EMA 550 Astrodynamics
Spring 2007
Instructor:
Professor Gil Emmert
Office:
811 ERB
Tel:
262-0764
E-mail:
gaemmert@wisc.edu
Office Hours: To be determined after the first class
Catalog course description:
Coordinate system transformations, central force motion, two body problem, three and n-body
problem, theory of orbital perturbations, artificial satellites, elementary transfer orbits, and
elementary rocket dynamics.
Textbook: None. Lecture notes will be posted on the course web site and a list of recommended
references will be distributed.
Work expected of the students
Homework - roughly weekly for the first half of the semester
Project - due at the end of the semester
Two midterm exams
Final exam
Computer usage:
1. Some familiarity with computer math software (e.g. Matlab or Mathcad) is helpful and will
be assumed.
2. I will use Mathcad, Working Model (a general purpose dynamics simulation program), and
Satellite Tool Kit (a commercial satellite software package), for lecture demonstrations. All
of these are on the CAE server. A basic version of STK is available free from
http://www.agi.com.
3. You will be expected to make use of Matlab (or Mathcad or EESE), Working Model, and
STK in selected homework problems.
Final Exam: Wednesday, May 16; 12:25 – 2:25 PM
Grading Policy:
Midterm Exams (2)
20% each
Final Exam
30%
Project or Term Paper
15%
Homework
15%
You can access your grade during the semester at http://learnuw.wisc.edu. Log in with your NetID
username and password. The class list, with e-mail addresses, is also available at this web page.
Course Web Site:
http://courses.engr.wisc.edu/ecow/get/ema/550/gilbertemm/
The web site will be a repository of homework assignments and solutions, lecture notes and demos,
practice exams, exam solutions, useful WWW links, and other material related to the course. Some
sections of the web site will be password protected. The password will be given out in class.
Course Outline
1. Basic Concepts
Coordinate systems
Basic spherical trigonometry concepts
Time systems
Approximate number of lectures
2
2. Keplerian Orbits
Two body problem
Kepler’s laws
Elliptic, parabolic, and hyperbolic orbits
Kepler Equation
Speed and flight path angle
General view of orbits
3
3. Orbital Elements Sets
Types of element sets
Classical elements
Two line elements from NORAD
Transformation of orbital elements
3
4. Some Practical Aspects of Satellite Orbits
Classification of orbits
Examples of orbits
1
5. Lab Session on Using Working Model for Astrodynamics
1
6. Impulsive Orbital Maneuvers
Plane change
Hohmann transfer orbits
Bi-elliptic transfer orbits
Transfer Orbits with Plane Change
Fixed impulse maneuvers
2
7. Tutorial Computer Lab Session on STK
1
8. Lunar and Interplanetary Trajectories
Sphere of influence
Gravity-assist trajectories
Patched conic solutions
Three dimensional aspects of the solar system
4
9. Relative Motion
Spacecraft flybys and rendezvous
Three dimensional and interplanetary rendezvous
Relative Equations of Motion
Terminal phase of rendezvous
3
10. Orbit perturbations
Basic concepts
General theory
Variation of orbital parameters
Application of orbit perturbations
3
11. Three Body Systems and Lagrange Points
2