This course deals with 1.Two Body Orbital Mechanics: Introduction, Two Body Problem, Constants of Motion, Conservation of Angular Momentum, Conservation of Energy, Conic Sections, Trajectory Equation, Eccentricity Vector, Energy and Semi major Axis, Elliptical Orbit, Ellipse Geometry, Flight Path Angle and Velocity Components, Period of an Elliptical Orbit, Circular Orbit, Parabolic Trajectory, Hyperbolic Trajectory

2. Orbit Determination: Introduction, Coordinate Systems, Classical Orbital Elements, Transforming Cartesian Coordinates to Orbital Elements, Transforming Orbital Elements to Cartesian Coordinates, Coordinate Transformations, Ground Tracks, Orbit Determination from One Ground-Based Observation, Orbit Determination from Three Position Vectors.

3. Time of Flight: Introduction, Kepler’s Equation, Time of Flight Using Geometric Methods, Time of Flight Using Analytical Methods, Relating Eccentric and True Anomalies, Parabolic and Hyperbolic Time of Flight, Kepler’s Problem, Orbit Propagation using Lagrangian coefficients, Lambert’s Problem.

4. Non Keplerian Motion: Introduction, Special Perturbation Methods, Non Spherical Central Body, General Perturbation Methods, Lagrange’s Variation of Parameters, Gauss’ Variation of Parameters, Perturbation Accelerations for Earth Satellites, Non Spherical Earth, Atmospheric Drag, Solar Radiation Pressure. 15 LecturesUnit V: Examples, Seminars and group discussion on the above four units.

Recommended books : 1.CraigKluever , Space Flight Dynamics, Wiley 2018.

Reference Books : 1. William Tyrrell Thomson, Introduction to Space Dynamics, Dover publication , New York

2. Gerhard, Methods of Celestial Mechanics, Vol. II, Springer.

3. George W. Collins, The Foundations of Celestial Mechanics, Pachart Foundation dba Pachart Publishing House.