Orbital Mechanics of Lunar and Interplanetary Missions

by Antonio Fernando Bertachini (INPE - Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (Brasil))

Wednesday 8 Jul 2026, 14:00 → 15:00 Portugal

Sala de Conferências (Departamento de Física FCTUC)

The lecture on astrodynamics, titled "Orbital Mechanics of Lunar and Interplanetary Missions," will address the importance of astrodynamics in space exploration, showing the fundamental role of orbital mechanics for the success of terrestrial, lunar, and interplanetary missions. We will begin with the fundamental concepts of orbital mechanics, such as Kepler's Laws and their applications, as well as the different types of orbits—elliptical, circular, and hyperbolic. Orbital maneuvers will also be discussed, including Hohmann transfers and orbital insertion maneuvers, emphasizing the role of gravity in interplanetary navigation. Next, we will provide an introduction to the objectives of the Artemis Mission, which aims to return humans to the Moon and establish a sustainable presence, as well as pave the way for future missions to Mars. The interaction between the Artemis Mission and orbital mechanics will be a central focus, emphasizing trajectory planning and the challenges faced during lunar orbit entry and exit.