Orbital Mechanics
Transfer orbits, rendezvous trajectories, and interplanetary mission design
About This Program
A mathematically rigorous program covering the two-body problem, Keplerian orbits, orbital maneuvers, patched conics for interplanetary trajectories, and spacecraft rendezvous. Students compute real mission trajectories and develop an intuitive understanding of orbital dynamics through computational exercises.
Curriculum
The two-body problem and Kepler's laws
Orbital elements, coordinate frames, and time systems
Hohmann, bi-elliptic, and plane change maneuvers
Patched conic method for lunar and interplanetary trajectories
Lambert's problem and orbit determination
Relative motion, Clohessy-Wiltshire equations, and rendezvous
Perturbation analysis: J2, atmospheric drag, and solar radiation pressure
Tools & Software
What You'll Achieve
- ISRO Accredited Certificate in Orbital Mechanics
- Complete a mission trajectory design from Earth to Mars
- Computational astrodynamics programming skills
- Co-authorship on orbital mechanics research paper
Program Trajectories
- Orbital fundamentals
- Keplerian motion
- Certificate
- Full astrodynamics curriculum
- GMAT simulation project
- Maneuver design
- LOR
- Interplanetary trajectory design
- Research paper
- Perturbation analysis
- ISRO certificate
- 1-on-1 mentorship
- Published paper
- Mission design portfolio
- Industry referral