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Module 2: Orbital Mechanics and Mission Design

Duration: 8 Weeks
Goal: Master orbital mechanics for satellite operations and interplanetary mission planning.

🎓 Learning Path

Start with the interactive notebooks in the Learn/ folder:

Notebook Topics Covered Time
01_Interplanetary_Travel.ipynb Hohmann transfers, Delta-V, Launch windows 1-2 hours

🚀 Projects

Want a single launcher? The repo includes a browser-friendly Dashboard Hub (Binder) that links all dashboards + simulations.
(These Module 2 simulators still run best locally because they open interactive windows/plots.)

1. Starlink Orbit Propagator

Propagate satellite orbits with real physics:

  • J2 perturbation effects
  • Ground track visualization
  • Multi-constellation support (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, etc.)
cd Projects/Starlink_Propagator
python propagator.py

2. Mars Mission Simulator

Complete Earth-to-Mars mission simulation:

  • Animated Hohmann transfer
  • Entry, Descent, Landing (EDL) simulation
  • Porkchop plot analysis
  • Historical mission data
cd Projects/Starship_Trajectory_Planner
python mission_planner.py

📚 Key Concepts

Orbital Elements

  • Semi-major axis (a) - orbit size
  • Eccentricity (e) - orbit shape
  • Inclination (i) - orbit tilt

Key Equations

Vis-Viva Equation: $$v = \sqrt{\mu\left(\frac{2}{r} - \frac{1}{a}\right)}$$

Hohmann Transfer Time: $$T = \pi\sqrt{\frac{a^3}{\mu}}$$

Orbital Period: $$T = 2\pi\sqrt{\frac{a^3}{\mu}}$$

🌍 Real Mission Data Included

Mission Agency Type
Starlink SpaceX LEO Internet
GPS US Space Force Navigation
Galileo ESA Navigation
BeiDou CNSA Navigation
Perseverance NASA Mars Rover
Tianwen-1 CNSA Mars Orbiter+Rover

🛠️ Setup

pip install numpy matplotlib scipy

"The universe is a pretty big place. If it's just us, seems like an awful waste of space." — Carl Sagan