Orbital and Space Flight Mechanics - Practical Course

What it is about

You analyze and solve orbital-mechanical questions and mission scenarios. In the end you can apply various two-body models and perturbing forces, design orbital maneuvers, perform simple orbit determination, and implement the solutions with self-developed software or existing Mission-Analysis libraries.

What you will be able to do

• Analyze spaceflight mechanics problems with Kepler's restricted two-body problem
• Account for perturbing forces in the perturbed two-body problem
• Apply Gauss’s variational equations
• Design different orbit types and transfer maneuvers
• Use rocket equations for maneuver planning
• Apply basic orbit-determination procedures
• Develop software functions in C, Python and/or Matlab
• Use mission-analysis libraries for the problem at hand
• work in groups on projects
• Document results in presentations, reports and code

What the module consists of

• Praktikumalgorithmic and implementation-related handling of tasks in orbital analysis and orbit determination; progressively more complex calculations and projects
• Demonstration/Übungcentral practical units including a planned (tentative) Telescope-in-the-loop demonstration

Teaching method

• Anwesenheitsveranstaltung mit Multimedia-Unterstützung (Moodle)Introduction and supervision of practical tasks as well as provision of material
• Schrittweise Bearbeitung computationaler Aufgaben am eigenen LaptopTo train the implementation and application of algorithms in C, Python and/or Matlab
• Einsatz von state-of-the-art mission-analysis BibliothekenTo become familiar with and apply real tools of mission analysis
• Gruppen- oder EinzelprojekteDeepening through autonomous project work and collaboration