Jul 05, 2025  
Rensselaer Catalog 2025-2026 
    
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Rensselaer Catalog 2025-2026
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MANE 4100 - Spaceflight Mechanics

Introduction to spatial (3D) dynamics. Particle kinetics, Orbital kinematics, Reference frames for Astrodynamics, Frame transformation. 2-Body Problem, Kepler’s Laws and Kepler Equation, Circular Restricted 3-Body Problem, Lagrange Points, Stability. Orbit determination (Lambert’s Problem, Gibbs’ Method). Orbital Maneuvers (Plane-change maneuver, Hohmann Transfer, Rendezvous Transfer). Rocket Thrust, Rocket Design and Staging. Rigid Body Attitude Parametrization. Introduction to Analytical Mechanics. MATLAB/Simulink is used as a simulation-visualization aid.

Prerequisite: ENGR 2090 ,  MATH 2400 , and MANE 2110  

When Offered: SPRING TERM ANNUALLY

Graded: GRADED

Credit Hours: 4


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