Mathematics and Physics from the Ground Up
PLEN

Astronautics

Orbits, getting a rocket to orbit, manoeuvres, rendezvous and interplanetary travel, and finally spacecraft attitude. Builds on mechanics (physics 1–5), differential equations and numerical methods; the last three lessons build on control engineering and flight dynamics.

I Orbits

  1. 1The two-body problem and the orbit equation draft requires: Mathematics 4.1, Physics 5
  2. 2Orbital elements, Kepler's equation and the ground track draft requires: Mathematics 2.2, Mathematics 6.2, 1
  3. 3Perturbations: Earth's oblateness, Sun-synchronous orbits and drag draft requires: 2

II Launch and manoeuvres

  1. 4Rocket to orbit: the rocket equation, staging and the gravity turn draft requires: Mathematics 6.2, Physics 3, 1
  2. 5Orbital manoeuvres: the Hohmann transfer and plane changes draft requires: 2, 4
  3. 6Relative motion and orbital rendezvous draft requires: Mathematics 4.5, 5

III Interplanetary travel

  1. 7Spheres of influence and interplanetary transfers draft requires: 5
  2. 8Gravity assists draft requires: 7
  3. 9Lambert's problem and porkchop plots draft requires: Mathematics 6.2, 7
  4. 10Atmospheric entry draft requires: Physics 10, 1

IV Spacecraft attitude

  1. 11A spacecraft without control: spin, dual spin and gravity gradient draft requires: Flight dynamics 2, 1
  2. 12Attitude determination: sensors, TRIAD and filtering draft requires: Flight dynamics 3, 11
  3. 13Attitude control: reaction wheels, magnetorquers and thrusters draft requires: Control engineering 3.3, 12