Space Mission Design: Lunar Exploration and Propulsion Techniques

This lecture covers the design and operations of space missions, focusing on lunar exploration and spacecraft propulsion techniques. It begins with recent developments in the Artemis program, highlighting Japan's participation in sending astronauts to the Moon. The instructor discusses the significance of the Artemis Accords and the collaboration between NASA and international partners. The lecture then transitions to technical aspects, including aerodynamic braking, slingshot maneuvers, and spacecraft propulsion methods. The instructor explains the mechanics of gravity assist maneuvers, using examples like the New Horizons mission to Pluto and the Cassini-Huygens mission to Saturn. The lecture also delves into the Tsiolkovsky rocket equation, emphasizing the importance of specific impulse in propulsion systems. Various propulsion types, including chemical, nuclear, and electric propulsion, are examined, along with their applications in missions to Mars and beyond. The session concludes with a discussion on orbit insertion and re-entry techniques, illustrating the complexities of space travel and mission planning.