The course imparts the students a specialized preparation in the propulsion field extended to the most advanced or more recently introduced technologies, with particular emphasis on electric propulsion concepts and systems, and provides them with the knowledge concerning the principles of operation, the typical performance, the critical aspects and the state of development of electric thrusters for space applications needed to address the main problems of analysis, design, integration and usage.

The final exam aims at evaluating the student preparation on the topics covered by the lectures with specific reference to the following aspects: - knowledge acquisition; - critical understanding; - capability of using in a creative and constructive way the information from the course lectures to develop original solutions to an engineering problem. The student will be assessed on his/her demonstrated ability to: - illustrate the derivation from first principles of his/her solution to the given problem(s) by the introduction of the relevant simplifications and/or approximation; - justify the introduction of the simplifications and/or approximations used in the derivation; - assess and discuss the expected level of accuracy and limits of application of the proposed solution. The student must be able to illustrate the reading matter thoughtfully, clearly, synthetically, effectively and with propriety of expression.

Methods:

• Final oral exam

Further information:
The final exam consist in an interview where the student will typically be required to: – develop in writing of the solution to an original problem addressable by using the information from the course lectures in a creative and constructive way; - illustrate orally or answer questions on one or more topics of the course. Both aspects will be weighted equally (50%).

By the end of the course:

• Students will know how to apply the theoretical tools covered by the course for the analysis and preliminary design of the main types of Electric Thrusters.
• Students will be able to conduct research and analysis of sources available in the literature, as well as web searches related to the projects of their interest.
• Students will be able to present in written reports or conference papres, as well as slide presentations,the results of their activity

• During the practice sessions, a broad choice of particularly significant reference papers referring to the main course topics will be presented and discussed with the students.
• Practical activities will be carried out to search for sources through known databases.
• Students will have to prepare and present written reports documenting results of sample project activities.

• Students will acquire and/or develop awareness of the main issues involved in EP Threusters design and development.
• Students will be able to manage or understand  the responsibilities of managing or working in a project team
• Students will acquire accuracy and precision when collecting and analysing experimental data.

• During  the practice sessions, the accuracy and precision of the activities carried out will be evaluated
• During group work, the methods of assigning responsibility, management and organisation during the project phases will be evaluated
• Following seminar activities, students will be requested to submit short reports concerning the topics discussed