MAE 6720

Advanced Astrodynamics

Course Description

Course information provided by the 2026-2027 Catalog.

A graduate level course in astrodynamics and trajectory design. Course topics include a brief review of the two body problem, impulsive transfers, and perturbations; orbit determination and one-way ranging; algebraic and symplectic mappings and surfaces of section; the circular and elliptical 3-body problem, invariant manifolds and 3-body orbit design; secular and resonant perturbations; finite and continuous thrust modeling and transfer design. The course will emphasize numerical methods and building deep understanding of modern approaches to orbital design problems. Familiarity with basic orbital mechanics (at the level of MAE 4060 or equivalent) and numerical integration of dynamical systems will be assumed.

Enrollment Information Enrollment limited to: graduate and professional students.

Last 4 Terms Offered 2024FA, 2022SP, 2020SP, 2018SP

Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to understand the evolution of orbits of spacecraft and natural bodies in response to various forces.
• Students will be able to simulate and fit natural orbits and spacecraft trajectories using a variety of computational tools.
• Students will be able to understand the inner workings of modern orbit design and analysis tools.
• Students will be able to understand the dynamical behavior of planetary systems.

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