3 credits
Spring 2026 Lecture Upper Division
The design and operation of spacecraft is a multidisciplinary endeavor covering many aspects of engineering. This course introduces the physics of the orbits and the space environment near the Earth as well as mission trajectory analysis including constraints, launch windows, ground tracks, some communications and tracking, some constellations, relative motion and contingencies.
Learning Outcomes1Apply basic technical knowledge about spacecraft trajectory and architecture requirements.
2Understand the physics and demonstrate intuition behind motion in space.
3Design and characterize orbits.
4Define launch geometry, time windows, and maneuvers to reach the operative orbits.
5Retrieve orbital information from ground tracks and characterize spacecraft visibility from ground.
Prerequisites
Restrictions
made by Purdue students.