Orbital Dynamics

Objectives

1. To understand the characteristics of orbits that are commonly used by satellites

2. Detailed knowledge of the problem involving two bodies.

3. Calculation of orbital parameters of satellites.

4. Estimating perturbations that may be encountered in orbit.

5. Layout of manoeuvres in order to precisely and successfully accomplish a modification of orbit.

6. Elaboration of interplanetary trajectories.

General characterization

Code

13143

Credits

6.0

Responsible teacher

António Carlos Simões Paiva

Hours

Weekly - 5

Total - 70

Teaching language

Português

Prerequisites

Admittance to the Master in Aerospace Engineering

Mathematical Analysis

Classical Physics

Bibliography

Readings

The main reference  for the course is:

Howard D. Curtis, Orbital Mechanics, 4th ed. Elsevier Ltd., Amsterdam, 2020. ISBN:  978-0128240250.

References

The following books are also recommended as additional resources:

R.R. Bate, D.D. Mueller, J.E. White, Fundamentals of Astrodynamics, 2nd ed. Dover Publications, New York, 2020. ISBN:  978-0486497044.

John M. A. Danby. Fundamentals of Celestial Mechanics, 2nd ed. Brooks Cole, New York, 2003. ISBN: 0-943396204.

Kleppner, Daniel, and Robert Kolenkow, An Introduction to Mechanics, 2nd ed. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 2013. ISBN:  978-0521198219.

Teaching method

The course is organized in lectures where the theory is presented and problems are discussed with the instructor.

Evaluation method

Evaluation

There will be two midterm evaluation tests and a final examination. 

Grading

Midterms 50% each.

Final Examination 100%

Students must score minimum of 10 out of 20 to have success.

Subject matter

1  DYNAMICS OF PARTICLES

1.1 Mathematical Preliminaries

1.2 Newton´s Laws

2 ORBITAL DYNAMICS

2.1 Two-Body Problem

2.2 Kepler´s Time Equation

2.3 Three-Body-Problem

3 ORBITAL MANEUVERS

3.1 Launch Vehicle Trajectories

3.2 Hohmann Transfer

3.3 Interplanetary Flight

3.4 Orbital Rendezvous

4 ATTITUDE DYNAMICS

4.1 Rotational Kinematics

4.2 Rigid-Body Dynamics

4.3 Rotational Maneuvers

Programs

Programs where the course is taught: