AE 313-AE 613 SPACEFLIGHT MECHANICS

This course will enable students to

1. Understand the basic concepts and conservation laws in orbital mechanics
2. To solve 2-body problems in orbital mechanics using orbital elements
3. Application of orbital maneuvers like in-plane, out of plane, lunar and rendezvous
transfers
Syllabus:
Vector Algebra, Diff/Integral Calculus (KE and PE), Newtons inverse square law, n-body equation,
Kepler's law, Eqn of Conic, Types of conics, Vis-Viva Eqn, Flight path angle, Relation b/w true anomaly
and time, Kepler's Eqn, Different Coordinate frames, Conversion of state vector to orbital elements, Two
body problem, Lambert problem, True Anomaly Iteration Method, Julian date, Non Keplerian Motion-
Non-spherical earth- Third Body perturbation- Atmospheric Drag- Solar Radiation Pressure, Orbit
Maneuvers- Single impulse transfer-Two impulse transfers (Hohmann , Bielliptic)- Plane change
maneuvers- Spherical Triangle- Rendezvous Maneuvers, inter-planetary mission trajectories
Course Outcomes
At the end of this course the student will be able to:
1) Apply the basic conservation laws and concepts of orbital mechanics for problem solving
2) Design, evaluate and select required orbits for spacecrafts around earth
3) Evaluate and determine suitable orbital transfers needed for space mission design

Evaluation:
Quiz 1- 15 marks, Quiz 2- 15 marks, Assignments- 20 marks, End Sem- 50 marks

Text Books:

1. Howard D.Curtis,’Orbital Mechanics for Engineering Students, ELSEVIER,

Reference Books:

1. Francis J Hale, ‘Introduction to Space Flight’, Prentice Hall

2. Ashish Tewari, ’Atmospheric and Spaceflight Dynamics’, Birkhauser,2007
3. David A Vallado, ‘Fundamentals of Astrodynamics and Applications, Kluwer Academic
Publishers
4. Richard H.Bartin, ‘An introduction to the Mathematics and Methods of Astrodynamics,
Revised Edition’, AIAA Education Series
5. V A Chobotov,’ORBITAL MECHANICS’. AIAA EDUCATION SERIES
6. W E Weisel,’ Spaceflight dynamics’, The McGraw-Hill Companies
7. Charles D.Brown , Spacecraft Mission Design, AIAA Education Series
8. P.R. Escobal, ‘Methods of Orbit determination’, Krieger Publishing Company
9. Michael D Griffin, James R French, ‘Space Vehicle Design’, AIAA Education Series