SPACETRC / OPEN LEARNING LAB
Space Engineering Foundations
Connect orbits, energy, mass and testable requirements.
A lesson is recorded as practised when its answer is correct and you have written a reflection of at least 20 characters. This checks participation and basic understanding; it is not a qualification or accredited certificate.
Before you begin 3 questions
LEARNING OBJECTIVE
Model a circular orbit
Distinguish altitude from distance to the centre.
In a circular two-body model, speed depends on distance from the centre. Use radius, rather than altitude above the surface, in the equation.
This model omits drag, Earth’s oblateness and manoeuvres. An educational calculation is not a mission position.
r = R + h; v = √(μ/r)With R = 6,378.137 km, h = 400 km and μ = 398,600.4418 km³/s², r = R+h and v is about 7.67 km/s.
LEARNING OBJECTIVE
Build an energy budget
Calculate the difference between power and energy.
Power is the rate of energy use. A mission budget separates loads and operating durations into individual rows.
Our simple budget assumes constant power. Battery efficiency, temperature, ageing and engineering qualification are outside this calculation.
E(Wh) = P(W) × t(h)A 5 W instrument operated for 2 hours uses 10 Wh. Operating it for 20 minutes uses about 1.67 Wh.
LEARNING OBJECTIVE
Examine mass ratio
Distinguish ideal delta-v from real flight.
In the ideal rocket equation, initial-to-final mass ratio appears inside a logarithm. With specific impulse in seconds and standard gravity in m/s², delta-v is in m/s.
This relationship omits drag and gravity losses. It does not by itself qualify a vehicle for flight.
Δv = Isp · g0 · ln(m0/mf)For Isp = 300 s, g0 = 9.80665 m/s² and m0/mf = 2, ideal Δv is approximately 2,039 m/s.
LEARNING OBJECTIVE
Write a testable requirement
Connect a success criterion to a measurement and test.
Stating what must be achieved, under which conditions and by which method makes a design goal easier to inspect.
This exercise uses a simple sensor mission. Testing a requirement and assessing fitness for intended use address different questions.
Gereksinim + koşul + ölçüt + yöntem / Requirement + condition + criterion + methodInstead of “collect good data”, write: “The model sensor shall produce 60 timestamped samples during a 10-minute teaching trial; verify by counting output rows.”
Check your learning 3 questions
The same short self-check before and after practice helps you review what changed. It does not measure expertise independently.
Turn practice into a research report.
Write a question, record your inputs, compare results and discuss uncertainty.
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