Educational content

1. Fundamentals of Space Flight Dynamics

Kepler and Newton laws

2-body and 3-body problems

Orbital elements

Time and terrestrial reference systems

2. Orbital Perturbations

Modelling of the gravitational field

Detailed effect of the main zonal term (J2)

Sun and Moon and planets gravitational perturbations effects (illustrations with GPS orbits)

Sune radiations

Solar pressure

3. Orbital Manoeuvres

Impulsive manoeuvres

Modification of the orbital elements

Hohmann orbital transfer

Rendezvous

Station keeping

Deorbitation

4. Orbit Design

Main types of Earth orbits and basic properties

Earth-phased orbits

Geosynchronous orbits

Sunsynchronous orbits

Grounds tracks

5. Satellite Constellations

Constellation design

Visibility coverage

DOP coverage

Launch and deployment of satellite constellations

Station positioning strategies

Satellite renewal strategies

Examples of satellite constellations

6. Formation Flying Missions

Design of a formation flying system

Station keeping strategies

Examples of formation flying missions

7. Introduction to Satellite Navigation Systems

Previous navigation systems (TRANSIT, LORAN C)

Presentation of GPS, GLONASS and GALILEO

Principles of satellite positioning systems

Geometric dilution of precision (GDOP, PDOP, HDOP, VDOP, TDOP)

User equivalent range error (UERE)

For information only : 27 hours