MAE3405 Aerospace propulsion
Faculty of Engineering
MAE3405 Aerospace propulsion is a level 3, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Engineering, offered in 2027 in Semester 2 at Clayton. It needs (MMA2003 or MAE2404) and (MAE3001 or MAE2402) and unlocks 1 unit.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2027
- Semester 2
- Clayton
- Assessment
- Exam 60%
- and 3 other tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
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Requisites
Before MAE3405
Prerequisites
Pass these before you enrol.
After MAE3405
1 unit list MAE3405 as a prerequisite or corequisite.
Overview
This unit builds on concepts in MAE3401 and relates aircraft and rocket engines to the laws of thermodynamics, various fuel-air power cycles, their real behaviour plus fuel and combustion chemistry. The efficiency and performance of aircraft engines based on electric, piston and gas turbine platforms are examined along with rotor and propeller design for subsonic speed. For jets and turbofan engines, nozzle design for transonic to supersonic speed is covered, as are supersonic engines. The unit concludes with an introduction to rocket motors and their design and performance for both atmospheric and space flight.
Offerings in 2027
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Second semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- AssignmentsWrittenThreshold hurdle30%
- Lab reportWrittenThreshold hurdle5%
- QuizzesQuiz / TestThreshold hurdle5%
- Final assessmentExaminationThreshold hurdle60%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Analyse various fuel-air power cycles and electric power plants used in propulsion systems through the application of thermodynamic principles to develop an understanding of their performance and efficiency.
- 2
Assess the energy sources and fuels used in propulsion systems through simple chemistry and thermodynamic calculations to determine fuelling requirements and emissions.
- 3
Discuss the differences between real aircraft combustion engines and their fuel-air analogues to develop an understanding of the capabilities and limitations of the various analytical approaches.
- 4
Demonstrate critical understanding of propeller and rotor design through the application of momentum and blade element theories.
- 5
Evaluate the thermodynamic performance of intakes and nozzles under subsonic and supersonic conditions to develop an understanding of changing design requirements across various flight regimes.
- 6
Simulate the performance of chemical and electric propulsion systems for spacecraft through basic rocketry calculations.
Workload and teaching
- Practical activities24 hours
- Workshops24 hours
- Teaching approachProblem-based learning
- Teaching approachCase-based teaching
- Teaching approachActive learning
The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of 3-6 hours of scheduled learning activities and 6-9 hours independent study per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher-directed learning, peer-directed learning and online engagement. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities.
Learning resources
Required resources
Bring Your Own Device (Laptop or Tablet)
Where it fits
MAE3405 is part of 1 area of study in the 2027 handbook.
Contacts
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Daniel Duke
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Daniel Duke
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for MAE3405?
You need (MMA2003 or MAE2404) and (MAE3001 or MAE2402) before you enrol.
What can I take after MAE3405?
MAE3405 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 1 unit, including MAE4416.
When is MAE3405 offered?
In 2027, MAE3405 runs in Semester 2 at Clayton.
How much work is MAE3405?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does MAE3405 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 60% of the final mark, alongside 3 other tasks.
Which majors and minors include MAE3405?
MAE3405 is part of Aerospace engineering.