Course

Unit 1

Elements of Conics – The n-Body Problem and Reduction to Two-Body Problem – Types of Orbits – Conservation of Energy and Angular Momentum in Orbits – Spherical Trigonometry – Geocentric-Equatorial, Heliocentric-Ecliptic, Right Ascension Declination, Topocentric-Horizon and Perifocal Co-Ordinate Systems and Transformations between them – Classical Orbital Elements.

Unit 2

Orbital Elements Determination from Position and Velocity at a Point – Determining Position and Velocity from Orbital Elements – Orbit Determinations from a Single Radar Observation, Three Position Vectors and Optical Sightings – Ellipsoidal Earth Model: Geodetic and Geocentric Latitudes – Ground Trace of Satellites – Solar and Sidereal Times – Precession of The Equinoxes – Low and High Earth Orbits: Orbital Perturbations due to Oblateness of Earth – Orbital Manoeuvres: General Coplanar Orbit Transfer, Hohmann Transfer, Simple Plane Changes to an Orbit.

Unit 3

Time-Of Flight and Eccentric Anomalies for Elliptic, Parabolic And Hyperbolic Orbits – Kepler’s Problem and Solution Algorithm – Gauss Problem: General Methods of Solution –Concept of Universal variables approach- Intercept and Rendezvous with Examples – Ballistic Missile Trajectories: Effect of Earth Rotation – Interplanetary Trajectories: Spheres of Influence and the Patched Conic Approximation, Synodic Periods – Satellite Attitude Dynamics: Torque Free Motion, Stability of Torque Free Motion, Spin Stabilization, Gyroscopic Attitude Control, Gravity Gradient Attitude Control.

Objectives

This course aims to introduce the student to several concepts of orbital mechanics and applications such as ground trace, basic orbital manoeuvres, ballistic missiles and interplanetary trajectories

Course Outcomes

CO1: Understand classical orbital elements, physical principles of orbital motion and various coordinate systems used.

CO2: Orbit element determination from position and velocity vectors. Know effects of perturbations to orbits, know ground trace and basic orbital manoeuvres

CO3: Know Kepler and Gauss problem, Universal variables, ballistic missile trajectories, interplanetary trajectories and basics of satellite attitude dynamics

CO-PO Mapping

Evaluation Pattern

• CA – Can be Quizzes, Assignment, Projects, and Reports

Text Book(s)

Roger R Bate, Donald D Mueller, Jerry E White and William W Saylor, “Fundamentals of Astrodynamics,” 2^nd edition, Dover, 2015.

Marshall H Kaplan, “Modern Spacecraft Dynamics and Control,” Wiley, 1976. 

Reference(s)

Howard Curtis, “Orbital Mechanics for Engineers and Scientists,” 3^rd edition, Elsevier, 2010.

Marcel J. Sidi, “Spacecraft Dynamics and Control: A Practical Engineering Approach,” Cambridge University Press, 1997