Orbital Mechanics and Applications

4. Kepler’s Laws of Planetary Motion

Learning Outcomes

I can state Kepler's three laws of planetary motion.
I can explain how Kepler's laws describe planetary orbits.
I can apply Kepler's laws to orbital calculations.
I can relate Kepler's laws to Newtonian gravitation.
I can interpret data involving planetary motion.

Key Topics:

First, second, and third laws
Applications to planetary systems