1. Not trying to make everyone who
takes the course a systems
engineer, but trying to give
aerospace engineering students
a systems perspective as they
approach their capstone design
project.
Course Goal

2. The Pilot Class Students
Space Systems Engineering, Spring 2008
Department of Aerospace Engineering
The University of Texas at Austin

3. 3
Quotes from Students in Pilot Class
“It was a „big picture‟ view of what we may be involved in as engineers of
the future.”
“It is the real-world application that makes the course attractive.”
“Taking this course makes an engineer realize there is much more to
engineering than designing a given component to a set specification.
This course really teaches all the factors that go into producing a viable
space system, and some tools to achieve that end.”
“The Q&A during lecture was often the most insightful because of the
different perspectives on the topic. It was so valuable to allow the class
to interact.”
“It‟s the glue!”
“It made us think about problems beyond the right answer and the gray
area behind all decisions.”

4. One of original
pilot
students, now
in graduate
school and lead
systems
engineer for UT
Satellite Design
Lab.