ACAN Basics of Interplanetary Flight
Course Objectives

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1. Describe the solar system.
2. State distances of objects within the solar system in terms of light-time.
3. Describe the environment in which the solar system resides.
4. Describe planets, moons, asteroids, comets, Kuiper belt objects, and the Oort cloud.
5. Describe the materials brought to Earth by comets and other meteors.



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6. Describe in general terms characteristics of natural and artificial emitters of radiation.
7. Describe bands of the spectrum from RF to gamma rays, and their usefulness in making observations.
8. Describe the particular usefulness radio frequencies have for deep-space communication.
9. Describe the basic principles of spectroscopy, Doppler effect, reflection and refraction.
10. Describe the backscatter of light (or other wavelengths); describe forward scatter. List advantages and disadvantages of making observations in backscattered and forward scattered light.



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11. Describe the sun as a typical star, and relate its share of the mass within the solar system.
12. Distinguish between inferior and superior planets.
13. Compare the terrestrial and jovian planets.
14. Relate the diversity of the jovian planets' moons. Consider which of them might currently support lifeforms.
15. Describe the system of terrestrial coordinates, the rotation of Earth, precession, nutation, and the revolution of Earth about the sun.
16. Identify one or more planets in the evening sky.
17. Face east and tell about your own motion relative to the Sun and planets.
18. Identify stars known to have planetary systems. Describe how they are detected.

19. State distance in light-years from here to some known extra-solar planetary systems.
20. Describe how the locations of celestial objects are stated in the coordinate systems of the celestial sphere.
21. Describe the use of epochs and various conventions of timekeeping.



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22. Describe the force of gravity
23. Describe characteristics of ellipses.
24. Describe the concepts of Newton's principles of mechanics.
25. Recognize acceleration in orbit and explain Kepler's laws in general terms.
26. Describe tidal effect and how it is important in planetary systems.
27. Describe the use of Hohmann transfer orbits in general terms and how spacecraft use them for interplanetary travel.
28. Describe the role launch sites play in total launch energy.
29. List factors contributing to determination of launch windows. Describe how the launch day of the year and hour of the day affect interplanetary launch energy and list the major factors involved in preparations for launch.
30. Describe the concepts of using aerobraking to alter orbital geometry or decelerate for atmospheric entry, descent and landing.
31. List and describe a planet's Lagrange points.
32. Describe in general terms the characteristics of various types of planetary orbits including the general concepts, and particular advantages, of geosynchronous orbits, polar orbits, walking orbits, sun-synchronous orbits, and some requirements for achieving them.



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33. State the characteristics of various types of robotic spacecraft.
34. State the general characteristics of various launch vehicles.
35. Be able to identify past, current, or future spacecraft as belonging to one of eight basic categories.
36. Describe the role of typical spacecraft subsystems: structural, thermal, mechanical devices, data handling, attitude and articulation control, telecommunications, electrical power and distribution, and propulsion.
37. List advanced technologies being considered for use on future spacecraft.
38. Distinguish between remote- and direct-sensing science instruments, state their characteristics, recognize examples of them, and identify how they are classified as active or passive sensors.
39. Be aware of radio science's special capabilities.
40. Describe the unique opportunities for science data acquisition presented by occultations, and some of the problems involved.
41. Identify what is referred to as the scientific community, describe the typical background of principal investigators involved with space flight.
42. Describe avenues for disseminating the results of science experiments.




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43. Identify typical mission phases: conceptual effort, preliminary analysis, definition, design, and development.
44. List the major factors involved in a mission's cruise phase, including spacecraft checkout and characterization, and preparation for encounter.
45. Characterize typical daily flight operations.
46. Describe major factors involved in flyby operations, planetary orbit insertion, planetary system exploration, planet mapping, and gravity field surveying.
47. Cite examples of completion of a mission's primary objectives and obtaining additional science data after their completion.
48. 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.
49. Be aware of the major factors involved in communicating across interplanetary distances, including uplink, downlink, coherence, modulation, coding, and multiplexing.
50. Describe basic ingredients of spacecraft navigation including spacecraft velocity and distance measurement, angular measurement, and how orbit determination is approached.
51. Describe spacecraft trajectory correction maneuvers and orbit trim maneuvers. Recognize four distinct Deep Space Network data types used in navigation.



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52. Plan or design something relevant to course subject matter, and present it informally to the group on any appropriate evening of the course.

THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED GMT 29 MARCH 2009