2008-2009 Catalog - United States Air Force Academy

Astro Engr 446. Space Navigation. Inertial navigation including studies of the accelerometers and gyroscopes used in strap
down platforms, system mechanization, navigation equation development and system error analysis. Non-inertial navigation
including studies of Global Positioning System (GPS), star trackers, and other position, velocity, and attitude sensors. Aided
navigation methods using least squares and optimal estimation techniques. Projects include simulation of solid state optical
gyros, and development of an aided navigation algorithm. For students enrolled in both Astro Engr 445 and Astro Engr 446 the
suggested sequence is Astro Engr 445 first, followed by Astro Engr 446.
Astro Engr 452. Rocket Engineering I. Introduces rocket systems engineering. Design, fabrication and operational testing
of aerospace vehicle systems and subsystems. Students design, build, and launch a sounding rocket with instrumented payloads
using systems engineering design techniques. Relies on analysis and synthesis tools and techniques developed previously in the
areas of structures, dynamics, propulsion, control, instrumentation, and computer simulation.
Astro Engr 453. Rocket Engineering II. A second course in rocket systems engineering.
Astro Engr 495. Special Topics. Selected topics in astronautics.
Astro Engr 499. Independent Study. Individual study and research supervised by a faculty member. Topic established with
the department head.
Astro Engr 543. Methods of Optimization for Engineers. Teaches optimization methods at graduate level. Topics include
parameter optimization, optimization for dynamic systems, optimal control and numerical solutions.
58 United States Air Force Academy Catalog