ABSTRACT

The lecture will provide a general understanding of the basic concepts and mathematics that govern motion in space around a single, massive attractor in the framework of the Keplerian model. The ultimate goal is to provide a clear and concise understanding of orbital mechanics and the ability to design and recognize different types of orbits for a variety of space missions.The lecture will start introducing the concept of “orbit” and the Kepler’s laws that define its main properties. Then, it will guide through the key steps that reduce the complex problem of 3D motion of two masses under the Newton’s law of gravitation to an easily tractable problem consistent with Keplerian laws. This will be followed by an introduction to the orbital parameters, fundamental tool for geometrical representation of orbits in the Keplerian dynamics. It will be shown, through interactive examples, how the geometrical representation brings advantages in the design and recognition of orbits. A final overview on the time law, that relates the geometrical representation to the dynamics, will conclude the lecture.

BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Andrea Capannolo is a postdoctoral researcher at the ISAE-Supaero institute in Toulouse, France. He received his doctoral degree in Aerospace Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Milan in 2022, after earning his master’s degree in 2016 and his bachelor’s degree in 2013 from the same institution. Dr. Capannolo is an expert in the field of astrodynamics, with several years of experience in multi-gravity dynamics, irregular gravity fields, and trajectory design and optimization for deep-space applications and asteroid exploration. He has participated in multiple funded projects at the European level, including the design of a Martian constellation for Mars-Earth enhanced telecommunications and the mission design for the LICIACube spacecraft, which was embarked on NASA’s DART kinetic impactor to provide close-up images of the impact and ejecta evolution on the binary asteroid system “Didymos”. Currently, Dr. Capannolo is collaborating with the French space agency to design optimal transfers for rendezvous with the future Lunar orbiting outpost “Gateway”.