Integrate subsystems
Connect structure, mechanism, control, fabrication, mission environment, and data-collection decisions into one coherent aerospace system.
POE Unit 5
Aerospace Rover Systems Capstone: Design, Test & Defend
Students bring the course together by designing, building, testing, and defending an integrated aerospace system. The capstone requires students to connect mechanisms, structures, controls, materials, fabrication, data, and documentation into one clear engineering solution.
Unit Purpose
What this unit prepares you to do
Unit 5 is the final systems-integration challenge. You will combine prior POE skills into one aerospace prototype, test it against mission requirements, and defend the design using documentation, data, and engineering reasoning.
Test against requirements
Create a safe test protocol, collect repeated evidence, analyze failures, and improve the design based on performance data.
Defend the design
Use sketches, CAD evidence, calculations, graphs, photos, test results, and reflections to present a professional engineering design review.
Unit Project
Integrated Aerospace Rover Systems Capstone
Design, build, test, and defend an integrated aerospace system. Your system may include a VEX mechanism, rover mission environment, lightweight structure, 3D printed or laser-cut components, sensors, controls, or another approved custom aerospace subsystem.
Possible capstones
Autonomous rover mission with ground support, payload deployment station, VEX launch-support mechanism, lightweight test structure, mission rover support system, or integrated aircraft/rocket support fixture.
Required integration
Your final system must include multiple subsystems, documented requirements, a build plan, fabrication evidence, test data, iteration, and a final engineering recommendation.
Required evidence
Design brief, requirements, concepts, decision matrix, system architecture, prototype documentation, test protocol, data analysis, final presentation, and portfolio reflection.
Project Brief
Integrated Aerospace Rover Systems Capstone
Use this brief to guide the final systems capstone, subsystem planning, prototype evidence, testing, and final design defense.
Student Project Brief
This PDF explains the challenge statement, scenario, design requirements, constraints, engineering evidence, checkpoints, and success criteria for this unit project.
Open Project BriefProject Support
Common templates
Use these LockwoodSTEM templates to plan, document, test, analyze, and present engineering work.
Notebook Entry
Document sketches, calculations, evidence, and next steps.
Open PDFDesign Brief
Define the problem, criteria, constraints, and deliverables.
Open PDFTest Plan
Plan variables, setup, procedure, and success criteria.
Open PDFTest Data Table
Collect repeated trials and calculate summary statistics.
Download XLSXProject Reflection
Explain what worked, what changed, and what should improve next.
Open PDFFinal Design Review Slides
Use the slide template to present the final engineering argument.
Download PPTXDaily Lesson Map
Unit 5 lesson sequence
Each lesson builds toward a final capstone system that is designed, tested, revised, documented, and defended.
| Lesson | Title | Student Objective | Deliverable | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.1 | Capstone Launch: Aerospace Systems Challenge | I can explain the purpose, expectations, and evidence requirements for the final aerospace systems capstone. | Capstone challenge notes and initial project interest list | Open Lesson |
| 5.2 | Mission Problem Selection and Stakeholders | I can select or define a meaningful aerospace problem and identify the stakeholders affected by the solution. | Mission problem statement and stakeholder map | Open Lesson |
| 5.3 | Requirements, Criteria, and Constraints | I can convert a mission problem into clear requirements, criteria, constraints, and success metrics. | Requirements table and success metrics | Open Lesson |
| 5.4 | Prior Learning Audit: Mechanisms, Structures, Controls, and Data | I can identify which POE skills from Units 1–4 are needed for my capstone system. | Prior learning audit chart | Open Lesson |
| 5.5 | Research and Benchmarking | I can research existing aerospace systems and use benchmarking to guide design decisions. | Benchmarking notes and research summary | Open Lesson |
| 5.6 | Concept Generation and System Architecture | I can generate multiple capstone concepts and represent a system using inputs, outputs, subsystems, and interfaces. | Concept sketches and system architecture diagram | Open Lesson |
| 5.7 | Decision Matrix and Concept Selection | I can use a decision matrix to choose and justify the strongest capstone concept. | Decision matrix and concept justification | Open Lesson |
| 5.8 | Subsystem Planning and Team Roles | I can divide the capstone into manageable subsystems, tasks, responsibilities, and milestones. | Subsystem plan and team task board | Open Lesson |
| 5.9 | CAD, Build Plan, and Fabrication Review | I can prepare a CAD/build plan that is safe, realistic, and ready for teacher review before fabrication. | CAD/build plan and fabrication approval notes | Open Lesson |
| 5.10 | Prototype Build Day 1: Structure and Mechanism | I can build the structural and mechanical portions of my capstone prototype while documenting decisions and issues. | Build evidence and structure/mechanism progress notes | Open Lesson |
| 5.11 | Prototype Build Day 2: Controls, Rover, or Electromechanical Integration | I can integrate controls, sensors, rovers, motors, or electromechanical elements into the capstone system. | Integration evidence and wiring/program notes | Open Lesson |
| 5.12 | Testing Protocol and Risk Review | I can create a safe, repeatable testing protocol with variables, data tables, and risk controls. | Testing protocol and risk review | Open Lesson |
| 5.13 | Prototype Testing and Data Collection | I can collect repeated test data to evaluate capstone performance against mission requirements. | Official capstone test data | Open Lesson |
| 5.14 | Data Analysis and Failure Modes | I can analyze capstone test data and identify failure modes that limit system performance. | Data analysis and failure mode notes | Open Lesson |
| 5.15 | Iteration and Design Freeze | I can make evidence-based improvements and decide when the design is ready for final documentation. | Iteration log and design freeze statement | Open Lesson |
| 5.16 | Final Documentation Package | I can assemble a complete engineering documentation package that explains the final design and evidence. | Final documentation package draft | Open Lesson |
| 5.17 | Final Presentation and Demonstration Prep | I can prepare a clear final presentation and demonstration plan for a capstone design review. | Presentation draft and demonstration checklist | Open Lesson |
| 5.18 | Capstone Design Review and Portfolio Reflection | I can defend my capstone design using evidence and reflect on my growth as an aerospace engineering student. | Final design review and portfolio reflection | Open Lesson |
Resources
Unit 5 Resources
Use these resources to plan, build, test, document, and present your integrated capstone system.
CAD Resources
Use the Unit 5 project brief, rover build guide, template pack, and current class files to support capstone system integration.
Linked Lesson Resources
Use the design review form, decision matrix, project planning worksheet, engineering change request, measurement data sheet, and shared resource library during this unit.
Aerospace Rover Systems Build Guide
Use this guide to organize subsystem integration, testing evidence, team roles, and final capstone design review expectations.
Open Rover Build Guide