Aerospace Systems

This course serves as an introduction to the fundamental aspects of analytical mechanics with emphasis on aerospace systems. It stresses modeling of physical problems into mathematical terms.

TEXT: “Analytical Mechanics of Aerospace Systems,” by J.L. Junkins and H. Schaub, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Reston, VA, 2003.

• Particle Kinematics
  • Vector Description of Particle Motion
  • Angular Velocity of Rotation of Coordinate Systems
  • Differentiating Vectors Seen From Other Frames
• Particle Dynamics
  • Newton’s Law
  • Conservative Forces and Potential Energy
  • Forced and Unforced Systems
  • Work/Energy Principles
  • Angular Momentum
• System of N Particles
  • Super Particle Theorem
  • Angular Momentum
  • Kinetic Energy
• Rigid Body Attitude Coordinates
  • Direction Cosine Matrix
  • Principle Rotation Vector
  • Euler Angles
• Continuous System
• Rigid Body Dynamics
  • Angular Momentum
  • Direction Cosine Matrix
  • Inertia Transformations
  • Kinetic Energy
  • Euler’s Rotational Equations of Motion
• Introduction to Lagrange’s Equation of Motion

Years Taught: Fall '00, Spring '00, Fall '99, Spring '99, Fall '98