In this class, you will learn how to find your way in space. You will learn coordinate systems and coordinate transformations, so you will know where you are and where you are going. We will study rotational dynamics, rigid body equations of motion, their solutions and spacecraft rotational stability, so if you want to do sightseeing, you will know which direction to look. We will proceed to Newton?s law of gravity and the solution two-body problem, so you will know how to get around places. We will also cover the basics of orbital perturbations, so if someone disturbs your journey, you will not get lost. Finally, we will cover orbital maneuvers, their planning and execution, so if you want to go to multiple places, you will know when to change course, how much time it will take to get to your destination and how much it would cost. In each lecture, we will start with theory, and then proceed with applications supported by numerical examples in Python/Jupyter notebooks. During this class, we will be accumulating numerical examples that can be used together to solve progressively more complex problems in orbital and attitude dynamics. Prerequisites: CS 106A for Python; ENGR 15, (CME 100, CME 102) or (MATH 51, MATH 53); or equivalent classes with permission of the instructor.
3 units · Letter (ABCD/NP)
In this class, you will learn how to find your way in space. You will learn coordinate systems and coordinate transformations, so you will know where you are and where you are going. We will study rotational dynamics, rigid body equations of motion, their solutions and spacecraft rotational stability, so if you want to do sightseeing, you will know which direction to look. We will proceed to Newton?s law of gravity and the solution two-body problem, so you will know how to get around places. We will also cover the basics of orbital perturbations, so if someone disturbs your journey, you will not get lost. Finally, we will cover orbital maneuvers, their planning and execution, so if you want to go to multiple places, you will know when to change course, how much time it will take to get to your destination and how much it would cost. In each lecture, we will start with theory, and then proceed with applications supported by numerical examples in Python/Jupyter notebooks. During this class, we will be accumulating numerical examples that can be used together to solve progressively more complex problems in orbital and attitude dynamics. Prerequisites: CS106A for Python; ENGR 15, (CME 100, CME 102) or (MATH 51, MATH 53); or equivalent classes with permission of the instructor.
Offered in Spring 2026 at Stanford University.