Problem-based Multidisciplinary Participation in Aerospace Design

Wiaam Elkhatib; Steven Anthony Zusack; Peter J. Schubert; Brock Schaffer; Emiliya V. Akmayeva; Patrick John Proctor; Guy Nicholas Wiss

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Conference: 2016 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Publication Date: June 26, 2016
Start Date: June 26, 2016
End Date: June 29, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-692-68565-5
ISSN: 2153-5965
Conference Session: Space Side of Aerospace
Tagged Division: Aerospace
Page Count: 18
DOI: 10.18260/p.25962
Permanent URL: https://peer.asee.org/25962
Download Count: 556

Paper Authors

biography

Wiaam Elkhatib Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

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Wiaam Y. Elkhatib is a biomedical engineering student and aspiring physician-engineer at Purdue University, Indianapolis. Wiaam’s research with the Richard G. Lugar Center for Renewable Energy quantitates photovoltaic efficacy in urban environments, while as an intern through the Indiana University School of Medicine, he evaluates the musculoskeletal effects of various chronic kidney disease interventions. An avid campus educator and leader, Wiaam serves as president of both the Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS) and Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) chapters. He is also an academic success mentor who facilitates incoming university students in achieving educational fulfillment while encouraging involvement with undergraduate campus research.

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Steven Anthony Zusack Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

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Mechanical Engineering graduate. Current research includes design project of a 1G Spinning Space Station and Lunar Polar Ice Extraction for Moon Fueling Station. Aspirations of pursuing PhD in the field of Aerospace Engineering with a focus on Spacecraft Design. Currently working at NASA Johnson Space Center performing structural testing for a manned spacecraft.

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Peter J. Schubert Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

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Schubert is a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and serves as the Director of the Richard G. Lugar Center for Renewable Energy (www.lugarenergycenter.org) and the faculty advisor for Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS) at IUPUI. He holds 40 US Patents, a Professional Engineering License (Illinois), and has published over 95 technical papers and book chapters. Schubert has managed research projects from USDA, NASA, DOE, and DoD.

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BS Physics 2015 - Purdue University
BS Informatics 2010 - Indiana University

Interest areas: Aerospace engineering, human space flight, space logistics

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Guy Nicholas Wiss SEDS

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Abstract

Student Paper

This work explores the knowledge development of a diverse team of undergraduate students in pursuit of a RASC-AL engineering challenge by NASA to develop a 1-G deep space station. This habitat would need to be fully self-sufficient within five years of its initial launch and have a 20-30 year operational time span. The breadth of considerations is well-suited for a large team with a broad range of skills. Factors considered include potential fuel sources, location in space, materials, radiation hazards, purpose of construction, physiological and psychological concerns, sustainable agriculture methods, as well as an efficient rotation and docking system. Teams then collectively collaborated to present and successfully justify the most unique, practical, and cost-effective 1G space station design. Self-run by a student organization open to all majors, this design activity builds upon a multi-year history of aerospace project work. Student leadership developed a framework within which each participant can find a useful task and feel part of a larger whole. The aim of the study is to assess effective means for attracting and retaining a large, diverse team in ways which are sustainable during leadership turnover, and to reach for ever more-challenging goals. Past successes within the organization helped to attract and retain a range of interested and motivated students. Student educational outcomes were assessed both before and after the design project. Multiple choice and ranking questions with on-line surveys allow for tracking of perceptions and motivation, and identifying factors contributing to sustained involvement. Individual passions were woven into the overall design approach to provide a sense of ownership and a feeling of contribution which are hypothesized to be strongly correlated with overall success of the team. In this work the extent to which each student’s degree program is utilized is characterized, as well as their particular area(s) of interest, and compared with measures of output and contribution to the final result.

Citation
Format

Elkhatib, W., & Zusack, S. A., & Schubert, P. J., & Schaffer, B., & Akmayeva, E. V., & Proctor, P. J., & Wiss, G. N. (2016, June), Problem-based Multidisciplinary Participation in Aerospace Design Paper presented at 2016 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, New Orleans, Louisiana. 10.18260/p.25962

TY - CPAPER
AB - Student Paper

This work explores the knowledge development of a diverse team of undergraduate students in pursuit of a RASC-AL engineering challenge by NASA to develop a 1-G deep space station. This habitat would need to be fully self-sufficient within five years of its initial launch and have a 20-30 year operational time span. The breadth of considerations is well-suited for a large team with a broad range of skills. Factors considered include potential fuel sources, location in space, materials, radiation hazards, purpose of construction, physiological and psychological concerns, sustainable agriculture methods, as well as an efficient rotation and docking system. Teams then collectively collaborated to present and successfully justify the most unique, practical, and cost-effective 1G space station design. Self-run by a student organization open to all majors, this design activity builds upon a multi-year history of aerospace project work. Student leadership developed a framework within which each participant can find a useful task and feel part of a larger whole. The aim of the study is to assess effective means for attracting and retaining a large, diverse team in ways which are sustainable during leadership turnover, and to reach for ever more-challenging goals. Past successes within the organization helped to attract and retain a range of interested and motivated students. Student educational outcomes were assessed both before and after the design project. Multiple choice and ranking questions with on-line surveys allow for tracking of perceptions and motivation, and identifying factors contributing to sustained involvement. Individual passions were woven into the overall design approach to provide a sense of ownership and a feeling of contribution which are hypothesized to be strongly correlated with overall success of the team. In this work the extent to which each student’s degree program is utilized is characterized, as well as their particular area(s) of interest, and compared with measures of output and contribution to the final result.

AU - Wiaam Elkhatib
AU - Steven Anthony Zusack
AU - Peter J. Schubert
AU - Brock Schaffer
AU - Emiliya V. Akmayeva
AU - Patrick John Proctor
AU - Guy Nicholas Wiss
CY - New Orleans, Louisiana
DA - 2016/06/26
PB - ASEE Conferences
TI - Problem-based Multidisciplinary Participation in Aerospace Design
UR - https://peer.asee.org/25962
DO - 10.18260/p.25962
ER -