Alaska Space Grant Program

Higher Education Programs

The primary aerospace emphasis at UAF was initially associated with the space physics and atmospheric science research programs conducted at the Geophysical Institute, together with the special capabilities provided by the Alaska SAR Facility and the Poker Flat Research Range. From the outset, the ASGP strategic plan for higher education has been to complement the existing strengths at the Geophysical Institute by enhancing aerospace education in other branches at UAF through small grants for curriculum development and a block grant for the Alaska Student Rocket Project.

 

Each year, ASGP issues an Request for proprosals for small curriculum development grants. These grants represent a small but important incentive to encourage UAF faculty to focus departmental resources toward courses that will enhance aerospace education in Alaska.

ME 452 - Introduction to Astrodynamics

Geometry of the solar system, detailed analysis of two-body dynamics and introduction to artificial satellite orbits; Homann transfer and patched conic for lunar and interplanetary trajectories.  Elements of orbit determination.

ME 453 - Propulsion Systems - Basic principles of propulsion

turbojet, turboprop and rocket engineers.  Fluid mechanics and thermodynamics of flow in nozzles, compressors, combustors and turbines.  Liquid and solid propellant rockets.  Heat transfer in rocket motors and nozzles.  Design and testing methods for components of propulsion systems. Summer Aerospace Design Workshop - offered as credit during the summers in conjunction with the Student Rocket Project - hands-on design course which is intimately associated with the Student Rocket Project. The course consisted of 10-15 hours of lecture combined with supervision of student design activities.

CS 493 - Software Engineering Methods for Aerospace Applications

Software development as an aerospace engineering discipline.  Coverage of the classical software engineering topics:  requirement analysis, software project planning, design fundamentals and methods, programming languages and coding, quality assurance, testing techniques, maintenance and configuration management. Journalism and Broadcasting Department - Students in three different journalism courses worked together to produce Alaska Space Ventures Magazine using an ASGP grant to cover publication costs. The magazine, which was mailed to 7th and 8th grade students throughout Alaska, was intended to inspire them to study science and engineering by informing them of the exciting space-related activities that are occurring within Alaska.

 

Alaska Student Rocket Project

Design of Static Test Stand for Rocket Motor

A static test stand has been designed by a University of Alaska Fairbanks professor and students to test solid propellant rocket motors at the Poker Flat Research Range, owned by the University of Alaska Fairbanks.  The stand is designed to handle motors with thrust levels up to 88.960 N (22,000 lbf).  This thrust level will permit testing of rocket motors that the UA Navy has agreed to donate to Poker Flat for training students and faculty in aerospace research.  The Student Rocket Project team, faculty and other researchers can use this stand to test sounding rocket motors.  These sounding rocket missions are for scientific investigations of the geophysical phenomena in the atmosphere at high latitudes.

 

 

 

Aerospace Design Competitions

NASA Means Business Student Competition 2006

Proposals Due: January 19, 2006

The NASA Means Business Student Competition is a chance for students to help shape public relations strategies for the Nasa Mission to Mars, the recently announced 20-year Mars Exploration Program. Students of all disciplines are encouraged to form teams providing a plan outlining how to accomplish this. Six teams will receive cash awards of $1,000, travel grants to the Johnson Space Center for the conference, and recognition for their contributions to NASA's plans to explore the Red Planet. In addition, an overall "Grand Prize" Recipient will be selected and announced at the Conference.