Spacecraft relative motion control has many applications including rendezvous and docking, circumnavigation, on orbit assembly, servicing, etc. The course Spacecraft Relative Motion Kinematics and Kinetics covers the fundamentals of describing the motion of one spacecraft as seen by another spacecraft. A range of relative coordinates are investigated. Further, the course covers developing the differential equations of motion of the relative motion and considers a range of assumptions on separation distances. Finally, the impact of the J2 perturbation on the relative motion is studied.
Spacecraft Relative Motion Kinematics and Kinetics
Spacecraft Relative Motion Kinematics and Kinetics
This course is part of Spacecraft Formation Relative Orbits Specialization
Instructor: Hanspeter Schaub
Included with 
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Advanced level
Recommended experience
33 hours to complete
3 weeks at 11 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
What you'll learn
Describe relative motion with a range of coordinates
Understand standard relative orbit prototypes
Assess the impact of perturbations on the relative motion
Setup bounded relative orbits for a range of chief eccentricities
Skills you'll gain
Details to know
Shareable certificate
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Assessments
43 assignments
Taught in English
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This course is part of the Spacecraft Formation Relative Orbits Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
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There are 4 modules in this course
This week is a review of the fundamentals of un-perturbed Keplerian motion of a spacecraft. The material is taught at a fast pace assuming the learner has seen this matrial before.
What's included
16 videos2 readings10 assignments
This week you will learn the mathematics to derivate the variational equations of parameters that are invariants of the unperturbed problem.
What's included
12 videos5 assignments
This week you will explore the kinematics and kinetics of spacecraft relative motion.
What's included
34 videos17 assignments
In this final week, you will determine the naturally occurring relative orbit solutions for circular chief, eccentric chief and if J2 perturbations are present.
What's included
13 videos11 assignments
Instructor
Offered by
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