16.00x Measurable Outcomes Index

This index provides the links associated to each of the measurable outcomes for the course. By clicking on a measurable outcome below, you will see the content you can use to learn about that measurable outcome and the content that we use to assess your understanding of that measurable outcome. Please note that while future content will be indexed here, some links may not work until the content has been officially released.

Unit 1: Introduction to 16.00x

MO 1.0: A student completing 16.00x will have learned about numerous topics in aerospace engineering
Learn 1.3.4 Measurable Outcomes

MO 1.1: Discuss the relationship between science and engineering, including why they are different as well as how each depends on the other
Learn 1.4.2 What is Engineering? Assess 1.4.4 Additional Resources

MO 1.2: Identify the sub-disciplines that are critical to aerospace engineering
Learn 1.4.3 What is Aerospace Engineering?

MO 1.3: Describe the basic steps of the CDIO (Conceive, Design, Implement, Operate) engineering process
Learn 1.4.3 What is Aerospace Engineering?

MO 1.4: Explain how aerospace engineering has transformed humanity’s perspective of our own planet and the solar system
Learn 1.5.1 The Scale of Things Assess 1.5.2 Additional Resources

Unit 2: Rocket Science

MO 2.1: Describe the basic principles of rocket propulsion and explain the different forces acting on a rocket

Learn 2.2.1 Basics of Rocket Propulsion 2.2.2 Newton's Laws of Motion 2.2.3 Solid Rockets 2.2.4 Liquid Rockets 2.2.6 Water Bottle Rockets 2.4.1 The Effects of Gravity and Atmospheric Drag, Part 1 2.4.2 The Effects of Gravity and Atmospheric Drag, Part 2 2.4.7 Traveling on a Rocket Assess 2.2.2 Newton's Laws of Motion 2.4.3 Interactive Simulations 2.4.4 Review of Concepts: The Effects of Gravity and Atmospheric Drag

MO 2.2: Identify the different types of rocket propulsion systems and describe the operating principles, advantages, and disadvantages of each system
Learn 2.2.3 Solid Rockets 2.2.4 Liquid Rockets 2.4.5 Other Types of Propulsion Systems Assess 2.2.5 Review of Concepts: Chemical Propulsion 2.4.6 Review of Concepts: Electric Propulsion

MO 2.3: Apply the Ideal Rocket Equation to calculate the performance of single- and multi- stage rockets
Learn 2.3.1 The Ideal Rocket Equation 2.3.2 Implications of the Rocket Equation 2.3.4 Rocket Staging Assess 2.3.3 Review of Concepts: The Ideal Rocket Equation 2.3.5 Review of Concepts: Rocket Staging 2.4.6 Review of Concepts: Electric Propulsion

MO 2.4: Explain why rocket staging is important for achieving Earth orbit
Learn 2.3.4 Rocket Staging Assess 2.3.5 Review of Concepts: Rocket Staging

MO 2.5: Describe the basic concept of a control feedback loop that keeps a rocket flying along the desired trajectory
Learn 2.5.1 Introduction to Control Theory 2.5.2 Control System Overview 2.5.3 Control System Design

MO 2.6: Explain the unique structural requirements for rockets
Learn 2.5.4 Introduction to Structural Engineering 2.5.5 Overview of Structural Engineering 2.5.6 The Role of Materials in Structural Engineering

Unit 3: Environmental Control and Life Support Systems

MO 3.1: Identify the basic requirements for humans to stay alive and healthy in space
Learn 3.2.1 Overview of ECLSS Requirements 3.2.2 Food and Personal Hygiene in Space 3.3.2 Atmospheric Pressure and Composition 3.5.3 ECLSS Onboard the ISS

MO 3.2: Define open-loop and closed-loop ECLSS and explain the key distinctions between the two modes
Learn 3.2.1 Overview of ECLSS Requirements 3.5.3 ECLSS Onboard the ISS Assess 3.6.1 Review of Concepts: ECLSS Operational Modes 3.6.2 Review of Concepts: Air Recycling Systems

MO 3.3: Explain the basic principles of thermal control in the spacecraft environment
Learn 3.3.1 Temperature and Humidity Control

MO 3.4: Describe the various ways in which oxygen can be provided for the spacecraft atmosphere
Learn 3.4.1 Oxygen Supply Assess 3.6.2 Review of Concepts: Air Recycling Systems 3.6.3 Review of Concepts: Oxygen Metabolism and Hypoxia

MO 3.5: Describe the various ways in which carbon dioxide can be removed from the spacecraft atmosphere
Learn 3.4.2 Carbon Dioxide Removal, Part 1 3.4.3 Carbon Dioxide Removal, Part 2 Assess 3.6.2 Review of Concepts: Air Recycling Systems 3.6.4 Review of Concepts: Carbon Dioxide Toxicity

MO 3.6: Describe how trace contaminants are removed from the spacecraft atmosphere
Learn 3.4.4 Trace Contaminant Removal

MO 3.7: Describe how water is purified and recycled in the spacecraft environment
Learn 3.5.1 Water Recycling 3.5.2 Water Recovery System

MO 3.8: Explain the concept of "ECLSS equivalent mass"
Learn 3.5.2 Water Recovery System

Unit 4: Orbital Mechanics

MO 4.1: Apply Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation to describe the behavior of objects in circular orbits
Learn 4.2.1 Circular Orbits 4.2.2 Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation Assess 4.2.3 Review of Concepts: Circular Orbits

MO 4.2: Describe Kepler's Three Laws of Planetary Motion and discuss their implications
Learn 4.3.1 A Historical Perspective 4.3.2 Elliptical Orbits and Kepler's First Law 4.3.3 Kepler's Second and Third Laws Assess 4.3.4 Interactive Simulation: Kepler's Laws 4.3.5 Review of Concepts: Kepler's Laws

MO 4.3: Describe the relationship between orbital size and orbital energy
Learn 4.4.1 Energy of an Orbit 4.4.2 Escape Velocity Assess 4.4.3 Review of Concepts: Orbital Energy and Escape Velocity

MO 4.4: Explain the difference in orbital energy between open and closed orbits
Learn 4.4.1 Energy of an Orbit 4.4.2 Escape Velocity Assess 4.4.3 Review of Concepts: Orbital Energy and Escape Velocity

MO 4.5: Define escape velocity and describe the relationship between the orbital velocity close to the surface of a celestial body and the escape velocity from that body
Learn 4.4.2 Escape Velocity Assess 4.4.3 Review of Concepts: Orbital Energy and Escape Velocity

MO 4.6: Describe how a Hohmann Transfer can be used to change the altitude of an orbiting spacecraft
Learn 4.5.1 Changing Orbital Altitude 4.5.2 The Hohmann Transfer

MO 4.7: Explain why it is difficult to change the inclination of a spacecraft's orbit
Learn 4.5.3 Changing Orbital Inclination 4.5.4 The Influence of Launch Location Assess 4.6.3 Review of Concepts: Orbital Inclination and Rendezvous

MO 4.8: Explain how the latitude of a launch site affects orbital inclination and the amount of payload that can be put into orbit
Learn 4.5.3 Changing Orbital Inclination 4.5.4 The Influence of Launch Location Assess 4.6.3 Review of Concepts: Orbital Inclination and Rendezvous

MO 4.9: Describe the principles of orbital rendezvous and the distinction between ideal and actual rendezvous
Learn 4.6.1 Orbital Rendezvous Assess 4.6.3 Review of Concepts: Orbital Inclination and Rendezvous

MO 4.10: Define gravity assist and explain its importance for interplanetary travel
Learn 4.6.2 Interplanetary Travel

Unit 5: Microgravity and Space Physiology

MO 5.1: Define "microgravity" and explain why gravity on its own does not produce weight
Learn 5.2.1 What Causes Weight? 5.2.4 Human Motion in Microgravity

MO 5.2: Identify the different types of research that are enabled by the weightless environment of space
Learn 5.2.2 Creating a Microgravity Environment 5.2.3 Scientific Research in Microgravity

MO 5.3: Understand the threat of syncope (fainting) when astronauts return from space
Learn 5.3.1 The Effects of Weightlessness on the Circulatory System

MO 5.4: Describe the effects of weightlessness on the body's ability to regulate blood pressure
Learn 5.3.1 The Effects of Weightlessness on the Circulatory System

MO 5.5: Describe the fluid shift in the body that occurs when transitioning between Earth gravity, the weightlessness of space, and back again
Learn 5.3.2 On-Orbit Fluid Shifts

MO 5.6: Explain the "anemia" associated with spaceflight
Learn 5.3.2 On-Orbit Fluid Shifts

MO 5.7: Describe the effects of weightlessness on muscles
Learn 5.4.1 The Effects of Weightlessness on Muscles

MO 5.8: Describe the effects of weightlessness on bones and the relationship to osteoporosis (bone calcium loss)
Learn 5.4.2 The Effects of Weightlessness on Bones

MO 5.9: Discuss the three ways in which humans perceive their orientation and motion and how each of these ways is affected by weightlessness
Learn 5.5.1 Sensing Direction and Movement

MO 5.10: Explain the sensory conflicts in space that may contribute to "space motion sickness"
Learn 5.5.2 Visual Orientation and Space Motion Sickness

MO 5.11: Discuss the countermeasures that have been developed to mitigate the adverse effects of weightlessness on the circulatory system, the musculoskeletal system, and the neurophysiological system
Learn 5.3.3 Mitigating the Effects of Weightlessness on the Circulatory System 5.4.1 The Effects of Weightlessness on Muscles 5.4.2 The Effects of Weightlessness on Bones 5.5.2 Visual Orientation and Space Motion Sickness

MO 5.12: Identify the two types of space radiation and explain why each type poses risks to human spaceflight
Learn 5.6.1 Types of Space Radiation 5.6.2 Quantifying Space Radiation Dosage 5.6.3 Estimating Space Radiation Risk 5.6.4 Protecting Against Space Radiation 5.6.5 Research Questions in Space Radiation

Unit 6: Extravehicular Activity

MO 6.1: Identify the basic requirements for humans to stay alive in a space suit
Learn 6.2.1 Space Suit Requirements, Part 1 6.2.2 Space Suit Requirements, Part 2 6.2.3 Additional Resources Assess 6.6.1 Review of Concepts: Space Suit Requirements 6.6.2 Review of Concepts: Pre-Breathing Protocols

MO 6.2: Identify the basic requirements for humans to do useful work in a space suit
Learn 6.3.1 Space Suit Flexibility 6.3.2 Space Suit Pressure 6.3.3 Preventing Decompression Sickness 6.3.4 Hard Suits, Visibility, and Tools 6.3.5 Stability and Training

MO 6.3: Explain the relationship between space suit pressure and mobility
Learn 6.3.1 Space Suit Flexibility 6.3.2 Space Suit Pressure Assess 6.6.1 Review of Concepts: Space Suit Requirements

MO 6.4: Explain the relationship between space suit pressure and the risk of decompression sickness
Learn 6.3.2 Space Suit Pressure 6.3.3 Preventing Decompression Sickness Assess 6.6.1 Review of Concepts: Space Suit Requirements 6.6.2 Review of Concepts: Pre-Breathing Protocols

MO 6.5: Discuss the importance of proper tools, training, and a stable work platform for efficient EVA work
Learn 6.3.4 Hard Suits, Visibility, and Tools 6.3.5 Stability and Training

MO 6.6: Describe the key steps in preparing for and carrying out a spacewalk
Learn 6.4.1 Preparing for a Spacewalk 6.4.2 Performing a Spacewalk

MO 6.7: Identify the limitations of traditional space suits, and describe how ongoing research in space suit design can help address some of these challenges
Learn 6.4.3 The Future of Space Suit Design

MO 6.8: Explain the importance of robotics in spaceflight and space exploration
Learn 6.5.1 Introduction to Space Robotics 6.5.2 Current State of Space Robotics 6.5.3 Planetary Exploration Robots 6.5.4 Orbital Robotics 6.5.5 Advancements in Space Robotics Technology

Unit 7: System Safety

MO 7.1: Describe the traditional approach to component reliability and explain the difference between "reliability" and "safety"
Learn 7.2.1 Component Redundancy 7.2.2 Safety vs. Reliability

MO 7.2: Discuss the role of software in system safety and explain why component-based reliability analysis is inadequate for managing software risks
Learn 7.3.1 The Curse of Software 7.3.2 Software Redundancy 7.3.3 Software in Aviation

MO 7.3: Discuss the role of humans in system safety and explain the importance of human interactions with hardware and software systems
Learn 7.4.1 The Context of Human Error 7.4.2 Humans and Automation 7.4.3 Traditional vs. Systems View of Human Factors 7.4.4 Designing with Humans in Mind Assess 7.5.5 Aircraft Accident Report

MO 7.4: Explain the differences between the "traditional view" and the "systems view" of human factors
Learn 7.4.3 Traditional vs. Systems View of Human Factors

MO 7.5: Describe how accident investigators apply deductive reasoning to determine the cause(s) of an accident
Learn 7.5.1 Aircraft Accident Investigation Assess 7.5.5 Aircraft Accident Report