Uses of Calculus in Space

Explorations
Differential and Integral calculus
• Differentiation
It is the process to find the derivative of function and gives the instantaneous
rate of change using the slope chord 𝑑𝑦/𝑑𝑥 . A derivative is used to measure
the slope of a tangent line.
• Integration
Integral calculus, on the other hand, aims to discover the quantity where the
rate of change is known. This section focuses on tangent line slopes and
velocities. While differential calculus is concerned with the curve itself,
integral calculus is concerned with the space or area beneath the curve.
Integral calculus is used to calculate total value, such as lengths, areas, and
volumes.
What is a Derivative?
Rocket trajectory
• To find the rocket's velocity, we differentiate the position function with respect to time:
v(t) = dp(t)/dt

• To find the rocket's acceleration, we differentiate the velocity function with respect to time:
a(t) = dv(t)/dt

• By integrating the acceleration function over time, we can determine the change in velocity
(ΔV):

Δv = ∫ a(t) dt

• Integrating once more, we can find the change in position (Δp):

Δp = ∫ v(t) dt
Propulsion:

• By using newton’s second law of motion, the force(f) acting on the rocket can be
expressed as the product of mass(m) and acceleration(a):

F(t) = m(t) * a(t)

• The mass of the rocket, m(t), decreases over time as the fuel is consumed.

• To determine the change in velocity (ΔV) required for the rocket to reach the iss, we
integrate the force over time:

Δv = ∫ (F(t) / m(t)) dt
Atmospheric Drag
• The drag force can be expressed as: x = 0.5 * ρ * v^2 * A * y

Where:
• X is the drag force,
• ρ is the atmospheric density,
• v is the velocity of the rocket,
• A is the cross-sectional area of the rocket exposed to the oncoming airflow, and
• y is the drag coefficient, which represents the object's shape and aerodynamic characteristics.

• Differentiating the drag force with respect to time, we get:

dx/dt = d(0.5 * ρ * v^2 * A * y)/dt

• Since ρ, a, and y are constants, we can move them outside the differentiation:

dx/dt = 0.5 * ρ * A * y * d(v^2)/dt

• Next, This equation represents the rate of change of the drag force with respect to time.
dx/dt = 0.5 * ρ * A * y * 2v * dv/dt

• The work done by the drag force can be expressed as:

W = ∫ x * df

Where:
• W is the work done by the drag force,
• x is the drag force, and
• df represents the displacement of the rocket in the direction of the drag force.

• Integrating the drag force over the displacement, we get:

W = ∫ (0.5 * Ρ * V^2 * A * Y) * df
Navigation and Guidance:

• Differentiating the position function with respect to time, we can find the rocket's velocity in the x-direction:

v_x(t) = d(x(t))/dt

• let's consider a scenario where the rocket needs to adjust its heading angle (θ) to reach the desired orientation.
Calculus can be used to calculate the rate of change of the heading angle, known as the angular velocity (h).

h(t) = d(θ(t))/dt

• By integrating the desired angular velocity over time, we can determine the change in heading angle required:

Δθ = ∫ h(t) dt