ACAN Basics of Interplanetary Flight
Course Objectives

This list is more detailed than the high-level objectives mapped to sessions in the Syllabus. Items marked with an asterisk * might be intentionally skipped over in class sssions. Each classmember should research the item in the online text, and/or elsewhere on the web, and bring any questions up in class. Classmember may, if desired, present the subject informally during a class session, given a go-ahead from the instructor.		Use pencil and update as course proceeds
Objective:		How new is this to me? 1 - 10	How well can I explain it to someone? 1 - 10	Comments
1001	Describe the sun.
1002	Relate the Sun's share of mass, radiation, magnetism, within the solar system.
1003	Describe the solar system.
1004*	State distances of solar system objects in light- time.
1005	Describe the environment in which the solar system resides.
1006	Describe each of the planets.
1007	Describe the more interesting moons of the planets.
1008	Describe asteroids.
1009	Describe comets.
1010	Describe Kuiper belt objects.
1011	Describe the Oort cloud.
1012*	Describe the materials brought to Earth by comets and other meteors.
1013	Describe characteristics of natural and artificial emitters of radiation.
1014	Describe bands of the spectrum from RF to gamma rays, and their usefulness in making observations.
1015	Describe the particular usefulness radio frequencies have for deep-space communication.
1016	Describe the basic principles of spectroscopy.
1017	Describe the Doppler effect.
1018	Describe reflection and refraction.
1019	Describe the backscatter of light (or other wavelengths).
1020	Describe the forward scatter of light (or other wavelengths).
1021	List advantages and disadvantages of making observations in backscattered and forward scattered light.
1022*	Distinguish between inferior and superior planets.
1023	Compare the terrestrial and jovian planets.
1024	Relate the diversity of the jovian planets' moons.
1025*	Consider which jovian moons might currently support lifeforms.
1026*	Describe the system of terrestrial coordinates, the rotation of Earth, precession, nutation, and the revolution of Earth about the sun.
1029*	Identify one or more planets in the evening sky.
1030*	Face east and tell about your own motion relative to the Sun and planets.
1031	Identify stars known to have planetary systems. Describe how they are detected.
1032	State distance in light-years from here to some extra-solar planetary systems.
1033*	Describe how locations of objects are stated in coordinate systems of the celestial sphere.
1034	Describe the use of epochs and various conventions of timekeeping.
1035	Describe the force of gravity
1036	Describe characteristics of ellipses.
1037	Describe the concepts of Newton's principles of mechanics.
1038	Recognize acceleration in orbit and explain Kepler's laws in general terms.
1039	Describe tidal effect and how it is important in planetary systems.
1040	Describe the use of Hohmann transfer orbits in general terms and how spacecraft use them for interplanetary travel.
1041	Describe the role launch sites play in total launch energy.
1042	List factors contributing to determination of launch windows.
1043	Describe how the launch day of the year and hour of the day affect interplanetary launch energy.
1044*	List the major factors involved in preparations for launch.
1045	Describe the concepts of aerobraking to alter orbital geometry.
1046	Describe the concepts of aerobraking to decelerate for atmospheric entry, descent and landing.
1047	List and describe a planet's Lagrange points.
Describe in general terms the characteristics of the following types of planetary orbits including their general concepts, particular advantages, and some requirements for achieving them:
1048	Geosynchronous orbits.
1049	Geostationary orbits.
1050	Polar orbits.
1051	Walking orbits.
1052	Sun-synchronous orbits.
1053	State the characteristics of eight basic categories of robotic spacecraft.
1054	Be able to identify past, current, and future spacecraft as belonging to one of the eight basic categories.
1055*	State the general characteristics of several launch vehicles.
Describe the role, and some major components, of the following typical spacecraft subsystems:
1056	Structural subsystem.
1057	Thermal subsystem.
1058	Mechanical devices subsystem.
1059	Data handling subsystem.
1060	Attitude and articulation control subsystem.
1061	Telecommunications subsystem.
1062	Electrical power and distribution subsystem.
1063	Propulsion subsystem.
1064*	List advanced technologies being considered for use on future spacecraft.
1065	Distinguish between remote-sensing and direct-sensing science instruments.
1066	Recognize examples of remote- and direct-sensing science instruments.
1067	Identify how science instruments are classified as active or passive sensors.
1068	Be aware of radio science's special capabilities.
1069	Describe the unique opportunities for science data acquisition presented by occultations, and some of the problems involved.
1070	Identify what is referred to as the scientific community, describe the typical background of principal investigators involved with space flight.
1071	Describe avenues for disseminating the results of science experiments.
1072*	Identify typical mission phases: conceptual effort, preliminary analysis, definition, design, and development.
1073*	List the major factors involved in a mission's cruise phase, including spacecraft checkout and characterization, and preparation for encounter.
1074	Characterize typical daily flight operations.
Describe major factors involved in:
1075	Flyby operations.
1076	Planetary orbit insertion.
1077	Planetary system exploration.
1078	Planet mapping.
1079	Planetary system tour.
1080	Gravity field surveying.
1081	Cite examples of completion of a mission's primary objectives and obtaining additional science data after their completion.
1082	Consider how depletion of resources contributes to the end of a mission, identify resources that affect mission life, and describe logistics of closeout of a mission.
Be aware of the major factors involved in communicating across interplanetary distances:
1083	Uplink.
1084	Downlink.
1085	Coherence.
1086	Modulation.
1087	Coding.
1088	Multiplexing.
1089	Describe basic spacecraft navigation velocity measurement.
1090	Describe basic spacecraft navigation distance measurement.
1091*	Describe basic spacecraft navigation angular measurement.
1092	Describe how Orbit Determination for spacecraft navigation is approached.
1093	Describe spacecraft trajectory correction maneuvers and orbit trim maneuvers.
1094	Recognize three distinct Deep Space Network data types used in navigation.
1095	Design something relevant to course subject matter, and present it to the class, with friends and family invited, on the final evening of the course.