Prerequisites: [4301, [4303W or ME 3281], IT upper div] or grad student

Kinematics/dynamics for six-degree of freedom rigid body motions. Euler's angles/equations. Torque free motion, spin stabilization, dual-spin spacecraft, nutation damping, gyroscopic attitude control, gravity gradient stabilization. Linear systems analysis, Laplace transforms, transfer functions. Linear control theory. PID controllers. Applications. MATLAB/Simulink simulations. Design project.

Textbook: Required: Atmospheric and Space Flight Dynamics: Modeling and Simulation with MATLAB and Simulink, Tewari, Birkhauser, ISBN: 978-0-8176-4373-7

Summary

NOTE: This course was 4302, but now has an added prerequisite of AEM 4303W or ME 3281.

This course is aimed at seniors in engineering but is also appropriate for first year graduate students with an interest in spacecraft attitude dynamics and control.

The course covers the kinematics and dynamics of rigid bodies in 3-dimensions. Understanding of 3-D motion of rigid bodies is necessary to mathematical modeling and analysis of the attitude motions of satellites and space vehicles. The course also provides an introduction to automatic control. Both passive methods of attitude stabilization and control such as gravity gradient and spin stabilization and active methods such as reaction wheels, thrusters, magnetic torque, and gyroscopes are studied. Matlab and Simulink are used extensively to simulate the spacecraft dynamics.

The grade is based on homework assignments, two exams, and a final design project. The final project will consist of the design of an attitude control system for a spacecraft.