University of Colorado Boulder
Kinematics: Describing the Motions of Spacecraft

Give your career the gift of Coursera Plus with $160 off, billed annually. Save today.

University of Colorado Boulder

Kinematics: Describing the Motions of Spacecraft

Hanspeter Schaub

Instructor: Hanspeter Schaub

25,035 already enrolled

Included with Coursera Plus

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.9

(326 reviews)

Advanced level
Designed for those already in the industry
Flexible schedule
Approx. 28 hours
Learn at your own pace
94%
Most learners liked this course
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.9

(326 reviews)

Advanced level
Designed for those already in the industry
Flexible schedule
Approx. 28 hours
Learn at your own pace
94%
Most learners liked this course

What you'll learn

  • Differentiate a vector as seen by another rotating frame and derive frame dependent velocity and acceleration vectors

  • Apply the Transport Theorem to solve kinematic particle problems and translate between various sets of attitude descriptions

  • Add and subtract relative attitude descriptions and integrate those descriptions numerically to predict orientations over time

  • Derive the fundamental attitude coordinate properties of rigid bodies and determine attitude from a series of heading measurements

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

36 assignments

Taught in English

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Placeholder

Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Spacecraft Dynamics and Control Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
  • Learn new concepts from industry experts
  • Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
  • Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
  • Earn a shareable career certificate
Placeholder
Placeholder

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV

Share it on social media and in your performance review

Placeholder

There are 4 modules in this course

This module covers particle kinematics. A special emphasis is placed on a frame-independent vectorial notation. The position velocity and acceleration of particles are derived using rotating frames utilizing the transport theorem.

What's included

13 videos3 assignments

This module provides an overview of orientation descriptions of rigid bodies. The 3D heading is here described using either the direction cosine matrix (DCM) or the Euler angle sets. For each set the fundamental attitude addition and subtracts are discussed, as well as the differential kinematic equation which relates coordinate rates to the body angular velocity vector.

What's included

18 videos1 reading10 assignments

This module covers modern attitude coordinate sets including Euler Parameters (quaternions), principal rotation parameters, Classical Rodrigues parameters, modified Rodrigues parameters, as well as stereographic orientation parameters. For each set the concepts of attitude addition and subtraction is developed, as well as mappings to other coordinate sets.

What's included

29 videos18 assignments

This module covers how to take an instantaneous set of observations (sun heading, magnetic field direction, star direction, etc.) and compute a corresponding 3D attitude measure. The attitude determination methods covered include the TRIAD method, Devenport's q-method, QUEST as well as OLAE. The benefits and computation challenges are reviewed for each algorithm.

What's included

13 videos5 assignments1 peer review

Instructor

Instructor ratings
5.0 (102 ratings)
Hanspeter Schaub
University of Colorado Boulder
10 Courses33,630 learners

Offered by

Recommended if you're interested in Physics and Astronomy

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.
Learner since 2018
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."
Jennifer J.
Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."
Larry W.
Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."
Chaitanya A.
"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."

Learner reviews

Showing 3 of 326

4.9

326 reviews

  • 5 stars

    90.79%

  • 4 stars

    7.05%

  • 3 stars

    0.92%

  • 2 stars

    0.92%

  • 1 star

    0.30%

SM
5

Reviewed on Oct 18, 2017

DA
5

Reviewed on Jun 2, 2019

DM
5

Reviewed on Nov 9, 2021

Placeholder

Open new doors with Coursera Plus

Unlimited access to 7,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription

Advance your career with an online degree

Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online

Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business

Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy

Frequently asked questions