Better Worlds II:

Space Systems Engineering

Fundamentals, Technologies, and Projects for the 21st Century

Table of Contents

Photograph from the space shuttle Atlantis (STS-135) in its final fly-around of the International Space Station in July 19, 2011. Shows the ISS, Earth and moon.

Part 0: Introduction

 

Part 1: Science and Engineering Fundamentals

1. Basic Sciences - Physics: Units, Motion, Forces || page 2: Energy, Mechanics, Thermodynamics || page 3: Astronomy, Planetary Science, Chemistry
2. Orbital Mechanics - Orbits, Velocity Map, Powered Flight, Mass Ratio, Staging
3. Propulsive Forces - Reaction from Expelled Material, External Interaction
4. Energy Sources - Mechanical, Chemical, Thermal, Electrical, Beam, Nuclear, Matter Conversion
5. Systems Engineering - In General, Life Cycle, Requirements || page 2: Functional Analysis, Allocation, Modeling, Optimization and Trade Studies, Synthesis, Work Breakdown Structure, Elements by Type
6. Engineering Tools - Data, Computer Hardware, Computer Software
7. Engineering Specialties - Aerospace, Other Specialties
8. Organization and Economics - Organization, Funding, Financial Analysis
9. Existing Programs - Government || page 2: Government (cont.), Commercial, Not-for-Profit
10. Future Projects - Transport, Exploration, Mining, Industrial Capacity, Manufactured Items, Energy, Engineered Environments, Communication, Entertainment

Part 2: Transport Technologies

1. Structural Methods - Static, Dynamic
2. Guns and Accelerators - Mechanical, Artillery || page 2: Light Gas, Electric
3. Combustion Engines - Air Breathing, Internally Fueled (Rockets)
4. Thermal Engines - Electro-thermal, Photo-thermal, Nuclear-thermal
5. Bulk Matter Engines - Rotary, Coilgun, Railgun
6. Ion and Plasma Engines - Ion, Arcjet, Plasma
7. High Energy Particle Engines - Particle Rockets, External Particle Interaction
8. Photon Engines - Photon Sails, Photon Rockets, Photon Gun
9. External Interaction Methods - Magnetic, Gravity, Aerodynamic, Mechanical
10. Theoretical Methods - not currently supported by established physics
11. Comparisons Among Methods - Performance, Status, Cost

Part 3: Engineering Technologies

1. Design Factors - Technology, Availability, Physical, Integration, Human, Environment
2. Subsystem Design
3. Resources - Exploration Methods || page 2 - Resource Inventory
4. Resource Extraction - Mining: Solid, Atmospheres, Liquids, Gas Giants, Particulates, Stars || Energy: Solar, Fission, Fusion, Orbital
5. Processing and Fabrication - Production Control, Handling and Storage, Materials Processing, Parts Production
6. Assembly and Construction - Assembly, Construction, Outfitting
7. Verification and Test
8. Operation and Maintenance - Operations Concepts, Tasks, Maintenance Concepts, Tasks
9. Recycling Methods - Waste Recycling, Closed Loop Life Support

Part 4: Projects and Programs

1. Program Overview - Goals, Summary, Structure
2. Phase 0 - Research & Development - Planning, Process, Sub-Phases & Tasks
3. Phases 1 to 3 For Earth - Locations: Starter, Network, Distributed, Industrial, Difficult, Extreme
4. Phase 2B: Industrial Locations for Space - Survey, Drivers, Concept, Details || page 2 - Hypervelocity Launcher
5. Phase 4A: Low Orbit Development - Features, Projects || page 2: Orbital Assembly
6. Phase 4B: High Orbit Development - Features, Industries, Drivers, Projects, Integration, Details
7. Phase 4C: Inner Interplanetary Development - System Concept, High Orbit Skyhook, Inclination Station, Transfer Habitats
8. Phases 4D-F: - Main Belt & Trojan, Outer Interplanetary, Scattered, Hills, & Oort
9. Phase 5A: Lunar Development - Features, Industry Survey, Drivers, Projects || page2 - Projects (cont.)
10. Phase 5B: Mars Development - Near Term: Phobos and Deimos, Mars Skyhooks, Mars Surface Systems || Long Term Development: Magnetosphere, Greenhouses, Full Atmosphere
11. Phases 5C-E - Venus & Mercury, Jupiter System, Outer Gas Giants
12. Phase 6: Interstellar Development - Nearby Interstellar, Nearby Exostellar, Farther Interstellar
13. Orbital Mining - Rationale, Mining Steps || page 2 - Ore Types, Example Missions, Design
14. Processing Factory - Outputs, Process Research and Development, Factory Design
15. Spaceport Network - Concept, Applications, Design Parameters, Design Components, Design Issues

Part 5: Design Studies

1. Conceptual Design for Human Expansion - Goals and Benefits || page 2: Conceptual Design Approach || page 3: Requirements Analysis || page 4: Evaluation Criteria || page 5: Functional Analysis
2. Environment Ranges
3. Seed Factories - Conceptual designs for self-expanding automated factories (in separate wikibook).
4. Open Source Space Program

References and Sources

1. Appendix 1: Fictional Methods
2. Appendix 2: Reference Data