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University of Colorado Boulder

Kinetics: Studying Spacecraft Motion

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. After this course, you will be able to... *Derive from basic angular momentum formulation 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 Please note: this is an advanced course, best suited for working engineers or students with college-level knowledge in mathematics and physics. The material covered is taking from the book "Analytical Mechanics of Space Systems" available at https://arc.aiaa.org/doi/book/10.2514/4.105210.

Status: Differential Equations
Status: Simulation and Simulation Software
AdvancedCourse21 hours

Featured reviews

O

5.0Reviewed May 17, 2021

It's a well taught course that would otherwise have proved much more difficult.

JP

5.0Reviewed Sep 22, 2020

A good course to understand concept and practical evaluation process to useit on field.

RS

4.0Reviewed Aug 16, 2020

Great teacher, great course. I recommend studying with the book since it's not an easy topic.The first course was a bit better since there were more programming exercises to train.

NB

5.0Reviewed Feb 25, 2019

excellent course content with knowledgeable professor. Challenging to learn and focused on both analytical theory and practical example.

RP

5.0Reviewed Aug 24, 2021

Good course. Buying the book by Prof. Schaub will help you a lot in succeeding in this course.

PJ

5.0Reviewed Dec 20, 2025

I was able to understand the course and content with respect to kinetics. This course was knowledgeable and elaborative. Thank you for this course!!

MK

5.0Reviewed Aug 28, 2020

great lectures highly recommended for space enthusiasts

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