Particle and Astroparticle Physics

PAGE UPDATED SEPTEMBER the 21st of September 2010

Dynamics of Space Crafts

Rymdfarkosters dynamik

SH2771

While kinematics is the branch of classical mechanic which describes the motion of objects, dynamics refers to relationships between the motion of objects and its causes. Spacecraft dynamics studies how the satellite or space probe is affected by a variety of interactions and how to control these. It is not just the attitude of the spacecraft (roll, yaw, pitch), but also how to stay in special orbits or trajectories using "gravitational highways", Lagrangian points, etc. Since the pointing of the spacecraft often is very important, special attention is paid to attitude control. This includes how to determine the attitude, avoiding getting "lost in space" and to control and correct it using e.g. reaction wheels, ion propulsion. Much of the course Dynamics of Space Crafts also applies to the dynamics of aeronautical vehicles.

ECTS points: 9
Level: D
Grade: A-F
Language: English

When, where and how:



W       8/9     10-12 (done)

Th 9/9 10-12

Th 16/9 10-12

Th 23/9 10-12

W 29/9 13-15

Th 30/9 10-12

W 6/10 13-15

Th 7/10 10-12

Tue 12/10 10-12 (note!!)

W 13/10 10-12 (Dr. Sven Grahn of the Swedish Space Corporation will talk)

W 13/10 13-15 (Dr. Christer Fuglesang will talk -- lecture room D2 at the main KTH Campus)

Th 14/10 10-12

W 20/10 10-12 ()

M 1/11 9-13 (exam)

Lecture room 5A:1003 Department of Physics, Particle and Astroparticle Physics, AlbaNova University Centre. Contact: Prof Thomas Lindblad, +46730499930

Details:

As mentioned the course is defined by the chapters in the course book and the handsouts from my lectures and from your own project presentations. These may, and should, be brought to the exam. I have sent pdf-versions to all email adresses I have obtained for registred participants. If you are missing some parts, please contact me or one of your fellow students. At the exam no other books than the one mentioned nor and other documents but the course handsouts are allowed. The second part of the exam will be a closed book part.

Priliminary we have the following projects

Conventional Thrusters, i.e. chemical propellants
Nuclear Propulsion Systems, including electrical generators
Eulers angles, use and applications
Lagrangian Points Orbits
Rendez-vous and attitude control in connection with this
Lost in space, overview plus special study case
Star trackers
Deep Space Probes and special attitude problems
Ion Propulsion Thrusters
Reaction Wheels
Attitude Control depending on Mission
Landing on the Moon and/or planets
Dynamics of Interplanetary Travels
Intergalactical Highways
A Case Study

Goal

Following this course the student should have good knowledge of the forces that works on a satellite in orbit, or a deep space probe for that matter, how these effects can be monitored and controlled. This "know how" will include when and how to use horizon detectors, star trackers, etc; the algorithms to calculate attitude corrections and the devices to make the satellite change its attitude and keep it. The latter will include devices from chemical thrusters to ion propulsion attitude control. Special properties of several propulsion systems will be discussed: Attitude control, orbital adjustments, etc.

Attitude control is important for all satellites and spacecrafts. Lost in space is not nice! Nutation is a general problem, although not as bad as lost in space! Anyhow, nutation should be damped and the nutation angle should be small. (Flat spin is no fun either) But Lagrangian point orbits are both fun and interesting.

Contents

Satellite Orbits - Dynamic Systems Modelling - Dynamic Systems Control - Orbital Dynamics and Control - Orbital Dynamics - Orbital Manoeuvres and Control - Attitude Dynamics and Control - Lagrangian Points - Algorithms - Rotational Kinematics - Rigid Body Dynamics - Rotational Manoeuvres and Attitude Control - Euler Motion - Nutation and Nutation Control - Structural Dynamics and Control - Structural Dynamics - Attitude and Structural Control - Robust Optimal Manoeuvres – Thrusters – Reaction Wheels - Lost in Space - Flat Spin

Course Prerequisite

You should have read SD2805 Flight Mechanics and SD2815 Rocket Science or equivalent courses.

Examination

One written or oral exam (TEN1). Here is an example of the exam 2008 with suggested directions for how to solve the problems.
Project Work (PRO1) including oral (or possibly written) presentation. This will typically be one of the chapters of the course book

Litterature

Handouts and other material presented during the course lectures. You will do pretty good with these handouts.

Spaceflight Dynamics, William E. Wiesel, McGraw-Hill, 2nd edition, 1997. I will try to find a better book though. Probably a book like B. Wie, Space Vehicle Dynamics and Control, AIAA Education Series, 1998, will do better for most of you. It is a very good book in my view!

When to Register?

You are urged to do “kursval” asap and then register with the Physics Department, Students Office, 5^th floor, AlbaNova. However, registration is also possible at the very first lecture (see above), AlbaNova, room A5:1003. Welcome!