Orbital Mechanics Courses and Certifications

Orbital Mechanics and Spacecraft Dynamics

A mathematically focused course on propagating orbits, transfer maneuvers, perturbations, interplanetary missions, and spacecraft attitude dynamics.

• YouTube
• 1 day 19 hours
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Career Certificate

Advanced Spacecraft Dynamics and Control

16 ratings at Coursera

Model spacecraft with time-varying components: derive momentum-exchange attitude control with reaction wheels and CMGs, apply analytical mechanics, and complete a capstone dynamics project.

• Coursera
• 8 weeks, 10 hours a week
• Self-Paced
• Paid Course
• 3 courses

Spacecraft Relative Motion Kinematics and Kinetics

12 ratings at Coursera

Describe spacecraft relative motion using Hill frame and differential orbit elements, derive equations of motion for circular and eccentric chiefs, and predict J2 perturbation effects.

• Coursera
• 4 weeks, 8 hours a week
• Self-Paced
• Paid Course

Career Certificate

Spacecraft Formation Relative Orbits

12 ratings at Coursera

Derive nonlinear and linearized spacecraft relative equations of motion about circular, elliptical, and hyperbolic orbits, build J2-invariant relative orbits, and design nonlinear feedback control laws.

• Coursera
• 8 weeks, 10 hours a week
• Self-Paced
• Paid Course
• 3 courses

Spacecraft Relative Motion Control

Develop nonlinear feedback controls for spacecraft relative motion with Lyapunov's direct method, using inertial, differential orbit element and Hill frame coordinates, and simulate them numerically.

• Coursera
• 2 weeks, 12 hours a week
• Self-Paced
• Paid Course

Spacecraft Formation Flying and Control Capstone Project

Design a servicer spacecraft's approach to a tumbling debris object: Hohmann transfer phasing, safety spirals, LVLH relative attitude modeling, and non-Keplerian body-fixed feedback control.

• Coursera
• 4 weeks, 5 hours a week
• Self-Paced
• Paid Course

Fundamentals of Orbit Determination

Build force models, measurement Jacobians, and covariance propagation for orbit determination: two-body and perturbed dynamics, range and range-rate observables, state noise and dynamic model compensation.

• Coursera
• 5 weeks, 8 hours a week
• Self-Paced
• Paid Course

Spacecraft Orbital Dynamics

Explore spacecraft orbital dynamics through real mission cases, progressing from two-body motion and orbital maneuvers to deep-space trajectories and three-body dynamics.

• XuetangX
• Self-Paced
• Free Online Course

IIT Kharagpur;  NPTEL

Space Flight Mechanics

Learn how satellite orbits are modeled, determined, perturbed, and transferred, including Lagrange points, flybys, and interplanetary maneuvers.

• Swayam
• 12 weeks
• Available until Oct 9, 2026
• Free Online Course

LEO, MEO, GEO - Comparing Earth's Orbits - Lesson 2.4

Explore the distinct characteristics of Low, Medium, and Geosynchronous Earth Orbits, analyzing satellite functions, imaging capabilities, communication latency, and mission-specific considerations.

• YouTube
• 12 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Ross Dynamics Lab

Satellite Reference Frames, Viewing Geometry, and Mission Analysis

Introduces spacecraft reference frames and satellite viewing geometry, including access areas, swath width, and ground tracks.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 7 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Dot Physics

Calculating Energy Required to Put Hubble Space Telescope into Orbit

1 rating

Explore the physics behind launching the Hubble Space Telescope, calculating its orbital speed, period, and energy requirements for deployment.

• YouTube
• 16 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Ross Dynamics Lab

Earth-Moon-Spacecraft 3-Body Orbital Motion in Cislunar Space

Explore orbital dynamics in cislunar space using the restricted 3-body model. Learn about Lagrange points, periodic orbits, and manifolds with MATLAB demonstrations and real-world applications.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 27 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Ross Dynamics Lab

Trajectory Types Near L1, L2, and L3 in the Three Body Problem - Theory and MATLAB Examples

Explore trajectory types near Lagrange points in the three-body problem. Learn analytical solutions, MATLAB simulations, and applications to Earth-Moon and Sun-Jupiter systems. Gain insights into orbital dynamics and space mission design.

• YouTube
• 48 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Ross Dynamics Lab

Cislunar Space - 3-Body Model of Orbital Dynamics Beyond the Geosynchronous Belt

Explore restricted three-body dynamics for cislunar trajectories, including Lagrange-point orbits, invariant manifolds, resonances, stability, and MATLAB-based trajectory computation.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 15 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video