GENERAL INFORMATION

Title of the Course:   SPC 5013 Space Systems Astrodynamics

Course Code: SPC 5013      

Credits: 3

Course requirement(s): None     

Textbook: Curtis, H. D. (2020). Orbital mechanics for engineering students (4th ed.). Butterworth-Heinemann.                                            

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Principles of robotics, artificial intelligence and remotely controlled exploration, operation, observation and manipulation. Design of equipment for processing, manufacturing, maintaining and repairing equipment in space, and in lunar and planetary environments.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Students in this course will be able to do the following:

1. Describe the fundamental principles of point mass dynamics as they apply to orbital mechanics.
2. Explain two-body orbital motion using Newtonian mechanics and classical orbital elements.
3. Calculate the position of an object in orbit as a function of time using analytical or numerical methods.
4. Determine and describe a satellite’s three-dimensional orbit using state vectors and classical orbital elements.
5. Analyze orbital maneuvers by computing velocity changes and transfer trajectories.
6. Explain the principles of relative motion and apply them to spacecraft rendezvous scenarios.
7. Design interplanetary trajectories using patched-conic approximations and gravity-assist methods.
8. Evaluate the effects of three-body dynamics and perturbations on orbital behavior.
9. Demonstrate understanding of key astrodynamics concepts through written technical analysis and problem solving.

CONTENT AND ACTIVITIES

ASSESSMENT

University Grade Scale

Your total point value will be transformed to a percentage. A = 90-100%, B = 80-89%, C = 70-79%, D = 60-69%, F = 0-59%. Refer to the catalog for more details.

RESOURCES

• Access Peer-Reviewed Articles
• Go to the Evans Library – refer to the online librarian
• Click on "Databases” and "Journals” for additional resources
• Where to Find Extra Help: Student Success and Support Center

INSTITUTIONAL POLICIES

Academic Accommodations:  Florida Tech is committed to equal opportunity for persons w/disabilities in the participation of activities operated/sponsored by the university. Therefore, students w/documented disabilities are entitled to reasonable educational accommodations. The Office of Accessibility Resources (OAR) supports students by assisting w/accommodations, providing recommended interventions, and engaging in case management services. It is the student’s responsibility to make a request to OAR before any accommodations can be approved/implemented. Also, students w/approved accommodations are encouraged to speak w/the course instructor to discuss any arrangements and/or concerns relating to their accommodations for the class. 

Office of Accessibility Resources (OAR):

• Phone: 321-674-8285
• Email: accessibilityresources@fit.edu
• Website: edu - Accessibility Resources

Academic Honesty: Located in the Student Handbook

Academic honesty is highly valued in Florida Tech's online courses. The student must always submit work that represents original words or ideas. If any words or ideas are used that do not represent those original words or ideas, the student must cite all relevant sources and provide a clear definition of the extent to which such sources were used. Words or ideas that require citation include, but are not limited to, all hard copy or electronic publications, whether copyrighted or not, and all verbal or visual communication when the content of such communication clearly originates from an identifiable source. In the Florida Tech online course, all submissions to any public meeting bulletin board or private mailbox fall within the scope of words and ideas that require citations if used by someone other than the original author.

Academic dishonesty in an online learning environment could involve:

• Having a tutor or friend complete a portion of the student's assignments
• Having a reviewer make extensive revisions to an assignment
• Copying work submitted by another student to another public class meeting
• Using information from online information services without proper citation

Any of these practices could result in charges of academic dishonesty. For the complete Florida Tech policy on academic dishonesty, cheating, and plagiarism, see the Florida Tech Student Handbook.

Attendance: Attendance is required on a weekly basis. Students are expected to view the online lectures in the week they are offered, and to log onto the site often enough to remain abreast of the communication in the Inbox/Discussion or Announcements tab or direct information from the professor. It is the responsibility of the student to be aware of everything happening in the class online.

Course withdrawal: To withdraw prior to the start of class, you must contact your advisor. Once class begins, you must withdraw using Florida Tech's online student account system (PAWS). If you are a new student, PAWS access information will be provided prior to class start. You have the prerogative of dropping a course until the end of the first week of classes without receiving a grade of "W." After the first week, a grade of "W" will be assigned up until the final published date for withdrawing (the last day of Week 6). That grade will be reflected on your transcript, but not calculated into your grade point average. Withdrawals after Week 6 will result in a grade of "F." You are responsible for maintaining written evidence of all drops/withdrawals.

Telephone and email drops/withdrawals will not be accepted. The following table clearly outlines Florida Tech's withdrawal and refund policies. PAWS is accessible through the university portal TRACKS Florida Tech.

Table 1. Withdrawal Policy/Refund Chart

Student Code of Conduct: Florida Tech values a community based on the principles of integrity, civility, and respect. As such, the FIT community expects students to behave in a manner that supports these principles. The Student Code of Conduct is a document that describes behavior that is counteractive to these principles and how the university will hold students accountable to those inappropriate behaviors. See the Code of Conduct/Grounds for Disciplinary Action.

Sexual Harassment: Florida Tech is committed to the fundamental principles of academic freedom, equality of opportunity and human dignity. To fulfill its multiple missions as an institution of higher learning, FIT encourages a climate that values and nurtures collegiality, diversity, pluralism, and the uniqueness of the individual within our state, nation, and world. All decisions and actions involving students and employees should be based on applicable law and individual merit. FIT, in accordance with applicable federal and state law, prohibits discrimination, including harassment, on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, disability, age, or veteran status.

Title IX Statement:  The university’s Title IX policy is available at https://www.fit.edu/policies/title-ix/

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in federally funded education programs and activities.  Florida Institute of Technology policy also prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex.

Florida Tech faculty are committed to helping create a safe learning environment for all students that is free from all forms of discrimination and sexual harassment, including sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. If you, or someone you know, have experienced or is experiencing any of these behaviors, know that help and support are available.

Florida Tech strongly encourages all members of the community to take action, seek support, and report any incident of sexual harassment or gender discrimination to

David McMahan, Title IX Coordinator

• Phone: 321-674-7386
• e-mail: titleixcoordinator@fit.edu
• Office: Denius Student Center, Room 215

Please note that as your professor, I am required to report any incidents to the Title IX Coordinator.

If you wish to speak to an employee who does not have this reporting responsibility, please contact the Student Counseling Center at 321-674-8050.

Academic Accommodations:  Florida Tech is committed to equal opportunity for persons w/disabilities in the participation of activities operated/sponsored by the university. Therefore, students w/documented disabilities are entitled to reasonable educational accommodations. The Office of Accessibility Resources (OAR) supports students by assisting w/accommodations, providing recommended interventions, and engaging in case management services.  It is the student’s responsibility to make a request to OAR before any accommodations can be approved/implemented.  Also, students w/approved accommodations are encouraged to speak w/the course instructor to discuss any arrangements and/or concerns relating to their accommodations for the class.

Office of Accessibility Resources (OAR):

Phone: 321-674-8285

Email: accessibilityresources@fit.edu

Website: https://www.fit.edu/accessibility-resources

Recording Disclosure (Privacy Waiver): This course may be recorded for use by students and/or faculty. Enrolled students are subject to having their images and voices recorded during the classroom presentations, remote access learning, online course discussions, and remote office hours/meetings. Course participants should have no expectation of privacy regarding their participation in this class.  Recordings may not be reproduced, shared with those not registered in the courses, or uploaded to other online environments.  All recordings will be deleted at the conclusion of the academic term. 

Disaster Statement

School Closure

Florida Tech observes national holidays, and students are not required to participate in classes on such days. In the case of an emergency closure of Florida Tech, if classes can still operate, they will continue. If the Learning Management System is unavailable for maintenance reasons, classes will resume as quickly as possible, and students should check the Florida Tech Security website regularly for updates.

Natural Disaster

If a natural disaster impacts the Melbourne, Florida, area, all students should check the Florida Tech Security website or call (800) 888-4348 for updates.

If a natural disaster occurs near students’ residences, they should contact their professor and advisor. Final decisions on the appropriate timeline to complete course requirements are at the discretion of each professor.