Orbit Mechanics 2

(ECTS: 3; SWS: 2)

Lecturers

Univ.-Prof. Dr.phil.nat. Urs Hugentobler

Prerequisites

Lecture and Exercices Orbit Mechanics 1

Objectives

At the end of the module the students should understand the action of gravitational and non-gravitational perturbations on Earth satellites and should be able to compute the impact on satellite orbits. They should be able to apply methods of numerical orbit integration and understand the concept of analytical orbit theory. They should know the properties of special orbits and know the principles of orbit determination.

Contents (Lecture and Exercises)

Lecture:

- Gravitational perturbations by third bodies and Earth’s gravity field

- Special orbit types: geostationary, sun-synchronous, critical inclination, frozen orbits

- Non-gravitational perturbations, solar radiation pressure, Earth albedo, air drag

- Orbit determination

- Selected topics: orbit maneuvers, Lagrange points, swing-by

Labs with Matlab:

- Methods of numerical integration

- Force models

- Numerical integration of satellite orbits

- Analytical orbit theory: Hill-theory

Written lab reports are a requirement for the admission to the exam.

Downloads

Chapter 1: Radiation Pressure (757 KB)
Chapter 2: Air Drag (452 KB)
Chapter 3: Orbit Determination (175 KB)
Chapter 4: Probleme Restreint (359 KB)
Lecture Plan (21 KB)
Lagrange points: hill.m (2 KB)
Lagrange points: lagrangept.m (1 KB)
Lagrange points: stability.m (2 KB)