Astrodynamics is the research area concerned with the modeling, analysis, and control of the motion of natural and artificial bodies in space under the influence of gravitational and non-gravitational forces. It encompasses orbital mechanics, trajectory design and optimization, mission analysis, attitude–orbit coupling, and perturbation theory for multi-body environments. The field integrates celestial mechanics, numerical methods, optimal control, and spacecraft propulsion modeling to enable precise prediction and adjustment of trajectories for applications such as orbit insertion, station-keeping, interplanetary transfers, formation flying, and proximity operations, often requiring high-fidelity dynamical models and robust estimation techniques for navigation and guidance.
Solar emissions exert 'drag' on space junk orbiting Earth. From historical measurements across a period of 36 years, researchers have now shown that space junk begins to fall down much faster once the sun's activity across ...
Space Exploration
May 6, 2026
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A new publication from Bielefeld University sets a benchmark in optimization research. Together with an international team, Professor Michael Römer from the Faculty of Business Administration and Economics has developed a ...
Space Exploration
May 4, 2026
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There are tens of thousands of near-Earth objects (NEOs) that represent some of the most easily accessible resources in the solar system. Planning trajectories to rendezvous with these miniature worlds is notoriously difficult, ...
Space Exploration
May 1, 2026
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Whether it's robotic rovers heading to Mars or, one day, a crew of astronauts, a round-trip journey is an incredibly long one. But there may be a way to find a shortcut. A new study published in the journal Acta Astronautica ...
NASA successfully sent four astronauts around the moon for the first time in more than 50 years, setting the stage for future lunar landing missions. As the agency continues to push the bounds of space exploration, NASA's ...
Space Exploration
Apr 22, 2026
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Following NASA's Artemis II mission successfully splashing down on Earth, engineers started diving into detailed analysis of data to assess how key systems and subsystems on the Orion spacecraft, SLS (Space Launch System) ...
Space Exploration
Apr 21, 2026
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Following the recent successful test flight of NASA's Artemis II mission around the moon, NASA rolled out the core stage, or the largest section, of the agency's SLS (Space Launch System) rocket that will launch the crewed ...
Space Exploration
Apr 21, 2026
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Their dramatic grand finale fast approaching, Artemis II's astronauts aimed for a splashdown in the Pacific on Friday to close out humanity's first voyage to the moon in more than half a century.
Space Exploration
Apr 10, 2026
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They took thousands of photographs and documented copious observations on their voyage around the moon, but as they sped closer to home the Artemis astronauts said Wednesday they have barely started processing the extraordinary ...
Space Exploration
Apr 9, 2026
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The Artemis II astronauts were jetting toward Earth and sharing their lunar flyby souvenirs Tuesday, delighting colleagues both at home and in space with captivating tales of their historic journey.
Space Exploration
Apr 8, 2026
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