• Note: Up to date information about this course can be found in https://cdf.epfl.ch/en/eng411.
• Please note that this class has conditions to actually happen: we need a minimum of 8 students, and a maximun of 15 students.
• The format is 2 ECTS over the 7 first weeks of the semester (4h / afternoon)

Students are teamed up to design a space mission together, using the tools & process of Concurrent Engineering. During the course they will be at all times supported by experts from EPFL Space Center.

This is a cooperative challenge, meaning team members will share progress at the end of every day and collaborate to design a mission or system. Course ends with a final presentation of the mission/system designed by the team. By the end of the course students shall become familiar with the foundation, benefits, and application of concurrent engineering practices when applied to solving complex engineering problems.

Introduction:

• What is concurrent engineering?

• Introduction to common concurrent engineering practices and tools.

• Target mission design: mission overview, science objectives, and high-level requirements.

Practical engineering of a space mission:

• Primer on the space environment & spacecraft subsystems. Students form a team and are individually assigned to a given subsystem based on their competencies & interests. The involved disciplines include: structures & mechanisms, configuration, power, thermal, AOCS, propulsion, trajectory analysis, communication & data handling, sustainability, and systems engineering.

Concurrent & Systems Engineering techniques in action:

• Real-time concurrent engineering processes, including: mission phases & modes definition, identification & resolution of key design trade-offs; design budgets; product tree; design iterations; preliminary subsystem design; trades between subsystems.

Engineering teamwork:

• Structured, intensive collaboration within and between engineering disciplines to rapidly design, in a realistic environment with tooling. Leadership & interpersonal skills, including presentations to peers & expert review, and their impact on design process success.

concurrent engineering, concept design, systems engineering, space exploration, space system, space environment, engineering teamwork

Spacecraft design and systems engineering (EE-584)

Space mission design and operations (EE-585)

• Perform concurrent engineering
• Coordinate with other students to design a coherent space mission
• Design a spacecraft sub system and understand its impact on system design
• Create a new mission in the frame of rapid, real time collaborative design
• Negotiate sub system tradeoffs and communicate key concerns to system levels

• Write a scientific or technical report.
• Access and evaluate appropriate sources of information.
• Set objectives and design an action plan to reach those objectives.
• Plan and carry out activities in a way which makes optimal use of available time and other resources.
• Communicate effectively with professionals from other disciplines.
• Resolve conflicts in ways that are productive for the task and the people concerned.

• Given during the first 7 weeks of the semester
• Project-based learning

Attend class. Design work during intensive work sessions. Final presentation & report.

Final grade is based on those elements: a final team report and presentation, presence to and engagement during the design sessions, and team mates assessment.

Bibliography:

• "Space Mission Analysis and Design", by W. Larson and J. Wertz.

• "Spacecraft Systems Engineering", by Fortescue, Stark, Swinerd.

• EPFL Space Center's Concurrent Engineering Wiki

Ressources en bibliothèque:

• Space Mission analysis and Design / Larson

In the press:

• eSpace hosts students for Concurrent Engineering Challenge

Websites:

• https://cdf.epfl.ch/

• Find the references at the Libraryhttps://slsp-epfl.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=course_code,contains,%22ENG-411%202025-2026%22&tab=41SLSP_EPF_MyInst_and_CI&search_scope=MyInst_and_CI&vid=41SLSP_EPF:prod

• https://go.epfl.ch/ENG-411https://go.epfl.ch/ENG-411