Orbital Mechanics

Orbital Mechanics

Space exploration helps to address fundamental questions about our place in the Universe and the history of our solar system.

In the last two decades, space systems such as launch vehicles, satellites, space probes and space stations, etc., are increasingly being employed for various types of missions. To successfully design such systems for carrying out these tasks an aerospace/aeronautical/Space systems engineer requires an understanding of the mechanics of Space. Any student passionate about entering this stream has to start with this course. In this course you will be provided with the basic background on orbital mechanics covering - launch vehicle trajectories, trajectory design, satellite orbital motion, interplanetary & return missions, etc.

This course will help you as beginners in this field,  understand the implication of various concepts and methodologies applicable to the mechanics of space systems. We will also go through some problems where we will see how the concepts learned can be applied to complete this course.

In lesson-1 we start with the basics of space mechanics such as Newton’s law of Gravitation, Potential energy and kinetic energy of a space vehicle or object, and Total Energy. We will also look into the most important laws of planetary motion the Kepler’s laws. Newton’s law of gravitation and Kepler's laws together form the basis of orbital motion.

In lesson-2 we will enter into the regime of Orbital mechanics and understand the concepts of two body or central body motion. We will mathematically find out the parameters that remain constant in an orbit. We then solve the two-body equation of motion to obtain the trajectory of a satellite. We will also be discussing the type of curve the trajectory represents and its basic properties.

In lesson – 3 we deal with the different types of trajectories namely- circular, elliptical, parabolic, and hyperbolic trajectories, and associated satellite properties in those orbits. Here we cover orbital and escape velocities, specific mechanical energy in the orbit, specific angular momentum, and others.

In our last lesson-4, we look into some more details of elliptical orbits and understand how to determine orbit properties when the burnout properties of the satellite are known. We will then look into orbital elements and orbital maneuvers. In orbital Maneuvers, we learn in-plane maneuver (that is Hohmann transfer) and out-of-the plane maneuver. Finally, we learn about various types of satellite orbits such as Geosynchronous orbits, polar orbits, geostationary orbits, etc.

It is not enough to just understand concepts…. Rather it is our capability to apply a concept to an engineering problem that will complete our learning process…

Once we finish learning the concepts of space mechanics, we will look at some potential example problems where we see how the concepts learned can be applied. It is important and we highly recommend you to go through them.

For more problems Practice the individual tests on Space mechanics in the Test Series.

Before you start the course we suggest you go through Newton's laws of motion, acceleration due to gravity concepts for better understanding.

Let's lift-off, guys!!!

Orbital Mechanics

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What you will learn

• They develop understanding of orbital mechanics.
• Basics of motion of space objects, central body motion, Launch vehicle / satellite trajectories, trajectory design, satellite orbital motion, interplanetary transfers, orbital elements etc.
• This will help you as beginners in this field, to understand the implication of various concepts and methodologies applicable to mechanics of space systems.

Rating: 4

Level: Intermediate Level

Duration: 1.5 hours

Instructor: Bhavya Anoohya B