THE SYLLABUS

The syllabus aims to inform incoming students about the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully undertake the educational path in Space and Astronautical Engineering, so that they can independently verify and, where appropriate, adjust their own preparation.

• Mathematics and Numerical Methods

Trigonometry: trigonometric functions, Pythagorean theorem, angle transformation formulas, Euler's formula.

Analytical Geometry: Cartesian coordinate systems, equations and curves, distances, angles, intersections of geometric objects. Tangent and normal lines to a curve. Coordinate transformations.

Mathematical Analysis: limits, continuity, differential calculus; integral calculus; sequences and series; partial and directional derivatives; vector-valued functions; definite, indefinite, and improper integrals; line integrals; multiple integrals; surface integrals; differential operators: gradient, divergence, curl; vector identities; Gauss-Green, Stokes, divergence theorems.

Linear Algebra: matrix calculus, linear systems of equations; eigenvalues and eigenvectors.

Ordinary Differential Equations: linear and nonlinear first-order equations; linear second-order equations, Euler's equations; initial value problems.

Numerical Methods: methods for determining roots of linear and nonlinear algebraic equations, quadrature methods; unconstrained optimization.

Programming Basics: any programming language (preferred: Matlab, Fortran, Mathematica).

• Chemistry

Atomic structure of matter; periodic properties of elements; intermolecular and intramolecular chemical bonds; physical and chemical reactions and associated energy contents; chemical equilibria, ionic and solubility equilibria; basics of chemical kinetics and electrochemistry; chemical foundations of corrosion.

• Physics and Analytical Mechanics

Physical quantities, units of measurement systems, and scientific method: theory of measurement, probability elements, errors.

Classical mechanics of point particles, systems of point particles, and rigid bodies: Newton's laws, cardinal equations, and conservation principles.

Macroscopic systems and principles of thermodynamics: temperature and heat, first and second law of thermodynamics.

Force fields: gravitational field and electrostatic field.

Fundamental laws of electromagnetism: Maxwell's equations.

Waves and vibrations: Oscillations and propagation of elastic and electromagnetic waves.

Analytical mechanics and Lagrange's equations.

• Materials Science

Main classes of materials, properties, analytical relationships for selection/dimensioning/treatment based on basic stress and operating conditions. Crystalline and amorphous materials; deformability, viscoelasticity, recovery and recrystallization, binary phase diagrams, solid-state diffusion. Mechanical and physical properties, metallic materials (steels, aluminum alloys, superalloys, brief mentions of titanium and magnesium alloys), correlations between microstructure, processes, and properties. Ceramics, mechanical testing, and Weibull statistics. Thermal shock. Polymeric materials and polymer matrix composites. Chemical degradation of materials, causes, and prevention. Wear degradation, coatings. Merit indices for material selection.

• Electrotechnics

Analysis of electric circuits and networks: static regime, sinusoidal periodic regime, voltage and current sources, single-phase systems, three-phase systems.

Electromechanical energy conversion. Operating principle of electrical machines: transformers, motors, generators.

Brief overview of the production, distribution, and use of electrical energy.

• Applied Mechanics and Drawing

Analysis of velocity and acceleration of planar mechanisms. Forces acting on a mechanical system and dynamic analysis. Forces exchanged in major devices for motion transmission and transformation (mechanisms, flexibles, gears, cams). Single-degree-of-freedom vibrating systems. n-degree-of-freedom vibrating systems.

Knowledge of technical drawing and related ISO regulations. Basic knowledge of solid modeling.

• Solid Mechanics

Kinematics and statics of deformable continua: descriptors of motion and deformation, descriptors of internal forces (stress), conservation laws, constitutive relationships and linear elastic solids. The Saint Venant problem. Static analysis of beam systems: load diagrams (shear, bending moment, and displacement).

• Aerodynamics:

Basic concepts of fluid dynamics: Flow equations in integral and differential form.

Incompressible irrotational flows: Kelvin and Helmholtz theorems, Bernoulli's equation, elementary solutions and superposition of solutions.

Profiles and wings: classification and characteristics of profiles, generation of lift; finite wings.

Viscous flows: laminar boundary layer on a flat plate, boundary layer separation, brief introduction to turbulence and transition.

Compressible flows: compressibility of a fluid, speed of sound. Stationary one-dimensional flows, isentropic flows, normal shocks.

• Flight Mechanics

Physical properties of the atmosphere, reference atmosphere. Fundamental concepts of atmospheric flight physics.

Basic concepts of orbital mechanics, in particular the analytical solution of the two-body problem in the trajectory plane.

• Propulsion

Fundamentals of thermochemistry. Fundamentals of heat transfer. Thermodynamic cycles: Carnot, Brayton, Diesel, Otto. Basic concepts of thrust generation and cost in jet engines.

• Structures

Stress and strain: equilibrium equations, constitutive relationships for linear elastic solids, kinematic deformation-displacement relationship, compatibility equations, state of stress and strain in planes (Airy's function).

Aeronautical structures: loading scenarios and maneuver diagrams of aircraft. General characteristics of aeronautical