675.771.81 - Space Mission Design and Navigation

Expanded Course Description

Prerequisites

Completion of EN.675.600 Systems Engineering for Space; EN.675.601 Fundamentals of Engineering Space Systems I and EN.675.650 Mathematics for Space or with approval of the instructor.

Course Structure

The course materials are divided into modules which can be accessed by clicking Course Modules on the left menu. A module will have several sections including the overview, content, readings, discussions, and assignments. You are encouraged to preview all sections of the module before starting. Most modules run for a period of seven (7) days, exceptions are noted in the Course Outline. You should regularly check the Calendar and Announcements for assignment due dates.

Course Topics

This course presents these two topics in an integrated manner, intended to provide space engineering professionals with a technical understanding of these complex subjects. Mission Design topics include the history of celestial mechanics, kinematics, Kepler’s Laws, Newton’s Law of gravitation, modeling of several fidelity levels of spacecraft trajectory dynamics, basic transfers, and initial orbit determination. Navigation topics include dynamics and measurement model formulations, standard estimation algorithms such as the Kalman filter and batch estimators, and performance analysis.

Course Goals

1. To take the first steps in developing the requisite skills of an entry-level mission design and navigation engineer.
2. Or, as a decision maker in the space domain, to develop the necessary mathematical background to competently evaluate space missions within the realm of these topics.

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

• Describe the origins of astrodynamics from its roots in celestial mechanics
• Transform an ordinary differential equation into first order form and integrate it
• Derive the equations of motion of the n-body problem
• State and define the classical orbital elements
• Implement and properly apply Gibb’s method and Lambert’s problem
• Use Lambert’s problem for basic maneuvering, and apply Hohmann’s transfer
• Implement Initial Orbit Determination Algorithms and apply them to simulated data
• Derive multiple types of measurement models and implement them in software
• State the properties of an observable system and test for system observability
• Derive Least Squares and Weighted Least Squares Estimators and implement them in software
• Derive and implement Kalman filters and test their statistical consistency in software
• Describe the properties of a Smoother and implement a linear Smoother in software
• Describe the most important properties of the GPS and implement a position solution from a set of GPS measurements in software
• State the properties of several advanced estimation routines and implement limited sets of the advanced routines in software

Textbooks

Required

1. Tapley, Byron, and Schutz, Bob, and Born, George, Statistical Orbit Determination, Elsevier Academic Press, 2004 (text to be purchased by student)
2. Prussing, J, and Conway, B., Orbital Mechanics, Oxford University Press, 1993. (text to be purchased by student)

Optional

1. Kaplan, Elliott, and Hegarty, Christopher, Understanding GPS Principles and Applications, Artech House, 2006
2. Misra, Pratap, and Per Enge. Global Positioning System: Signals, Measurements, and Performance. Ganga-Jamuna Press, 2006.
3. Montenbruck, Oliver, and Gill, Eberhard, Statistical Orbits Models, Methods, Springer, 2005
4. Vallado, David, Fundamentals of Astrodynamics and Applications, Springer, 2007
5. Kailath, Thomas, Linear Systems, Prentice-Hall, 1980
6. Bless, R.C., Discovering the Cosmos, University Science Books, 1993.

Required Software

MATLAB

You will need access to a recent version of MATLAB. The MATLAB Total Academic Headcount (TAH) license is now in effect. This license is provided at no cost to you. Send an email to software@jhu.edu to request your license file/code. Please indicate that you need a standalone file/code. You will need to provide your first and last name, as well as your Hopkins email address. You will receive an email from Mathworks with instructions to create a Mathworks account. The MATLAB software will be available for download from the Mathworks site.

Student Coursework Requirements

It is expected that each module will take approximately 10 hours to complete. The modules are on average 1-2 hours long, with assigned reading, homework, and intermittent quizzes and discussions. The final grade is approximately weighted based on the time we expect you to spend on each of these areas. The breakdown is as follows:

Weekly Homework Assignments: (70% of total grade)

• Each module will contain a graded assignment that students will complete
• Weekly assignments will vary depending on module learning objectives, but most will involve the generation of software in
• Grading will be based on correctness, and partial credit will be allocated based on the students ability to communicate their understanding of the material and how “close” their results are to the correct
• At a high level, these homework assignments will weight the submissions in the following way:

1. Each part of question is answered (20%)
2. Assumptions are clearly stated (10%)
3. Intermediate derivations and calculations are provided (45%)
4. Answer is technically correct and is clearly indicated (20%)
5. Answer precision and units are appropriate (5%)

• The homework assignments are graded as follows:
  • 100–90 = A—All parts of question are addressed; All assumptions are clearly stated; All intermediate derivations and calculations are provided; Answer is technically correct and is clearly indicated; Answer precision and units are appropriate.
  • 89–80 = B—All parts of question are addressed; All assumptions are clearly stated; Some intermediate derivations and calculations are provided; Answer is technically correct and is indicated; Answer precision and units are appropriate.
  • 79–70=C—Most parts of question are addressed; Assumptions are partially stated; Few intermediate derivations and calculations are provided; Answer is not technically correct but is indicated; Answer precision and units are indicated but inappropriate.
  • <70=F—Some parts of the question are addressed; Assumptions are not stated; Intermediate derivations and calculations are not provided; The answer is incorrect or missing; The answer precision and units are inappropriate or missing.

• Include a cover sheet with your name and assignment identifier. Also include your name and a page number indicator (i.e., page x of y) on each page of your submissions. Each problem should have the problem statement, assumptions, computations, and conclusions/discussion delineated. All Figures and Tables should be captioned and labeled appropriately.

Final Project- MD/Nav Architecture Design Competition: (20% of total grade)

• May be individual or in small teams of 2
• Will be a class-wide competition for the best
• A project description document will be generated later in the course. It will go into more details on the project and evaluation
• The course project is expected to be evaluated with the following grading elements:
  • Student preparation and participation (30%)
  • Student technical understanding of the course project topic (30%)
  • Team preparation and participation (20%)
  • Team final design meeting requirements (20%)

Quizzes and Online Discussions: (10% of total grade)

• Approximately every week, or every other week, depending on the final homework workload
• You are responsible for carefully reading all assigned material and being prepared for The majority of readings are from the course text. Additional reading may be assigned to supplement text readings.
• Post your initial response to the discussion questions by the evening of day 3 for that module week. Posting a response to the discussion question is part one of your grade for module discussions (i.e., Timeliness).
• Part two of your grade for module discussion is your interaction (i.e., responding to classmate postings with thoughtful responses) with at least two classmates (i.e., Critical Thinking). Just posting your response to a discussion question is not sufficient; we want you to interact with your classmates. Be detailed in your postings and in your responses to your classmates' postings. Feel free to agree or disagree with your classmates. Please ensure that your postings are civil and
• We will monitor module discussions and will respond to some of the discussions as discussions are posted. In some instances, we will summarize the overall discussions and post the summary for the
• Evaluation of preparation and participation is based on contribution to
• Preparation and participation is evaluated by the following grading elements:
  • Timeliness (50%)
  • Critical Thinking (50%)
  • Preparation and participation is graded as follows:
    • 100–90 = A—Timeliness [regularly participates; all required postings; early in discussion; throughout the discussion]; Critical Thinking [rich in content; full of thoughts, insight, and analysis].
    • 89–80 = B—Timeliness [frequently participates; all required postings; some not in time for others to read and respond]; Critical Thinking [substantial information; thought, insight, and analysis has taken place].
    • 79–70 = C—Timeliness [infrequently participates; all required postings; most at the last minute without allowing for response time]; Critical Thinking [generally competent; information is thin and commonplace]. 
    • <70 = F—Timeliness [rarely participates; some, or all required postings missing]; Critical Thinking [rudimentary and superficial; no analysis or insight is displayed].

Grading Policy

Assignments are due according to the dates posted in your Blackboard course site. You may check these due dates in the Course Calendar or the Assignments in the corresponding modules. We will post grades one week after assignment due dates.

We generally do not directly grade spelling and grammar. However, egregious violations of the rules of the English language will be noted without comment. Consistently poor performance in either spelling or grammar is taken as an indication of poor written communication ability that may detract from your grade, up to 50% of the assignment grade.

A grade of A indicates achievement of consistent excellence and distinction throughout the course—that is, conspicuous excellence in all aspects of assignments and discussion in every week.

A grade of B indicates work that meets all course requirements on a level appropriate for graduate academic work. These criteria apply to both undergraduates and graduate students taking the course.

Final grades will be determined by the weighting listed in each section above.

Academic Policies

Deadlines for Adding, Dropping and Withdrawing from Courses

Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar (https://ep.jhu.edu/student-services/academic-calendar/). Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course.

Academic Misconduct Policy

All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students.

This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.

Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility

Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.

For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services at Engineering for Professionals, ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu.

Student Conduct Code

The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically. 

For a full description of the code please visit the following website: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/policies-guidelines/student-code/

Classroom Climate

JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity. 
 
If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).

Course Auditing

When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team [EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu] in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.