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151-0204-00L 4 Credits MSC D-MAVT , D-PHYS , D-ERDW , D-ITET

Aerospace Propulsion

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Reza S. Abhari, Dr. Vahid Iranidokht
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:07:54

Abstract

An introduction of working principals and design of air-breathing engines as well as rocket propulsion are presented. Key elements of the propulsion system as well as the design choices for the engineering of various components are examined. This course will be offered for the last time in the Autumn Semester 2026

Objective

Introduction of working principals and design of aircraft engines and the related background in aero- and thermodynamics. Engineering aspects of the component designs are examined.

Content

This course focuses on the fundamental concepts as well as the applied technologies for aerospace application, with a primary focus related to aviation. The systematic evolution of the aircraft propulsion engines, from turbojet to the modern high bypass ratio turbofan, including the operational limitations, are examined. Following the system analysis, the aero/thermo design of each component, including the inlet, fan, compressor, combustors, turbines and exhaust nozzles are presented. The mechanical and material limitations, as well as design choices related to manufacturing and operability of engines are also presented. The environmental aspects of propulsion (noise and emissions) are also presented. In the last part of the course, a basic introduction to the fundamentals of space propulsion is also presented.

Resources

Lecture Notes

Lecture notes will be distributed. Additional explanations will be provided to augment the learning during the lectures. There will be NO recording of the lectures, nor the exercise sessions. Physical attendance in this course is very important and students who can not attend most of the lectures are highly recommended to take another course instead.

Literature

Aircraft Engines and Gas Turbines, second edition By Jack L. Kerrebrock

General Information

Language
English
Levels
MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
session examination
Mode
oral 30 minutes
This course will be offered for the last time in the Autumn Semester 2026. The examination can be taken/repeated for the last time in the Summer Session 2027.

Registration & Places

Max Places
40

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture Aerospace Propulsion
This course will be offered for the last time in the Autumn Semester 2026.
No time listed 2 h weekly
exercise Aerospace Propulsion
This course will be offered for the last time in the Autumn Semester 2026.
No time listed 1 h weekly

Offered In

  • Mechanical Engineering Master
    • Core Courses (The Core Courses in the Master’s program Mechanical Engineering listed below are indicative and include courses designed by the Department at the Master's level. With the approval of the tutor, students may also select Master's-level courses offered by other departments at ETH. These courses will be marked as non-regular in the LAG, but their categorization as Core Courses is possible if included in the approved LAG.)
  • Space Systems Master