I can map the information and energy flow through an autonomous aerospace system.
POE Unit 3 • Lesson 3.1
Unit Launch: Autonomous Aerospace Systems
Focus question: How do autonomous aerospace systems sense conditions, make decisions, act, and verify mission results?
Mission Briefing
Today’s Plan
A focused sequence that advances the rover and VEX ground-support mission.
Opening promptConcept modelGuided practiceInteractive applicationEvidence checkExit ticket
Lesson Targets
What You Will Be Able to Do
Autonomous system architecture map
The map identifies a mission input, controller, actuator, physical output, and feedback signal.
Activity Flow
How the Lesson Moves
Each step builds the control-systems reasoning needed for today’s deliverable.
1. Decode the mission
Identify the task, operating environment, and success condition.
2. Trace the loop
Connect sensing, logic, actuation, and feedback.
3. Define evidence
Name the data that would prove the system completed the mission.
Lesson Interactive
Autonomous system architecture map Practice
Apply the lesson concept to an aerospace rover or VEX ground-support scenario. Use the feedback to correct reasoning before documenting the main deliverable.
Autonomous Landing-Support Scenario
Distance Sensor
Controller Logic
Drive Motors
Rover Position
Mission: Approach a payload station and stop 120 mm away, correcting for floor and battery variation.
Label the System Loop
Follow information from sensing to decision, then energy from actuation to physical motion and back through feedback.
Today’s Work
Main Deliverable
Autonomous Aerospace System Map
Create one focused engineering artifact that demonstrates today’s learning.
- Label the input, controller, actuator, physical output, and feedback path.
- Add one measurable mission-success criterion and the evidence used to verify it.
Exit Ticket
Mission Debrief
State one control-systems or automation idea from today in your own words.
Name one measurement, calculation, trace, or test result that supports your design decision.
Identify one interface, logic, safety, or reliability risk to carry into the next lesson.
Resources
Lesson Resources
Lesson 3.1 PowerPoint
Use the presentation to review the lesson concepts, examples, and activity directions.
Principles of Engineering
Return to the POE course hub for units, resources, certifications, and course information.
Rover Mission + VEX Ground Support System
Use the integrated mission context when connecting logic, sensing, actuation, testing, and design-review evidence.