Sapienza Università di Roma - Dipartimento di Fisica
class of
Methods of Space Astrophysics
Prof. Silvia Masi

Program:

Space: definition, composition, use and importance.

Space and Astrophysics. The Earth Atmosphere and its disturbance, Advantage of spece-based observations in different bands of the EM and for non-EM observations.

Facilities for space observations: stratospheric balloons, rockets, satellites, extra-terrestrial stations.

Sub-orbital vectors: stratospheric balloons: technology, float altitude. Rocket propulsion. Single-stage and multi-stage rockets, and their use.

Orbital motion. Kepler’s laws Elements of the orbit, two-body problem, elliptical orbits, periods of satellites, velocity in the elliptical orbit, Kepler’s equation. Orbits and Energy, orbital transfer.

Multi-body problem, perturbations, periodic and secular. Restricted three-body problem, Lagrangian points and astrophysical applications. Earth oblateness and its effect on orbits.

Attitude measurement and control systems. Attitude actuators and sensors. Elements of control theory. Examples of electrical sensors and actuators. Attitude control for stratospheric balloon payloads.

Space cryogenics. Why: detector noise and radiative background. Cryogens. Space cryostats. Porous plug. ADR. Examples and development of space-cryogenics.

Payload design and characteristics. Examples (past and new). Space transportation.

The space environment and its impact on the design of a mission.

Phases of a space program: A,B,C,D,F.

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