Space Flight Mechanics

Basic Concepts Peculiarities of space environment and its description– effect of space environment on materials of spacecraft structure and astronauts- manned space missions – effect on satellite life time. The solar system – reference frames and coordinate systems – terminology related to the celestial sphere and its associated concepts – Kepler’s laws of planetary motion and proofs of the laws –Newton’s universal law of gravitation - the many body problems, the celestial Sphere.

The General N-Body Problem The Ecliptic Motion of Vernal Equinox – Sidereal Time – Solar Time -Standard Time – The Earth’s Atmosphere. Study the basic concepts of orbital Mechanics with particular emphasis on interplanetary trajectories. The many body Problem – Lagrange, Jacobian identity The Circular Restricted Three Body Problem – Libration Points – Relative Motion in the N-body Problem – Two – Body Problem – Satellite Orbits – Relations Between Position and Time – Orbital Elements.

Satellite Injection and Satellite Orbit Perturbations General Aspects of satellite Injections, Satellite Orbit Transfer, Various Cases – Orbit Deviations Due to Injection – Errors – Special and General Perturbations – Cowbell’s Method- Neck’s Method - Method of vibrations of Orbital Elements- General Perturbations Approach.

Interplanetary Trajectories Two Dimensional Interplanetary Trajectories – Fast Interplanetary Trajectories – Three Dimensional Interplanetary Trajectories – 3-Dimensional Interplanetary Trajectories – Launch if Interplanetary Spacecraft – Trajectory estimation about the Target Planet, Concept of the sphere of influence, Lambert’s theorem.

Ballistic Missile Trajectories and Materials The Boost Phase-The Ballistic Phase – Trajectory Geometry- Optimal Flights – Time of Flight – Re-entry Phase – The Position of the Impact Point – Influence Coefficients. Space Environment - Peculiarities - Effect of Space Environment, the Selection of Spacecraft Material.