This course is part of the Advanced Spacecraft Dynamics and Control Specialization

Hanspeter Schaub

Offered By

Advanced Spacecraft Dynamics and Control SpecializationUniversity of Colorado Boulder

About this Course

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This course is part 1 of the specialization Advanced Spacecraft Dynamics and Control. It is a direct continuation of the Coursera specialization Spacecraft Dynamics and Control.  This first course focuses on nonlinear attitude feedback control using a range of angular momentum devices.  The course provides a comprehensive review of prerequisite material.  Next it develops equations of motion of a spacecraft with momentum exchange devices such as reaction wheels (RWs), control momentum gyroscopes (CMGs) and variable speed control moment gyroscopes (VSCMGs). 
The course discusses developing a complex spacecraft simulation with a number VSCMGs and how to approach debugging such complex software.  The use of the work/energy theorem is discussed to assist with debugging the simulation by validating angular momentum, energy, changes in momentum and mechanical power. 

Further, the use of null motion is explored to reconfigure the attitude control devices to avoid singularities and gimbal lock.  The redundancy is exploited to seek control solutions that avoid classical CMG singularities.

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Course 1 of 3 in the

Advanced Spacecraft Dynamics and Control Specialization

Advanced Level

Graduate course on Spacecraft Dynamics and Control, background in vector calculus, linear algebra, basic differential equations.

Approx. 45 hours to complete

English

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What you will learn

Developing spacecraft equations of motion with momentum exchange devices
Writing and validating complex spacecraft simulations
Exploiting momentum device nullmotion to avoid singularities.

Skills you will gain

Variable Speed Control Moment Gyroscopes
Control Moment Gyroscopes (CMGs)
Nonlinear Attitude Control
RW Performance Envelopes
Reaction Wheels

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Coursera Labs

Includes hands on learning projects.

Learn more about Coursera Labs

Course 1 of 3 in the

Advanced Spacecraft Dynamics and Control Specialization

Advanced Level

Graduate course on Spacecraft Dynamics and Control, background in vector calculus, linear algebra, basic differential equations.

Approx. 45 hours to complete

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Instructor

Hanspeter Schaub

Glenn L. Murphy Chair in Engineering, Professor

Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences

28,730 Learners

7 Courses

Offered by

University of Colorado Boulder

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Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Week1

Week 1

4 hours to complete

Revisiting Basics of Spacecraft Kinematics

4 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 116 min)

8 videos

Welcome to the Course!2mVector Notation 17mAngular Velocity Vector4mVector Differentiation13m Direction Cosine Matrix7mPrincipal Rotation Vector17mEuler Parameters (Quaternions)23mModified Rodrigues Parameters (MRPs)29m

7 practice exercises

Vector Notation10mAngular Velocity Vector 10mVector Differentiation30mDirection Cosine Matrix10mPrincipal Rotation Vector20mEuler Parameters30mModified Rodrigues Parameters (MRPs)30m

Week2

Week 2

4 hours to complete

Revisiting Basics of Spacecraft Kinetics

4 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 101 min)

7 videos

Super Particle Theorem17mKinetic Energy6mMomentum of a General System4mRigid Body Rotational Angular Momentum10mInertia Matrix Properties53mRigid Bodies Equations of Motion3mRigid Body Kinetic Energy4m

7 practice exercises

Super Particle Theorem15mKinetic Energy10mMomentum of a General System10mRigid Body Rotational Angular Momentum 15mInertia Matrix Properties 30mRigid Bodies Equations of Motion45mRigid Body Kinetic Energy15m

Week3

Week 3

7 hours to complete

Revisiting the Basics of Nonlinear Spacecraft Control

7 hours to complete

11 videos (Total 158 min)

11 videos

Stability Definitions12mStability of a Linearized System14mDefinite Definitions14mLyapunov Functions12mStability Definitions of Time Dependent Systems4mStability Analysis of Time Dependent Systems22mRigid Body Detumbling16mRigid Body Detumbling (Part 2)13mLyapunov Functions for Attitude Coordinates7m3-Axis Attitude Feedback Control27mAsymptotic Convergence of Attitude Control11m

9 practice exercises

Stability Definitions15mStability of a Linearized System30mDefinite Definitions20mLyapunov Functions30mStability and Time Dependent Systems30mRigid Body Detumbling20mLyapunov Functions for Attitude Coordinates10m3-Axis Attitude Feedback Control1h 30mAsymptotic Convergence of Attitude Control20m

Week4

Week 4

14 hours to complete

VSCMG Dynamics

14 hours to complete

12 videos (Total 139 min)

12 videos

Motivation for Studying VSCMG's18mVSCMG Coordinate Frames14mVSCMG Momentum Vectors15mTime Varying Gimbal Frame Vectors15mVSCMG Equation of Motion Development9mVSCMG Equation of Motion Discussion16mRW Motor Torque Equation13mCMG Motor Torque Equation5mSingle RW or CMG Simplification8mSpacecraft with Multiple VSCMGs2mHow to Debug VSCMG Numerical Simulations9mWork/Energy Principle for VSCMGs8m

10 practice exercises

Motivation for Studying VSCMG's 10mVSCMG Coordinate Frames10mVSCMG Momentum Vectors45mTime Varying Gimbal Frame Vectors30mVSCMG Equations of Motion3hRW Motor Torque Equation30mCMG Motor Torque Equation10mSingle VSCMG Simulation4hSpacecraft Simulation with 4 VSCMGs2hWork/Energy Principle for VSCMGs30m

About the Advanced Spacecraft Dynamics and Control Specialization

This Specialization on advanced spacecraft dynamcis and control is intended for experienced spacecraft dynamics and GNC engineers and researchers. It is assumed the viewer has completed the prior spacecraft dynamics specialization already. Through 3 courses we cover the topics of momentum-based attitude dynamics and control, we derive analytical methods to model complex spacecraft systems, and finally conclude with a captstone project course. After this course you will be prepared to model the dynamics of spacecraft systems with time varying components (reacton wheels, CMS, deployable panels, etc.).

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
What is the refund policy?
If you subscribed, you get a 7-day free trial during which you can cancel at no penalty. After that, we don’t give refunds, but you can cancel your subscription at any time. See our full refund policy.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.
I have not complete the first coursera specialization on "Spacecraft Dynamics and Control". Can I jump right into this advanced version?
No, that is not recommended. This course assumes you know the content of the earlier courses and only provides a review of prerequisite material, not an in depth discussion.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

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Attitude Control with Momentum Exchange Devices

About this Course

What you will learn

Skills you will gain