Propulsion, Aerodynamics and Combustion
Air-Breathing Propulsion and Combustion Science
Fundamental and advanced courses are offered in fluid mechanics, combustion, and turbulent mixing. A graduate laboratory class is offered in optical measurement techniques in gas dynamics. Applied propulsion classes include Rocket Propulsion and Turbojet Propulsion. Research covers the areas of laser-based flow visualization, velocity field imaging, spray combustion, supersonic mixing, hydrogen combustion in a scramjet-like device, and soot formation.
Space Propulsion
Classes are offered in the areas of electric propulsion, space plasma physics, kinetic theory of rarefied gases, and the space environment. Ion thruster experiments employ spectroscopic methods in one of the most advanced university facilities.
Aerodynamics and Turbulence
Courses cover basic and advanced wing theory, boundary layers and aerodynamic drag, compressible high-speed flows, effects of turbulence on drag and mixing, and a graduate-level laboratory. Research projects utilize advanced flow field measurement techniques to study the fundamental nature of turbulent mixing and employ MEMS devices to control turbulence and aerodynamics.
Computational Fluid Dynamics of Transonic and Hypersonic Vehicles
Classes provide in-depth development of numerical algorithms. Research projects use these algorithms to model hypersonic re-entry, delta wings, solar wind on space vehicles, shock buffeting of transonic vehicles, and aeroacoustics.
Structural Mechanics
Advanced Materials for Airframe Applications
Courses are offered in structural and solid mechanics that emphasize the basic knowledge required to address several contemporary topics in the design and analysis of aircraft and spacecraft structures. Areas of research include composite materials, composite structures, fracture mechanics, design of composite microstructures and novel instrumentation for probing materials.
Adaptive Materials and Constitutive Modeling for Aerospace Structures
Advanced courses are offered that address structural and material instabilities found in aerospace structures and in advanced materials. Research includes theoretical and experimental studies of adaptive materials, such as shape memory alloys, and their application to smart structures.
Aeroelasticity, Structural Dynamics, Optimal Design of Structures
Courses focus on structural dynamics and aeroelasticity of fixed wing and rotary wing vehicles including finite element computations for optimal structural design. Research includes aeroelasticity and aeroservoelasticity of rotary- and fixed-wing vehicles. Optimal structural design of aerospace vehicles with multi-disciplinary constraints is pursued.
Flight Dynamics and Control
Dynamics and Control of Aircraft
Performance, dynamics, and automatic control of atmospheric flight vehicles are core subjects. Performance measures for steady level flight, steady climbing flight, and steady turning flight are developed in several courses. Mathematical models are developed for aircraft and used to study longitudinal and lateral flight dynamics. Automatic control methods are combined with avionics and software to achieve improved flight stability and maneuverability.
Dynamics and Control of Spacecraft
Mathematical models form the basis for analysis of spacecraft orbital dynamics and spacecraft attitude dynamics. Orbit models are based on two-body and restricted three-body assumptions. Attitude models are based on rigid body assumptions, including gravity gradient effects. Automatic control methods are applied to achieve orbital corrections and attitude stabilization.
Astrodynamics
Astrodynamics, guidance, and navigation treat problems related to orbits of natural and human-made bodies. Astrodynamics covers the mathematical foundations of orbital mechanics, including orbital characteristics and orbit transfers. Navigation is concerned with the use of sensors and avionics to estimate orbital position and orbital velocity.
Aerospace Vehicles
This area focuses on courses that deal with the behavior of the entire vehicle, such as aircraft, helicopters and spacecraft. Several courses emphasize large-scale system integration and multidisciplinary design aspects, including flight software, that play a key role in the development of modern aerospace vehicles.
Back to the top of the page.
Last edited on 04/09/2008
