PSP Astrodynamics has several different projects currently underway where members are learning the basics of orbital mechanics and space mission design and working towards publishing research. We also work with other PSP teams on problems that can be solved by using similar techniques as common astrodynamics problems such as trajectory optimization, flight dynamics, and control under uncertainty.

Workshops

Each semester we hold multiple STK workshops open to anyone where we show how to use System Tool Kit (STK) to plan space missions and do analysis. This tool is used by NASA and it’s pretty much the industry’s version of Kerbal Space Program.

In the fall of 2024, alongside our introduction to STK workshop, we had a workshop where we modeled the Apollo 13 moon mission and then watched Apollo 13.