Course Overview
This integrated masters degree programme is aimed at students who are fascinated by spacecraft design, systems and operation. The first two years are identical to the BEng and MEng Aeronautics and Astronautics, where you will gain a solid foundation in aerospace engineering such as aerodynamics, astronautics and propulsion along with a wider appreciation of the economic, legal and environmental issues associated with aircraft operations and aircraft performance. In the final two years of the course, the emphasis is on system design and the operation of spacecraft. This course offers great flexibility for graduates who wish to keep their options open for careers within the aerospace industry. . Spacecraft design draws on several engineering disciplines to meet specification requirements. You will be taught to design, examine and test spacecraft systems. We also teach you the principles of Concurrent Spacecraft Design and how to consider the environmental impact of designing and operating these systems. You will also take a practical short course in flight testing at Southampton International Airport, where experiments are performed on board a Jetstream aircraft. In years three and four, the emphasis is placed on the overall system design of spacecraft. You will carry out an individual project and group design project. Previous examples include the design and build of a small satellite or cubesat and a lunar hopper. In your final year, you have the option to specialise with more advanced aerospace topics or those outside the aerospace discipline.