Space Mission Design and Operations

This lecture covers the fundamentals of space mission design and operations, including concepts such as inertial frames, potential and kinetic energy of spacecraft, conservation laws, radiation balance, orbital decay, drag equations, gravitational wells, and interplanetary trajectories. The instructor provides insights into the Tsiolkovsky equation, propulsion system efficiency, and attitude maneuvers using thrusters. The course also delves into the practical applications of reaction wheels and space tethers in space missions.