Overview

Included in Degrees & Certificates

• 299

Prerequisites

• SS3500

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the two-body problem in celestial mechanics and its mathematical representation.
• Analyze the effects of perturbing forces, such as those caused by a third point mass or distributed mass, on the dynamics of orbital motion.
• Apply techniques for expanding the disturbing potential in series of Legendre functions to model gravitational effects accurately.
• Understand and utilize variation of parameter equations for osculating orbital elements to track and predict the motion of orbiting bodies.
• Apply perturbation theory and numerical solution techniques to model and analyze orbital perturbations, such as those caused by gravitational interactions or atmospheric drag.
• Demonstrate proficiency in statistical orbit determination methods to estimate orbital parameters and uncertainties based on observational data.
• Gain familiarity with the codes and tools used by the military and space agencies for maintaining the catalog of artificial satellites and tracking space debris.
• Apply theoretical knowledge and computational techniques to solve practical astrodynamics problems, such as orbit determination, trajectory optimization, and collision avoidance.
• Analyze the limitations and challenges associated with orbit determination and prediction in real-world scenarios, including uncertainty propagation and error analysis.
• Communicate effectively through written reports and presentations, conveying complex astrodynamics concepts and analysis results to technical and non-technical audiences.