Orbital Mechanics and Launch Systems

Course #SS3500

Start Starts: not available Info For details, contact NPS Online at online@nps.edu.

Clock Est. completion in 3 months

Location pin Offered through Distance Learning

Avg. tuition cost per course: See tuition Info For specific tuition costs of each program or contact information, please contact the NPS Tuition office at tuition@nps.edu .

Learn more about Service Obligation Info Officers accepting orders to a Graduate Education Program (GEP) are obligated to serve on active duty after completion.

Questions? Reach out directly:

NPS Online Student Support

online@nps.edu

Email
Offerings database access

Overview

Provides a fundamental understanding of Orbital Mechanics through study of conic sections, coordinate systems, coordinate transformations, and time. Calculation of orbital elements of the two-body problem is covered. Other Orbital Mechanics topics include: Newton's laws, Kepler's equation, orbital perturbations, and orbital maneuvering, including rendezvous and proximity operations. Launch systems topics include: the rocket equation, single and multi-stage rockets, launch windows, launch profiles, ascent and payload delivery performance, and mission design. Supporting lab work utilizes the Satellite Tool Kit (STK) as an orbit analysis tool. The use of Excel and / or MATLAB for solving problems is encouraged. Prerequisites: college level algebra, geometry, trigonometry, logarithms and physics.

Learning Outcomes

  • Explain the physics of orbital motion.
  • Define and describe the parameters used to define an orbit.
  • Given a list of orbital elements, describe the associated orbit and the possible/likely operational uses of the orbit.
  • Explain the basic orbital regimes and their associated advantages and disadvantages relative to space-based missions.
  • List common orbital perturbations and describe how they hinder or help mission performance.
  • Given a specific orbit, explain the relevant perturbations.
  • Given measurements, derive the associated orbital elements and describe the orbit.
  • Calculate how to launch into a particular orbit and how to change from one orbit to another.