In the fall term for 2005, the MIT graduate course on Aircraft Systems Engineering
(16.885J) focused on a systems engineering analysis of the Space Shuttle.
This course was administrated by shuttle astronaut and MIT Professor Jeff Hoffman and
Professor Aaron Cohen, who was the Space Shuttle Orbiter Project Manager.
Guest speakers provided the majority of the content in video lectures, discussing topics
such as system design, accident investigation, and the future of NASA's space mission.
The guest speakers were intimately involved with the Shuttle and know their stuff.
There aren't many universities except the likes of MIT where you get a lecture by a Space Shuttle test pilot.
Where else but MIT would you get
Chris Kraft coming and giving you a lecture on Mission Control?
That course including 22 video lectures averaging 110 minutes each are available
online for free as part of the MIT OpenCourseWare program.
The lectures are -
Lecture 1: The Origins of the Space Shuttle
Lecture 2: Space Shuttle History
Lecture 3: Orbiter Sub-System Design
Lecture 4: The Decision to Build the Shuttle
Lecture 5: Orbiter Structure + Thermal Protection System
Lecture 6: Propulsion - Space Shuttle Main Engines
Lecture 7: Aerodynamics - (From Sub - to Hypersonic and Back)
Lecture 8: Landing and Mechanical Systems
Lecture 9: OMS, RCS, Fuel Cells, Auxiliary Power Unit and Hydraulic Systems
Lecture 10: The DoD and the Space Shuttle
Lecture 11: Use of Subsystems as a Function of Flight Phase
Lecture 12: Aerothermodynamics
Lecture 13: Environmental Control Systems
Lecture 14: Ground Operations - Launching the Shuttle
Lecture 15: Space Shuttle Accidents
Lecture 16: Guidance, Navigation and Control
Lecture 17: Mission Control 1
Lecture 18: Mission Control 2
Lecture 19: Design Process as it Relates to the Shuttle
Lecture 20: EVA and Robotics on the Shuttle
Lecture 21: Systems Engineering for Space Shuttle Payloads
Lecture 22: Test Flying the Space Shuttle
Course home page here -
http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/aeronauti...ing-fall-2005/
Links to YouTube video lectures here -
http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/aeronauti...ideo-lectures/
Postscript
MIT offers some great free lectures as part of the OpenCourseWare program.
For example, I highly recommend 7.012 Introduction to Biology.
The lecturers include Prof Eric Lander - a mathematician turned biologist and one
of the leaders that was involved in the effort to sequence and decode the human
genome and Prof Robert Weinberg - a National Medal of Science winner and leading
expert on cancer. Want to know about DNA, RNA, genes, molecular biology and
cell function? Well, these guys are just not some of the world's experts, they know
how to explain it in an exciting way to first year students who aren't even majoring
in biology. A wonderful insight into how evolutionary forces shape life on Earth
starting at a molecular level. It's one big
Rube Goldberg machine down there so hang on for the ride!
Home page -
http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/biology/7...ogy-fall-2004/
Video lectures -
http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/biology/7...ideo-lectures/
