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Course Information
The course is a practical introduction to the orbital mechanics of spacecraft systems. The content includes torque-free attitude dynamics and stabilization, time-space studies of planar two-body and circular restricted three-body problems, as well as three-dimensional orbits. Preliminary orbit determination, orbital maneuvers and relative motion and rendezvous, including launch sequence and orbit attaining, and their applications to Earth satellites are also studied in the course.
Course Goals
After completion of the course, successful students should be better able to:
- Comprehend theoretical aspects of orbital and attitude motions of satellite systems, in terms of orbit geometry in two and three dimensions, translational and rotational velocities, and kinetic energy and angular momentum.
- Demonstrate proficiency in modeling and analysis of spacecraft orbital motions considering some real-life disturbances and perturbations.
- Systematically carry out orbit determination functions using various methods.
- Demonstrate competency in analysing satellites various maneuvers, their relative motion and rendezvous missions.
- Understand fundamental aspects of launch systems and their sequencing.