Gravitational Multibody Dynamics: A Quick-start Guide - Lesson 2: Going with the Flow

Discipline: Flight Mechanics

Abstract:
This session (lesson 2 out of a 5-part series) develops the CR3BP as a dynamical system. Topics include numerical propagation of initial conditions, chaotic sensitivity, the Jacobi constant, zero-velocity curves, permissible regions of motion, the five libration points, and the use of flow maps and Poincaré maps to describe trajectory evolution.

About the Speaker:
Dr. Davide Guzzetti is an Associate Professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Auburn University and a Samuel Ginn Faculty Achievement Fellow. His work centers on astrodynamics and space mission design, including spacecraft trajectory design in multi-body and cislunar environments, cislunar domain awareness, spatial computing for astrodynamics, and small orbital debris remediation. He has received a NASA Early Career Faculty Award and recognition as a NASA NIAC Fellow, along with Auburn University recognitions for research and mentorship. At Auburn, he teaches space mission design and orbital mechanics, and contributed to Designing the Moonshot: Introduction to Multi-Body Dynamics, a massive open online course on multi-body gravitational dynamics. He is a current member of the American Astronautical Society Space Flight Mechanics Committee. Dr. Guzzetti earned his Ph.D. in Astrodynamics from Purdue University, M.S. degrees in Space Engineering from Politecnico di Milano and Politecnico di Torino, and a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from Politecnico di Milano.