31601 - Fundamentals of Astronautics

Learning outcomes

In the three-years Bachelor Degree in Aerospace Engineering, this course is aimed at providing students with an introduction to the subject of space-flight mechanics, space mission design and dynamics of the spacecraft launchers.  It is supposed that students possess the ability to face complex mathematical problems (resolution of differential equations of second order, solution of non-linear equations, etc), to size simple space subsystems by means of approximated formulas, to convert between different unitsand to solve three-dimensional geometric problems.

Course contents

Analysis and design of a space mission

  - Definition of mission objectives

  - Identification of the possible mission architectures

  - Identification of the "designs driver" for the satellite system

 

Foundamentals of Astrodynamics

  - Resctricted two-body problem (Keplerian orbits)

  - Orbital Perturbations (effect of J2, J22 and aerodynamic drag)

  - Orbital Maneuvers in and out of the orbital plan

  - Interplanetary Trajectories

 

Flight dynamics of launchers

  - Effects of the coordinates of the launch site on the spacercraft orbits

  - Ascent trajectories of launchers

Readings/Bibliography

1) W.J. Larson, J.R. Wertz, Space Mission Analysis and Design, Kluver, 1992

2) F. Graziani, Course notes of Applied Astrodynamics, 1992-1993, Scuola di Ingegneria Aerospaziale, Roma (in Italian)

3) Course notes of the lecturer (in Italian)

Teaching methods

Lectures are mostly held by the course teacher.  In lecturing hours it is proceeded to the exposure of the arguments, to the explicit demonstration of all mathematical formulas introduced and to the presentation of the methods to solve the problems given in the practicing hours. The proposed exercises require the use of pocket calculators for the solution of the mathematical end engineering problems given by the lecturer.

Assessment methods

The examination is oral and usually constists of three questions on various subjects, out of which at least one on the more theoretical Astrodynamics part. Students who in the course of the practices will have faced and discussed a specific problem of trajectory or mission design will be allowed to tell more about it as their first question during the examination. The other students will face three questions placed by the lecturer. In the course of the examination it will be assessed the ability to the student to resolve new problems or at least to set up the correct resolutive strategy.  The assessment of such ability has a fundamental weight in the attribution of the final marks.  The student must pass in at least two of the three questions placed by the lecturer in order to pass the examination.

Teaching tools

LCD projector, overhead projector and PC are used in addition to the standard blackboard.

Office hours

See the website of Paolo Tortora