2021 Faculty Courses School of Engineering Undergraduate major in Mechanical Engineering
Introduction to Space Engineering
- Academic unit or major
- Undergraduate major in Mechanical Engineering
- Instructor(s)
- Saburo Matunaga / Hiroshi Furuya / Toshihiro Chujo / Ko Ogasawara
- Class Format
- Lecture
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 3-4 Wed (I121) / 3-4 Wed (I121)
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- MEC.M231
- Number of credits
- 200
- Course offered
- 2021
- Offered quarter
- 3-4Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 10, 2025
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
The fundamental elements of Space Engineering are explained as follows: Introduction to Space Systems, Space Environment, Coordinate and time systems, Kepler Orbit and 6 elements, Orbit transfer, Hill equation, Orbit Perturbation, Rocket Motion, and so on.
Course description and aims
To understand the fundamental elements of Space Engineering.
Student learning outcomes
実務経験と講義内容との関連 (又は実践的教育内容)
In this lecture, fundamental knowledge on space engineering is provided by professors and lecturers who have experiences about research and development of space science satellites in JAXA or rocket in MHI.
Keywords
Space Systems, Space Environment, Coordinate and time systems, Kepler Orbit and 6 elements, Orbit transfer, Hill equation for relative orbit motion, Orbit Perturbation, Rocket Motion, Reentry and so on.
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
Lecture and reports
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Introduction |
Space Environment, Coordinate and time systems |
| Class 2 | Two body problem |
Kepler Orbit |
| Class 3 | Orbital Elements |
Kepler's six Orbital Elements |
| Class 4 | Orbital position and velocity |
Orbital position and velocity of Spacecraft |
| Class 5 | Orbital relative motion |
Hill equation |
| Class 6 | In-plane orbit transfer |
Hohmann transfer Orbit |
| Class 7 | Out-plane orbit transfer |
Two or three-impulse orbit transfer |
| Class 8 | Rendevous and docking |
CW-solution |
| Class 9 | Orbit perturbation |
Orbit perturbation |
| Class 10 | Orbit planning |
Orbit design |
| Class 11 | Fundamental of Rocket motion |
Rocket propulsion and structure sizing |
| Class 12 | Rocket system |
Rocket orbit plan, system and major subsystem |
| Class 13 | Reentry |
Reentry example |
| Class 14 | GPS |
GPS and measurement |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
Suggested in lectures.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Kaplan, Modern Spacecraft Dynamics & Control, Wiley, 1976.
Chobotov (ed.), Orbital Mechanics, 2nd Ed., AIAA, 1996.
D.A.Valldo, Fundamentals of Astrodynamics and Applications, McGraw-Hill
V.R.Bond and M.C.Allman, Modern Astrodynamics, Princeton Univ Press, 1996.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Test and reports
Related courses
- LAS.M102 ： Linear Algebra I / Recitation
- LAS.M106 ： Linear Algebra II
- CVE.M201 ： Basic Mathematics for Physical Science
- LAS.M102 ： Linear Algebra I / Recitation
- LAS.M106 ： Linear Algebra II
Prerequisites
Solid understanding of mechanics, mathematical analysis and linear algebra is required.