Kinematics: Describing the Motions of Spacecraft
- 4.9
-
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
Approx. 28 hours to complete
Course Summary
This course provides an overview of spacecraft dynamics and kinematics, covering topics such as orbital mechanics, attitude dynamics, and spacecraft navigation. Students will gain insights into the design and operation of spacecraft, including how to control their movement and maintain their position in space.Key Learning Points
- Learn about the fundamental principles of spacecraft dynamics and kinematics
- Gain insights into orbital mechanics, attitude dynamics, and spacecraft navigation
- Explore the design and operation of spacecraft, including how to control their movement and maintain their position in space
Related Topics for further study
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the principles of spacecraft dynamics and kinematics
- Apply knowledge of orbital mechanics, attitude dynamics, and spacecraft navigation to spacecraft design and operation
- Develop strategies for controlling spacecraft movement and maintaining their position in space
Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course
- Basic understanding of physics and calculus
- Familiarity with programming in MATLAB or Python
Course Difficulty Level
IntermediateCourse Format
- Online
- Self-paced
- Video lectures
- Assignments
- Quizzes
Similar Courses
- Introduction to Aerospace Engineering
- Space Mission Design and Operations
- Aircraft Systems Engineering
Related Education Paths
Notable People in This Field
- Founder and CEO of SpaceX
- Astronaut
Related Books
Description
The movement of bodies in space (like spacecraft, satellites, and space stations) must be predicted and controlled with precision in order to ensure safety and efficacy. Kinematics is a field that develops descriptions and predictions of the motion of these bodies in 3D space. This course in Kinematics covers four major topic areas: an introduction to particle kinematics, a deep dive into rigid body kinematics in two parts (starting with classic descriptions of motion using the directional cosine matrix and Euler angles, and concluding with a review of modern descriptors like quaternions and Classical and Modified Rodrigues parameters). The course ends with a look at static attitude determination, using modern algorithms to predict and execute relative orientations of bodies in space.
Outline
- Introduction to Kinematics
- Professor Introduction
- Kinematics Course Introduction
- Module One: Particle Kinematics Introduction
- 1: Particle Kinematics
- Optional Review: Vectors, Angular Velocities, Coordinate Frames
- 2: Angular Velocity Vector
- 3: Vector Differentiation
- 3.1: Examples of Vector Differentiation
- 3.2: Example of Planar Particle Kinematics with the Transport Theorem
- 3.3: Example of 3D Particle Kinematics with the Transport Theorem
- Optional Review: Angular Velocities, Coordinate Frames, and Vector Differentiation
- Optional Review: Angular Velocity Derivative
- Optional Review: Time Derivatives of Vectors, Matrix Representations of Vector
- Concept Check 1 - Particle Kinematics and Vector Frames
- Concept Check 2 - Angular Velocities
- Concept Check 3 - Vector Differentiation and the Transport Theorem
- Rigid Body Kinematics I
- Module Two: Rigid Body Kinematics Part 1 Introduction
- 1: Introduction to Rigid Body Kinematics
- 2: Directional Cosine Matrices: Definitions
- 3: DCM Properties
- 4: DCM Addition and Subtraction
- 5: DCM Differential Kinematic Equations
- Optional Review: Tilde Matrix Properties
- Optional Review: Rigid Body Kinematics and DCMs
- 6: Euler Angle Definition
- 7: Euler Angle / DCM Relation
- 7.1: Example: Topographic Frame DCM Development
- 8: Euler Angle Addition and Subtraction
- 9: Euler Angle Differential Kinematic Equations
- 10: Symmetric Euler Angle Addition
- Optional Review: Euler Angle Definitions
- Optional Review: Euler Angle Mapping to DCMs
- Optional Review: Euler Angle Differential Kinematic Equations
- Optional Review: Integrating Differential Kinematic Equations
- Eigenvector Review
- Concept Check 1 - Rigid Body Kinematics
- Concept Check 2 - DCM Definitions
- Concept Check 3 - DCM Properties
- Concept Check 4 - DCM Addition and Subtraction
- Concept Check 5 - DCM Differential Kinematic Equations (ODE)
- Concept Check 6 - Euler Angles Definitions
- Concept Check 7 - Euler Angle and DCM Relation
- Concept Check 8 - Euler Angle Addition and Subtraction
- Concept Check 9 - Euler Angle Differential Kinematic Equations
- Concept Check 10 - Symmetric Euler Angle Addition
- Rigid Body Kinematics II
- Module Three: Rigid Body Kinematics Part 2 Introduction
- 1: Principal Rotation Parameter Definition
- 2: PRV Relation to DCM
- 3: PRV Properties
- Optional Review: Principal Rotation Parameters
- 4: Euler Parameter (Quaternion) Definition
- 5: Mapping PRV to EPs
- 6: EP Relationship to DCM
- 7: Euler Parameter Addition
- 8: EP Differential Kinematic Equations
- Optional Review: Euler Parameters and Quaternions
- 9: Classical Rodrigues Parameters Definitions
- 10: CRP Stereographic Projection
- 11: CRP Relation to DCM
- 12: CRP Addition and Subtraction
- 13: CRP Differential Kinematic Equations
- 14: CRPs through Cayley Transform
- Optional Review: CRP Properties
- 15: Modified Rodrigues Parameters Definitions
- 16: MRP Stereographic Projection
- 17: MRP Shadow Set Property
- 18: MRP to DCM Relation
- 19: MRP Addition and Subtraction
- 20: MRP Differential Kinematic Equation
- 21: MRP Form of the Cayley Transform
- Optional Review: MRP Definitions
- Optional Review: MRP Properties
- 22: Stereographic Orientation Parameters Definitions
- Optional Review: SOPs
- Concept Check 1 - Principal Rotation Definitions
- Concept Check 2 - Principal Rotation Parameter relation to DCM
- Concept Check 3 - Principal Rotation Addition
- Concept Check 4 - Euler Parameter Definitions
- Concept Check 5, 6 - Euler Parameter Relationship to DCM
- Concept Check 7 - Euler Parameter Addition
- Concept Check 8 - EP Differential Kinematic Equations
- Concept Check 9 - CRP Definitions
- Concept Check 10 - CRPs Stereographic Projection
- Concept Check 11, 12 - CRP Addition
- Concept Check 13 - CRP Differential Kinematic Equations
- Concept Check 15 - MRPs Definitions
- Concept Check 16 - MRP Stereographic Projection
- Concept Check 17 - MRP Shadow Set
- Concept Check 18 - MRP to DCM Relation
- Concept Check 19 - MRP Addition and Subtraction
- Concept Check 20 - MRP Differential Kinematic Equation
- Static Attitude Determination
- Module Four: Static Attitude Determination Introduction
- 1: Attitude Determination Problem Statement
- 2: TRIAD Method Definition
- 2.1: TRIAD Method Numerical Example
- 3: Wahba's Problem Definition
- 4: Devenport's q-Method
- 4.1: Example of Devenport's q-Method
- 5: QUEST
- 5.1: Example of QUEST
- 6: Optimal Linear Attitude Estimator
- 6.1: Example of OLAE
- Optional Review: Attitude Determination
- Optional Review: Attitude Estimation Algorithms
- Concept Check 1 - Attitude Determination
- Concept Check 2 - TRIAD Method
- Concept Check 3, 4 - Devenport's q-Method
- Concept Check 5 - QUEST Method
- Concept Check 6 - OLAE Method
Summary of User Reviews
Find out what students are saying about Coursera's Spacecraft Dynamics and Kinematics course. Learn about the overall reviews, key aspects, pros and cons that students have shared.Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course
The course content is well-structured and easy to follow.Pros from User Reviews
- Great course for those interested in spacecraft dynamics and kinematics.
- The instructor provides clear explanations and examples.
- The assignments and quizzes are challenging but rewarding.
- The course provides a solid foundation for further study in the field.
- The course is accessible to students of varying levels of expertise.
Cons from User Reviews
- Some students may find the course pace too fast.
- There could be more opportunities for interaction with other students.
- The course may require more time commitment than other online courses.
- Some students may find the material too technical or difficult to understand.
- The course may not be suitable for those seeking a more general overview of spacecraft dynamics and kinematics.
Hanspeter Schaub
4.9 Raiting
Kinematics: Describing the Motions of Spacecraft
- 4.9
-
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
The movement of bodies in space (like spacecraft, satellites, and space stations) must be predicted and controlled with precision in order to ensure safety and efficacy....
