Planetary Paths: Orbits in Operation

Course Description

ave you ever wondered how satellites stay suspended hundreds or even thousands of kilometers above the Earth without ever falling back down? Or how all the planets in our solar system remain bound to the Sun? Everyone has heard “because of gravity” as a response, but this course will investigate exactly what that means and how humanity has turned this property of the universe to our advantage. In this hands-on introduction to orbital mechanics, you will discover how spacecraft stay in orbit.

Each day, you will get to explore a new element of the principles of orbits. Starting with the fundamental physics that govern orbital motion, you will get the opportunity to participate in interactive demonstrations, experiments, and simulations that put the intricacies of orbital motion on full display. You will see how velocity, altitude, and orientation can all impact an orbit in their own way, and how they work together to create stable ones. As the course progresses, you will learn about orbital manoeuvres, actuator methods, and more!

In teams, you will take on the role of a mission design group tasked with planning the orbit for a new Earth-observation satellite. With support from undergraduate Aerospace Engineering students, you will experiment with trade-offs between altitude, inclination, and orbital period, and explore how each of these parameters affects your imaging resolution, mission lifetime, communication windows, and more! By the end of the week, you will present your team’s orbital design and explain to a panel of real space researchers how your choices support your mission goals.

Through this course, each of you will:
• Understand the foundational principles of orbital mechanics
• Explore the many real-world applications of satellites for purposes including observation, communication, navigation, and exploration
• Design and present your very own orbit for an Earth-observation satellite mission proposal

No specific math or physics background is required; just a passion for space exploration!