Orbital Mechanics Simulation

In Fall 2024, during the Orbital Mechanics course at New Mexico State University, I developed a project focused on modeling planetary orbits using both geocentric and heliocentric reference frames. Jupiter was selected as the case study, and its orbital parameters were calculated and compared across both models. Key quantities such as angular momentum, specific orbital energy, and areal velocity were computed for both Earth- and Sun-centered systems.

The project included the creation of MATLAB simulations and animations that illustrated Jupiter’s motion in geocentric and heliocentric models. The heliocentric orbit was further validated by comparing results with real data obtained from NASA Horizons. Orbital parameters such as eccentricity, semi-major axis, perihelion, aphelion, and orbital period were estimated and benchmarked against published values. Relative errors were calculated using multiple numerical integrators, including ODE45, ODE113, ODE15s, and ODE23, providing insights into the accuracy of different computational methods.

To extend usability, a MATLAB interface was designed, allowing users to select any planet in the solar system and run the corresponding calculations, simulations, and animations. While Jupiter was the main focus for validation, the interface generalized the approach to all major planets, reinforcing skills in numerical methods, orbital dynamics, and software-based modeling for aerospace applications.