AE4874-I – Astrodynamics I  – Q1 – 4 ECTS
Taught by Eelco Doornbos, Kevin Cowan

Astrodynamics I is mostly covered by Eelco and leads you through some of the basics in astrodynamics. The course is based on mathematics but the focus is (luckily) not on the derivations but on the results of these mathematical computations. The majority of lectures contain the many-, three- and two-body problem and different orbits are handled. Furthermore, Hill spheres, orbit perturbations, radiation pressure and satellite aerodynamics are mentioned. This makes it an interesting mix of subjects.

This course has no assignments (which can be seen as an advantage or disadvantage) so the final grade will be purely based on the exam.

AE4872 – Satellite orbit determination – Q1 & Q2 – 6 ECTS
Taught by:  Ernst Schrama, Wouter van der Wal, Pieter Visser

Satellite orbit determination is a course which will run for two periods. The theoretical part will be handled in the first quarter while there is a practical in the second period. The theoretical part of the course has some overlap with the general GRS courses (e.g. atmospheric delay, coordinates, time), but even these overlapping parts will give some new insights. The major part of the course, however, is new for the GRS-student and handles relativity, dynamics, application of the Kalman filter and (some mathematics of) orbit determination itself. It is an interesting course which gives you a good insight in the (basics) of SOD. The practical is also very valuable because during this practical you will work with real satellite data.

The theoretical part contains 4 assignments and an exam at the end of the first quarter. The practical has 4 assignments that are not graded (in the first 4 weeks) which are the basis for the end assignment which results in a ‘fail’ or ‘pass’ for the practical.