Courses of Instruction:

Fall

Astrodynamics

Text Book:

	Space Flight Mechanics, R.H. Tolson, e-book and/or
	Fundamentals of Astrodynamics and Applications, D. A. Vallado

Topics covered:

• Geocentric equatorial and ecliptic coordinate systems, topocentric systems, geodetic altitude and latitude, spherical trigonometry.
• Relations among time systems including ephemeris, universal, sidereal, and atomic time.
• Integrals of the N-body, three body and two body problems.
• Details of the two body problem including solutions of Kepler's equation for elliptic, parabolic and hyperbolic orbits.
• Three body problem, Lagrange points and stability, Lagrange finite mass particular solutions
• Orbital perturbations, planetary equations, oblateness and drag effects.
• Special orbits: GPS, sun-synchronous, geo-synchronous, frozen

1. Utilities to transform between various time systems: universal, sidereal, ephemeris times, and Julian date.
2. Utilities to (1) transform from true anomaly to eccentric anomaly ('f2E') and (2) vis-versa ('E2f') and (3) solve Kepler's equation ('kepler') for all types of orbits.
3. Procedure ('x2orb') to calculate classical Keplerian orbital elements from Cartesian position and velocity considering all degenerate and singular orbit cases.
4. Procedure ('orb2x') to transform from orbital elements to Cartesian position and velocity.

Space Flight Guidance, Navigation, and Control

Text Book:

	Space Flight guidance, Navigation, and Control, R.H. Tolson, e-book and/or
	Fundamentals of Astrodynamics and Applications, D. A. Vallado

Topics covered:

• Space flight trajectories, optimal transfers, Hohmann transfers including bi-elliptic and bi-parabolic transfers, Lambert's theorem, patched conics, sphere of influence, gravity assist via planetary flyby, B-plane, propulsive requirements, pork-chop plots, Runge-Kutta single step methods, Adams-Moulton and Adams-Bashford multi-step methods, precision trajectory equations of motion.
• Navigation and orbit determination, initial orbit determination, spectroscopic binaries, information content of deep space Doppler and range measurements, optical approach data, delta differential Doppler, least squares, minimum variance, batch and sequential filter methods.
• Guidance algorithms, rendezvous, constant time of arrival and minimum delta V midcourse corrections, B-plane targeting, planetary protection bias.

1. Lambert's problem solver('lambert') for all types of orbits
2. Procedure for making pork-chop plots('porkchop').
3. Procedure to determine the midcourse corrections('midcourse').
4. Procedure to perform initial orbit determination using classical methods('gauss').
5. Procedure for batch minimum variance differential correction 'mvbatch'.
6. Procedure for sequential filter('kalman').

Updated 10/16/2005 by RHT
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