University of Colorado Boulder
Spacecraft Dynamics Capstone: Mars Mission
University of Colorado Boulder

Spacecraft Dynamics Capstone: Mars Mission

Hanspeter Schaub

Instructor: Hanspeter Schaub

5,220 already enrolled

Included withCoursera Plus

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.6

(48 reviews)

Advanced level
Designed for those already in the industry
43 hours to complete
3 weeks at 14 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.6

(48 reviews)

Advanced level
Designed for those already in the industry
43 hours to complete
3 weeks at 14 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • Apply three-dimensional kinematics to create a mission-related orbit simulation and evaluate orbit frame orientation

  • Utilize knowledge of rigid body kinematics to determine attitude reference frames for different attitude pointing modes

  • Demonstrate the ability to numerically simulate spacecraft attitude dynamics and evaluate control performance

Details to know

Earn a career certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

11 assignments

Taught in English

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Placeholder

Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Spacecraft Dynamics and Control Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
  • Learn new concepts from industry experts
  • Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
  • Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
  • Earn a shareable career certificate
Placeholder
Placeholder

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV

Share it on social media and in your performance review

Placeholder

There are 5 modules in this course

The goal of this capstone spacecraft dynamics project is to employ the skills developed in the rigid body kinematics, kinetics and control courses. An exciting two-spacecraft mission to Mars is considered where a primary mother craft is in communication with a daughter vehicle in another orbit. The challenges include determining the kinematics of the orbit frame and several desired reference frames, numerically simulating the attitude dynamics of the spacecraft in orbit, and implementing a feedback control that then drives different spacecraft body frames to a range of mission modes including sun pointing for power generation, nadir pointing for science gathering, mother spacecraft pointing for communication and data transfer. Finally, an integrated mission simulation is developed that implements these attitude modes and explores the resulting autonomous closed-loop performance.

What's included

2 videos1 reading1 programming assignment

Tasks 1 and 2 use three-dimensional kinematics to create the mission related orbit simulation and the associated orbit frames. The introductory step ensures the satellite is undergoing the correct motion, and that the orbit frame orientation relative to the planet is being properly evaluated.

What's included

2 assignments2 programming assignments

Tasks 3 through 5 create the required attitude reference frame for the three attitude pointing modes called sun-pointing, nadir-pointing and GMO-pointing. The reference attitude frame is a critical component to ensure the feedback control drives the satellite to the desired orientation. The control employed remains the same for all three pointing modes, but the performance is different because different attitude reference frames are employed.

What's included

3 assignments3 programming assignments

Tasks 6 through 7 create simulation routines to first evaluate the attitude tracking error between a body-fixed frame and a particular reference frame of the current attitude mode. Next the inertial attitude dynamics is evaluated through a numerical simulation to be able to numerically analyze the control performance.

What's included

2 assignments2 programming assignments

Tasks 8-11 simulate the closed-loop attitude performance for the three attitude modes. Tasks 8 through 10 first simulate a single attitude at a time, while tasks 11 develops a comprehensive attitude mission simulation which considers the attitude modes switching autonomously as a function of the spacecraft location relative to the planet. Please note that the time it will take you to complete this module and the requisite tasks has increased from prior modules.

What's included

4 videos4 assignments4 programming assignments

Instructor

Instructor ratings
4.3 (15 ratings)
Hanspeter Schaub
University of Colorado Boulder
10 Courses33,443 learners

Offered by

Recommended if you're interested in Physics and Astronomy

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.
Learner since 2018
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."
Jennifer J.
Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."
Larry W.
Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."
Chaitanya A.
"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."

Learner reviews

Showing 3 of 48

4.6

48 reviews

  • 5 stars

    75%

  • 4 stars

    16.66%

  • 3 stars

    4.16%

  • 2 stars

    0%

  • 1 star

    4.16%

DM
4

Reviewed on Jun 1, 2021

AA
5

Reviewed on Apr 17, 2022

PB
5

Reviewed on May 24, 2024

Placeholder

Open new doors with Coursera Plus

Unlimited access to 7,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription

Advance your career with an online degree

Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online

Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business

Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy

Frequently asked questions