AE 6353: Orbital Mechanics

2007 Fall Semester

 

Instructor:              Dr. Robert D. Braun

                                 robert.braun@ae.gatech.edu

                                 321-3 Knight Building

                                   

Class Schedule:      MWF 1:05 – 1:55 pm, ESM 210

                                

Textbooks:              Required: Bate, Mueller and White, Fundamentals of Astrodynamics, Dover, 1971.

                                 Reference: Wiesel, Spaceflight Dynamics, 2nd edition, McGraw Hill, 1997.

                                 Reference: Curtis, Orbital Mechanics for Engineering Students, Elsevier, 2005.

 

TA:                          Grant Wells                   

                                 gtg315z@mail.gatech.edu

                                 217 Knight Building

                                   

Instructor Office Hours: MW 3:00 – 4:00 pm

TA Office Hours:   TR 10:00-11:00 am

 

Course web site:                                  http://www.ae.gatech.edu/people/rbraun/classes/astroI07/index.html

 

Prerequisites:         None     

 

Course Overview:

AE 6353 is the first in a series of two graduate-level astrodynamics classes offered at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Course content includes historical background and equations of motion, two-body orbital mechanics, orbit determination, orbit prediction, orbital maneuvers, lunar and interplanetary trajectories, orbital rendezvous and space navigation. The course grade is based on the student’s performance in two in-class midterms, a final exam and eight homework sets.

 

Each homework assignment will be due at the beginning of the lecture, one week from the date it is handed out. No late homework assignments will be accepted. Homework should be legible, professional and demonstrate all important steps in the solution. Use only one side of the page and indicate page numbers and your name on each page. Clearly indicate your final answer by enclosing it in a box. Be sure to indicate units. Deductions will be made for improper homework formats.

 

Midterm 1 will cover historical background and equations of motion, two-body orbital mechanics, orbit determination, orbital maneuvers and Kepler’s problem (Chapters 1-4 in the BMW text). Midterm 2 will cover Gauss’ problem, lunar, interplanetary trajectories and gravity assist trajectories (Chapters 5, 7 and 8 in the BMW text). All class material (including the restricted three-body problem, orbital rendezvous and space navigation) will be covered in a comprehensive final during finals week. All tests employ a closed book, closed notes format. Chapters 6 and 9 of the BMW text are not assigned. Supplemental reading from the Wiesel and Curtis texts is recommended.

 

Class lectures will be videotaped and broadcast for distance learning students at the National Institute of Aerospace or other locations.

 

Course Materials:

            Aug 20                  Syllabus

            Aug 20                  Course overview

            Aug 20                  Lecture 1: Foundations of Astrodynamics

            Aug 20                  Lecture Figures

            Sept 5                    Coordinate Frame Project Example (MSL)

            Oct 26                   Orbit Propagation Article (Space Times, Jul-Aug 2007)

            Nov 21                  Michelson Chart

            Dec 7                     Deep Space Navigation lecture

 

Homework Assignments:

            Aug 27                  HW#1 (due Sept 5)

            Sept 10                  HW#2 (due Sept 19)

            Sept 24                  HW#3 (due Oct 1)

            Oct 1                     HW#4 (due Oct 10)

            Oct 22                   HW#5 (due Oct 29)

            Nov 2                    HW#6 (due Nov 9)

            Nov 16                  HW#7 (due Nov 28)

            Nov 30                  HW#8 (due Dec 10)