Houston, We Don’t Have a Problem: Designing Tools to Develop Intuition
Faculty Mentor Name
Kaela Martin
Format Preference
Poster
Abstract
Students studying astronautical engineering are expected to be capable of calculating an orbital trajectory based on initial conditions or data, but that doesn’t mean they have an intuitive feel for how each parameter affects the final orbit. By manipulating aspects of a spacecraft such as its launch conditions, thrust vector, or time of flight and immediately seeing the results of their manipulation, students can develop a sense of how various conditions affect spaceflight and make use of that intuition in the classroom and workplace. The purpose of this project is to develop a tool that allows for easy to use and easy to understand demonstrations of orbital mechanics. We start with a simple n-body propagator, using our solar system as the model, to establish baseline trajectories with just the initial conditions. Initial conditions will be linked to launch conditions, providing students with an understanding of how the spacecraft started its journey. Once basic orbits are established, we introduce more complicated maneuvers such as thrusting and gravity assists to provide broader intuition on deep space travel. Once students have used this software they should have a much deeper understanding of how the elements of spacecraft and mission design work together to create an orbital trajectory and be capable of designing a basic deep space mission using the tools provided.
- POSTER PRESENTATION
- ARIZONA SPACE GRANT AWARD
Location
ERAU - Prescott, AZ; AC1-Atrium, 11 am - 3 pm | Eagle Gym, 7 - 9 pm
Start Date
3-29-2019 11:00 AM
End Date
3-29-2019 9:00 PM
Houston, We Don’t Have a Problem: Designing Tools to Develop Intuition
ERAU - Prescott, AZ; AC1-Atrium, 11 am - 3 pm | Eagle Gym, 7 - 9 pm
Students studying astronautical engineering are expected to be capable of calculating an orbital trajectory based on initial conditions or data, but that doesn’t mean they have an intuitive feel for how each parameter affects the final orbit. By manipulating aspects of a spacecraft such as its launch conditions, thrust vector, or time of flight and immediately seeing the results of their manipulation, students can develop a sense of how various conditions affect spaceflight and make use of that intuition in the classroom and workplace. The purpose of this project is to develop a tool that allows for easy to use and easy to understand demonstrations of orbital mechanics. We start with a simple n-body propagator, using our solar system as the model, to establish baseline trajectories with just the initial conditions. Initial conditions will be linked to launch conditions, providing students with an understanding of how the spacecraft started its journey. Once basic orbits are established, we introduce more complicated maneuvers such as thrusting and gravity assists to provide broader intuition on deep space travel. Once students have used this software they should have a much deeper understanding of how the elements of spacecraft and mission design work together to create an orbital trajectory and be capable of designing a basic deep space mission using the tools provided.
- POSTER PRESENTATION
- ARIZONA SPACE GRANT AWARD