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.
Kinetics: Studying Spacecraft Motion
This course is part of Spacecraft Dynamics and Control Specialization
Instructor: Hanspeter Schaub
10,666 already enrolled
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(131 reviews)
What you'll learn
Derive the rotational equations of motion and predict and determine torque-free motion equilibria and associated stabilities
Develop equations of motion for a rigid body with multiple spinning components and derive and apply the gravity gradient torque
Apply the static stability conditions of a dual-spinner configuration and predict changes as momentum exchange devices are introduced
Derive equations of motion for systems in which various momentum exchange devices are present
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There are 4 modules in this course
The dynamical equations of motion are developed using classical Eulerian and Newtonian mechanics. Emphasis is placed on rigid body angular momentum and kinetic energy expression that are shown in a coordinate frame agnostic manner. The development begins with deformable shapes (continuous systems) which are then frozen into rigid objects, and the associated equations are thus simplified.
What's included
19 videos9 assignments
The motion of a single or dual rigid body system is explored when no external torques are acting on it. Large scale tumbling motions are studied through polhode plots, while analytical rate solutions are explored for axi-symmetric and general spacecraft shapes. Finally, the dual-spinner dynamical system illustrates how the associated gyroscopics can be exploited to stabilize any principal axis spin.
What's included
17 videos9 assignments
The differential gravity across a rigid body is approximated to the first order to study how it disturbs both the attitude and orbital motion. The gravity gradient relative equilibria conditions are derived, whose stability is analyzed through linearization.
What's included
7 videos3 assignments
The equations of motion of a rigid body are developed with general momentum exchange devices included. The development begins with looking at variable speed control moment gyros (VSCMG), which are then specialized to classical single-gimbal control moment devices (CMGs) and reaction wheels (RW).
What's included
7 videos4 assignments1 peer review
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Recommended if you're interested in Physics and Astronomy
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Colorado Boulder
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Reviewed on Sep 22, 2020
A good course to understand concept and practical evaluation process to useit on field.
Reviewed on Aug 28, 2020
great lectures highly recommended for space enthusiasts
Reviewed on Feb 25, 2019
excellent course content with knowledgeable professor. Challenging to learn and focused on both analytical theory and practical example.
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