2016-17

MSc in
Astronautics and
Space Engineering
Image courtesy of NASA

www.cranfield.ac.uk
Postgraduate study
Cranfield University

MSc in
Astronautics and Space Engineering
The space sector contributes 7.5bn per annum to the UK economy alone,
and space activity across Europe and the world as a whole continues to thrive.
There is a continuing need for talented employees with a good understanding of
spacecraft systems engineering, coupled with a broad range of technical skills.
The masters course in space engineering was established at Cranfield University
in 1987 to meet the requirement of the space industry for high quality employees
with relevant skills. The course has evolved since then as needs have changed,
and we are constantly working to ensure our curriculum continues to prepare our
graduates for highly successful careers in the space sector. We liaise closely with
space companies and agencies, who actively support the course by proposing
research projects, providing important course modules and specialist guest
lectures, attending student presentations, offering feedback on course content
and, of course, by employing our graduates.

The MSc in Astronautics and Space Engineering (ASE) is suitable for graduates
in engineering, physics or mathematics, and will prepare you for a career in this
exciting field, from Earth observation to planetary exploration, launch vehicles
to spacecraft operations, and much more.

Stand out from the crowd Unique facilities

Our MSc course is highly respected around the world, and many of
our students obtain employment/research offers in the space sector
before the course finishes. At events such as the Group Design
Project industry presentation, dedicated interview days, and Alumni
Conferences, we encourage interaction between our students and
potential employers.
In most, if not all, space companies and agencies within Europe
you will find former graduates, some in very senior positions. Many
of them continue to contribute to the course, forming a valuable
network of contacts for those entering the industry.
The MSc in Astronautics and Space Engineering will equip you with
the skills required to join them in a successful career in industry or
research.
A range of facilities may be used during the taught and research
elements of the course, including:
Cleanroom used for assembly of flight-grade hardware, project
activities
Industry-standard software (including CATIA, ESATAN, Satellite
Tool Kit, NASTRAN/PATRAN)
Cubesat kit used in student hardware development projects
Cubesat satellite ground station used for demonstration and
Cubesat/High Altitude Balloon development projects
Workshops, laboratories and test equipment
Rapid prototyping milling machine and 3D printer for hardware
visualisation
Hypersonic wind tunnel for launch vehicle aerodynamic
simulations

Learning environment Focus on your interests

Cranfield University is a wholly postgraduate institution which offers
a mature and focused learning environment. This makes Cranfield
uniquely structured to maximise its alliances with industry, ensuring
our students benefit from being involved in extensive delivery of
applied research.
It has an international student body and reputation offering a rich
learning environment for a potentially global career path. As well as
attracting top level students Cranfield also attracts some of the most
proficient academic staff which combined with its industrial scale
facilities offers an exceptional learning experience.
The course is structured around three elements:
Taught lecture modules, both assessed and non-assessed,
including software training and guest lectures by industry
speakers.
Group Design Project, which involves a space mission design
study, and closely mimics a real-world space project.
Individual Research Project (MSc Thesis), which gives you a
chance to deepen your expertise in a specific subject; topics are
often proposed by industry.

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Cranfield University MSc in Astronautics and Space Engineering
 Postgraduate study
Cranfield University

Research and Careers

Research at Cranfield University

The Space Research Centre has a small team of space engineering

specialists, including Course Director Dr Jenny Kingston, a specialist
in space systems engineering and small, low-cost satellites; Dr Joan
Pau Sanchez Cuartielles, a specialist in astrodynamics; David Cullen,
Professor of Bioanalytical Technology, with extensive experience in
space biosciences; and Centre Director Dr Steve Hobbs, whose
research background is in sensor systems, Earth observation and
atmospheric science. Recent sponsors of their work include the
European Space Agency, UK research councils, and the European
Commission. The SRC has built de-orbit drag sail payloads flown on
the TechDemoSat-1 and Carbonite satellites.

MSc Group Design Project

This is a space mission design study, conducted in teams of 10-
15 students and assessed by written reports and presentations.
It emphasises space systems engineering methodologies, and is
designed to prepare our graduates for the project-based working
environment often found in space companies and agencies. The topics
chosen for the project are strongly influenced by industry; recent studies
have included asteroid sample return, a Titan exploration mission, and a
European Data Relay Satellite system.
MSc Research Thesis Project
Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) has a long history
of employing Cranfield Astronautics and Space Engineering
graduates and expects this to continue in the future. Gradu-
ates of the ASE course have proven to be well prepared for
life and work at SSTL; the broad and rounded nature of the
course, whilst still allowing some specialisation, has resulted
in Cranfield graduates being employed in various positions
in SSTL from systems engineering to operations and also
subsystem specific roles.
Andrew Bradford, SSTL Technical Director
and ASE alumnus.

The research thesis is the largest single component of the course,

and allows students to develop their specialist skills in an area of
their choice. A list of suggested topics is provided, and includes
projects proposed by SRC staff and industry.
Recent thesis topics have included:
Thermal analysis of a Google Lunar X-Prize rover
Cubesat ground station implementation
Responsive Space and Concurrent Engineering
Space suit performance during seat ingress/egress
Radar data simulation for soil moisture estimation

Your career

The MSc in ASE is specifically tailored to provide graduates with

the skills required by the space industry. As a result, our graduates
are regularly recruited by organisations including Airbus Defence &
Space, SSTL, Vega, ABSL, Tessella, OHB, and the European Space
Agency. We also arrange company visits and interview days with key
employers.
If your interests lie in research, many former students have gone on to
pursue PhDs either in Cranfield or elsewhere.
As a New Zealander, it was always going to be difficult to get
a job in the overseas space industry but thats where Cran-
field came in. The MSc in Astronautics and Space Engineer-
ing was an intense and fascinating course that gave me the
expert knowledge and training to be competitive in a highly
specialised industry. I now research and design future space
missions for Airbus Defence & Space a dream job. The
Cranfield degree has got me exactly where I wanted to go.
Lisa Peacocke,
Mission Systems Engineer, Airbus Defence & Space

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www.cranfield.ac.uk
Postgraduate study
Cranfield University

Course information
The course runs from October to September, with the key activities in the period up to April being taught lecture modules and
the Group Design Project. From April to the end of August students work full-time on their thesis project. Below is a list of typical
modules, but as this brochure is prepared up to a year in advance, please refer to the website for the latest information.

Example core modules

Space Systems Engineering
Demonstrates how to develop the design of all elements
of a space system, through logical progression from
defined user requirements.
Astrodynamics and Mission Analysis
Gives an understanding of orbital motion, orbital transfers,
interplanetary trajectories, to allow practical mission
design problems to be solved.
Space Propulsion
Provides an understanding of the thermofluid dynamic
concepts underlying rocket and air-breathing space
propulsion, and their implications on design and
performance.
Space Communications
Provides an overview of data handling on board
spacecraft, and current approaches to communications
between spacecraft and Earth.

Example optional modules (two to be chosen)

Control Systems Sensors and Data Fusion with GPS/INS
Provides knowledge of the fundamentals of control Introduces aerospace navigation systems based on
engineering for the analysis and design of control systems inertial sensors and satellite navigation, together with the
in aerospace applications. principles of sensor fusion, system integration, and error
analysis and prediction.
Spacecraft Attitude Dynamics and Control
Introduces spacecraft kinematics and dynamics, Finite Element Methods
focussing on rigid body dynamics and control of Earth- Provides an understanding of the FE method and allows
orbiting satellites. application of standard computational tools to simple
structural design problems.
Multivariable Control for Aerospace Applications
Provides knowledge of modern control techniques for the Design and Analysis of Composite Structures
analysis & design of multivariable aerospace control systems. Introduces composite materials, manufacturing
techniques and analysis methods used in aerospace
composite structures.
Non-assessed modules
Students may also attend as many of the following modules as they wish, to widen their knowledge: Modelling of Dynamic Systems,
Launch and Reentry Aerodynamics, Environmental Control and Life Support, Onboard Data Handling, Software Development,
Structural Mechanics, Space Environment, Payload Engineering and Instrumentation, Earth Observation and the Environment,
Research Skills, Introduction to Spacecraft Operations, Impact Dynamics and Spacecraft Protection, Structural Dynamics, industry
guest lectures/case studies.

Software training
Satellite Tool Kit, CATIA, Nastran/Patran, Matlab/Simulink, ESATAN.

Key facts
Entry requirements Fees
1st or 2nd class UK Honours degree or equivalent, in mathematics, Please contact the enquiries office. You can find more
physics or an engineering discipline. information at www.cranfield.ac.uk/fee-information

Methods of study
Full time or part time Contact
Duration For further details and application forms please contact the
1 year full time, 2-5 years part time Enquiries Office on:
(by research/extended thesis). Tel: +44 (0)1234 758008
Email: enquiries@cranfield.ac.uk
Start date Number of places
October 40 www.cranfield.ac.uk

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Cranfield University MSc in Astronautics and Space Engineering Date published: November 2015