This course was administrated by shuttle astronaut and MIT Professor Jeff Hoffman and Professor Aaron Cohen, who was the Space Shuttle Orbiter Project Manager.
16.885J offers a holistic view of the aircraft as a system, covering: basic systems engineering; cost and weight estimation; basic aircraft performance; safety and reliability; lifecycle topics; aircraft subsystems; risk analysis and management; and system realization.
Small student teams retrospectively analyze an existing aircraft covering: key design drivers and decisions; aircraft attributes and subsystems; and operational experience.
Guest speakers provide the majority of the content in video lectures, discussing topics such as system design, accident investigation, and the future of NASA’s space mission.
Guest lecturers include Aaron Cohen, Dale Myers, John Logsdon, Tom Moser, J. R. Thompson, Bass Redd, Allen Louviere, Henry Pohl, Robert Seamans, Bob Ried, Walter Guy, Robert Sieck, Sheila Widnall, Philip Hattis, Christopher Kraft, Wayne Hale, Anthony Lavoie, Peter Young, and Gordon Fullerton.
Lecture 1: The Origins of the Space Shuttle
Lecture 2: Space Shuttle History
Lecture 3: Orbiter Sub-System Design
Lecture 4: The Decision to Build the Shuttle
Lecture 5: Orbiter Structure + Thermal Protection System
Lecture 6: Propulsion – Space Shuttle Main Engines
Lecture 7: Aerodynamics – (From Sub – to Hypersonic and Back)
Lecture 8: Landing and Mechanical Systems
Lecture 9: OMS, RCS, Fuel Cells, Auxiliary Power Unit and Hydraulic Systems
Lecture 10: The DoD and the Space Shuttle
Lecture 11: Use of Subsystems as a Function of Flight Phase
Lecture 12: Aerothermodynamics
Lecture 13: Environmental Control Systems
Lecture 14: Ground Operations – Launching the Shuttle
Lecture 15: Space Shuttle Accidents
Lecture 16: Guidance, Navigation and Control
Lecture 17: Mission Control 1
Lecture 18: Mission Control 2
Lecture 19: Design Process as it Relates to the Shuttle
Lecture 20: EVA and Robotics on the Shuttle
Lecture 21: Systems Engineering for Space Shuttle Payloads
Lecture 22: Test Flying the Space Shuttle
Instructor: Jeffrey Hoffman
Price: Free