M331 ： Space Systems Engineering
- MEC.M332 ： Space Systems Design Project
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of classical dynamics, differential equation, and linear algebra is desired, but not mandatory.