# Aerospace Engineering - Processes Backlog

This document contains the prioritized backlog of processes to be implemented for the Aerospace Engineering specialization.

## Phase 2 Processes

### Aerodynamics and Flow Analysis

| ID | Process Name | Description | Priority | Complexity |
|----|--------------|-------------|----------|------------|
| AE-001 | CFD Analysis Workflow | Complete computational fluid dynamics analysis workflow including geometry preparation, mesh generation, solver setup, solution execution, and post-processing for subsonic through hypersonic flow regimes | High | High |
| AE-002 | Wind Tunnel Test Correlation | Process for correlating CFD predictions with wind tunnel test data, including data normalization, uncertainty quantification, and model calibration | High | Medium |
| AE-003 | Aerodynamic Database Generation | Systematic generation of aerodynamic coefficient databases across Mach number, angle of attack, and sideslip ranges for flight simulation and control law development | Medium | High |

### Propulsion Systems

| ID | Process Name | Description | Priority | Complexity |
|----|--------------|-------------|----------|------------|
| AE-004 | Gas Turbine Cycle Analysis | Process for analyzing and optimizing gas turbine engine thermodynamic cycles including turbofan, turbojet, and turboprop configurations | High | Medium |
| AE-005 | Rocket Propulsion Design | Complete workflow for rocket engine design including combustion analysis, nozzle design, propellant selection, and performance optimization | High | High |
| AE-006 | Propulsion System Testing | Structured approach to propulsion system ground testing including test cell preparation, instrumentation setup, data acquisition, and performance validation | Medium | Medium |

### Structural Analysis and Design

| ID | Process Name | Description | Priority | Complexity |
|----|--------------|-------------|----------|------------|
| AE-007 | Finite Element Analysis Workflow | Comprehensive FEA workflow from CAD import through mesh generation, load application, analysis execution, and results evaluation for aerospace structures | High | High |
| AE-008 | Fatigue and Damage Tolerance | Process for assessing structural fatigue life and damage tolerance including crack growth analysis, inspection intervals, and certification compliance | High | Medium |
| AE-009 | Composite Structure Design | Workflow for designing and analyzing composite aerospace structures including layup optimization, manufacturing considerations, and certification evidence | Medium | High |
| AE-010 | Aeroelastic Analysis | Process for analyzing flutter, divergence, and control reversal to ensure structural integrity across the flight envelope | Medium | High |

### Flight Dynamics and Control

| ID | Process Name | Description | Priority | Complexity |
|----|--------------|-------------|----------|------------|
| AE-011 | Flight Control Law Development | Systematic process for developing, tuning, and validating flight control laws including stability augmentation and autopilot modes | High | High |
| AE-012 | Handling Qualities Assessment | Process for evaluating aircraft handling qualities against military and civil standards including Cooper-Harper ratings and MIL-STD-1797 compliance | High | Medium |
| AE-013 | Flight Simulation Model Development | Workflow for creating validated flight dynamics models for pilot training and engineering simulation | Medium | Medium |

### Space Systems Engineering

| ID | Process Name | Description | Priority | Complexity |
|----|--------------|-------------|----------|------------|
| AE-014 | Mission Design and Analysis | Complete space mission design process including trajectory optimization, delta-V budgeting, launch window analysis, and mission timeline development | High | High |
| AE-015 | Spacecraft Thermal Analysis | Process for thermal control system design and analysis including thermal desktop modeling, environment definition, and thermal balance verification | High | Medium |
| AE-016 | Spacecraft Power Budget Analysis | Systematic analysis of spacecraft power generation, storage, and consumption including solar array sizing and battery management | Medium | Medium |
| AE-017 | Orbital Debris Assessment | Process for assessing and mitigating orbital debris risks including collision probability analysis and debris mitigation planning | Medium | Low |

### Systems Engineering and Integration

| ID | Process Name | Description | Priority | Complexity |
|----|--------------|-------------|----------|------------|
| AE-018 | Requirements Verification Matrix | Process for creating and maintaining requirements verification and validation matrices ensuring complete traceability from system to component level | High | Medium |
| AE-019 | Interface Control Documentation | Systematic approach to defining, documenting, and managing interfaces between aerospace subsystems including ICDs and interface verification | High | Medium |
| AE-020 | Trade Study Methodology | Structured process for conducting engineering trade studies with weighted criteria, sensitivity analysis, and decision documentation | Medium | Low |

### Certification and Compliance

| ID | Process Name | Description | Priority | Complexity |
|----|--------------|-------------|----------|------------|
| AE-021 | Certification Planning | Process for developing certification plans aligned with FAR/EASA requirements including means of compliance and certification evidence identification | High | High |
| AE-022 | Safety Assessment (ARP4761) | Structured safety assessment process following ARP4761 guidelines including FHA, FMEA, FTA, and common cause analysis | High | High |
| AE-023 | DO-178C Compliance Planning | Process for planning and executing software certification activities in compliance with DO-178C for airborne systems | Medium | High |

### Test and Validation

| ID | Process Name | Description | Priority | Complexity |
|----|--------------|-------------|----------|------------|
| AE-024 | Flight Test Planning | Comprehensive flight test planning process including test point definition, instrumentation requirements, safety analysis, and data analysis planning | High | Medium |
| AE-025 | Environmental Testing Sequence | Process for defining and executing environmental test campaigns including vibration, thermal vacuum, EMI/EMC, and acoustic testing | Medium | Medium |

---

## Summary Statistics

- **Total Processes:** 25
- **High Priority:** 15
- **Medium Priority:** 10
- **Low Priority:** 0

### By Category

| Category | Count |
|----------|-------|
| Aerodynamics and Flow Analysis | 3 |
| Propulsion Systems | 3 |
| Structural Analysis and Design | 4 |
| Flight Dynamics and Control | 3 |
| Space Systems Engineering | 4 |
| Systems Engineering and Integration | 3 |
| Certification and Compliance | 3 |
| Test and Validation | 2 |

### Complexity Distribution

| Complexity | Count |
|------------|-------|
| High | 11 |
| Medium | 12 |
| Low | 2 |

---

## Implementation Notes

### Prerequisites
- Understanding of aerospace engineering fundamentals (aerodynamics, structures, propulsion, flight mechanics)
- Familiarity with industry-standard tools (ANSYS, NASTRAN, MATLAB/Simulink, STK)
- Knowledge of certification standards (FAR/EASA, DO-178C, ARP4754A, ARP4761)
- Access to relevant NASA, AIAA, and SAE technical resources

### Integration Points
- Embedded Systems: Avionics and flight control system implementation
- Software Architecture: Flight software and ground systems development
- Machine Learning: Autonomous systems and predictive maintenance
- DevOps: CI/CD for aerospace software and configuration management

### Quality Standards
- All processes should reference applicable certification requirements
- Analysis processes must include validation and verification steps
- Test processes must include success criteria and data analysis requirements
- Safety-critical processes must include appropriate risk mitigation measures
