Course Summary
This course provides an introduction to spacecraft dynamics and control, covering topics such as orbital mechanics, attitude dynamics, and spacecraft control.Key Learning Points
- Learn the fundamentals of spacecraft dynamics and control
- Understand orbital mechanics and attitude dynamics
- Develop skills in spacecraft control
Related Topics for further study
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the fundamental principles of spacecraft dynamics and control
- Develop skills in orbital mechanics and attitude dynamics
- Apply spacecraft control techniques to real-world scenarios
Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course
- Basic knowledge of calculus and physics
- Familiarity with MATLAB or a similar programming language
Course Difficulty Level
IntermediateCourse Format
- Online
- Self-paced
Similar Courses
- Space Mission Design and Operations
- Spacecraft Structures and Mechanisms
- Spacecraft Power Systems
Related Education Paths
- Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering
- Master of Science in Space Studies
- Master of Science in Astronautical Engineering
Notable People in This Field
- Elon Musk
- Neil deGrasse Tyson
- Scott Kelly
Related Books
Description
As they tumble through space, objects like spacecraft move in dynamical ways. Understanding and predicting the equations that represent that motion is critical to the safety and efficacy of spacecraft mission development. Kinetics: Modeling the Motions of Spacecraft trains your skills in topics like rigid body angular momentum and kinetic energy expression shown in a coordinate frame agnostic manner, single and dual rigid body systems tumbling without the forces of external torque, how differential gravity across a rigid body is approximated to the first order to study disturbances in both the attitude and orbital motion, and how these systems change when general momentum exchange devices are introduced.
Outline
- Continuous Systems and Rigid Bodies
- Kinetics: Course Introduction
- Module 1 Introduction
- Overview of Kinetics
- 1: Continuous System Super Particle Theorem
- 2: Continuous System Kinetic Energy
- 3: Continuous System Linear Momentum
- 4: Continuous System Angular Momentum
- Optional Review: Continuous Momentum and Energy Properties
- 5: Rigid Body Angular Momentum
- 6: Rigid Body Inertia Tensor
- 6.1: Rigid Body Inertia about Alternate Points
- 6.2: Rigid Body Inertia about Alternate Body Axes
- 7: Rigid Body Kinetic Energy
- 8: Rigid Body Equations of Motion
- 8.1: Integrating Rigid Body Equations of Motion
- 8.2 Example: Slender Rod Falling
- (Tips for Solving Spring Particle Systems)
- Optional Review: Rigid Body Properties
- Optional Review: Rigid Body Equations of Motion
- Concept Check 1 - Super Particle Theorem
- Concept Check 2 - Kinetic Energy
- Concept Check 3 - Linear Momentum
- Concept Check 4 - Angular Momentum
- Concept Check 5 - Rigid Body Angular Momentum
- Concept Check 6 - Parallel Axis Theorem
- Concept Check 6.1 - Coordinate Transformation
- Concept Check 7 - Kinetic Energy
- Concept Check 8 - Equations of Motion
- Torque Free Motion
- Module 2 Introduction
- 1: Torque Free Motion Polhode Plots
- 1.1 Example: Special Polhode Plots
- 2: Torque Free Motion Axisymmetric Solution
- 3: Torque Free Motion General Inertia Case
- 4: Torque Free Motion Integrals of Motion
- 5: Torque Free Motion Phase Space Plots
- 5 Example: Phase Space Plots for Varying Energy Levels
- 6: Torque Free Motion Attitude Precession
- 6 Example: Phase Space Plot of Duffing Equation
- Optional Review: Torque Free Motion
- 7: Dual Spinner Equations of Motion
- 8: Dual Spinner Spin Equilibria
- 9: Dual Spinner Linear Stability
- 9 Example: Dual Spinner Stability
- 9.1: Spin Up Considerations
- Optional Review: Dual Spinner EOM and Equilibria
- Concept Check 1 - Rigid Body Polhode Plots
- Concept Check 2 - Torque Free Motion with Axisymmetric Body
- Concept Check 3 - Torque Free Motion General Inertia
- Concept Check 4 - Torque Free Motion Integrals of Motion
- Concept Check 5 - Torque Free Motion Phase Space Plots
- Concept Check 6 - Torque Free Motion Precession
- Concept Check 7 - Dual Spinner Equations of Motion
- Concept Check 8 - Dual Spinner Equilibria
- Concept Check 9 - Dual Spinner Linear Stability
- Gravity Gradients
- Module 3 Introduction
- 1: Gravity Gradient Torque Development
- 1.1: Gravity Gradient Torque in Body Frame
- 1.2: Gravity Gradient Net Spacecraft Force
- 2: Gravity Gradient Relative Equilibria Orientations
- 3: Gravity Gradient Linear Stability about Equilibria
- Extra Example: Gravity Gradient Polar Pear Mission
- Concept Check 1 - Gravity Gradient Derivation
- Concept Check 2 - Gravity Gradient Equilibria
- Concept Check 3 - Gravity Gradient Linear Stability
- Equations of Motion with Momentum Exchange Devices
- Module 4 Introduction
- 1: Introduction to Momentum Exchange Devices
- 1.2: Overview of Momentum Control Devices
- 2: VSCMG Equations of Motion Development
- 3: VSCMG Motor Torque Equations
- 4: VSCMG EOM Variations
- Optional Review of Momentum Exchange Devices
- Concept Check 1 - Overview of Momentum Exchange Devices
- Concept Check 2 - VSCMG Equations of Motion
- Concept Check 3 - VSCMG Motor Torque Equations
- Concept Check 4 - VSCMG EOM Variations
Summary of User Reviews
The Spacecraft Dynamics and Kinetics course on Coursera is highly recommended by many users. The course is very informative and covers a lot of topics related to spacecraft dynamics and mechanics. Users found the lectures engaging and the material easy to understand. Many users appreciated the practical examples and hands-on assignments that helped them apply the concepts learned in the course. Overall, the course received positive feedback from users.Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course
Users found the practical examples and hands-on assignments very helpful in applying the concepts learned in the course.Pros from User Reviews
- The course is very informative and covers a lot of topics related to spacecraft dynamics and mechanics.
- The lectures are engaging and the material is easy to understand.
- The practical examples and hands-on assignments help in applying the concepts learned in the course.
- The instructor is knowledgeable and responds to queries and doubts promptly.
Cons from User Reviews
- The course may be too technical for beginners.
- Some users found the course content to be outdated.
- The course may require a significant time commitment.
- The quizzes and assignments may be challenging for some users.
- The course may not be suitable for those looking for a high-level overview of spacecraft dynamics.
Hanspeter Schaub
4.8 Raiting
Kinetics: Studying Spacecraft Motion
- 4.8
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As they tumble through space, objects like spacecraft move in dynamical ways. After this course, you will be able to. ....
Spacecraft Dynamics Capstone: Mars Mission
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The goal of this capstone spacecraft dynamics project is to employ the skills developed in the rigid body Kinematics, Kinetics and Control courses....
