Programme dates
15-26 June 2026
Online Program
Orbital Mechanics and Aerodynamics Online Course
by Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies
An online aerospace course exploring spacecraft motion and atmospheric flight through simulations, models, and flight-component design.
Last verified: 6 Oct 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens
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Orbital Mechanics and Aerodynamics at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Upcoming
Eligibility
Grades 9-11; algebra and basic trigonometry
Age range / Year group
Ages 14-17
Location / Region
Online
Cost
$3,200
Duration
2 weeks
Format
Online
Computer ScienceEngineeringSpace & physics
Sessions / cadence: 10 × 2-hour weekday classes; 1-2-hour daily homework
Assessment style: Assignments and projects
Main deliverable / output: Flight-component designs, simulations, and models
Time-zone / scheduling model: 8:00-11:00 a.m. PDT window
Latest verified cycle: 2026
Student support: Online office hours
Orbital Mechanics and Aerodynamics summary
Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes connects the physics of spacecraft motion with atmospheric flight in an interdisciplinary aerospace course.
Students design and test flight components, run simulations, and build models to apply concepts such as propulsion, lift, drag, and trajectory design.
The course suits students who want to investigate how flight works through mathematical ideas and practical analysis.
What is Orbital Mechanics and Aerodynamics Online Course?
Orbital Mechanics and Aerodynamics Online Course is an interdisciplinary course from Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes. It introduces astronautics and aerodynamics by connecting spacecraft motion in a vacuum with flight through the atmosphere. Topics include orbital mechanics, trajectory design, propulsion, drag, lift, and fluid flow.
Students apply these ideas by designing and testing flight components such as airfoils, propulsion systems, and rockets. Aerospace challenges and historical space missions inform simulations and models of real-world scenarios. Live online teaching is paired with independent assignments and projects.
Why Succeed highlights Orbital Mechanics and Aerodynamics
Connecting atmospheric flight with spacecraft motion gives students a useful view of two related engineering fields.
Flight-component design and testing turn abstract physics into problems students can investigate.
Simulations and models provide practice applying theory to real aerospace scenarios.
Historical space missions give the technical material a concrete context.
Who is Orbital Mechanics and Aerodynamics for?
Best for
Students interested in physics, space exploration, commercial aviation, or aerospace engineering who enjoy applying mathematics to design and simulation.
Not ideal if
You need a self-paced course or want to avoid daily independent work, because live weekday classes accompany assignments and projects.
Is Orbital Mechanics and Aerodynamics worth it?
This course is worth considering if you want to test an interest in aerospace through design, simulation, and mathematical analysis. Studying both spacecraft and atmospheric flight can help you identify which engineering questions you most enjoy.
The workload calls for sustained attention beyond live teaching, so it needs room in your daily routine. Evaluate its value through the skills and understanding you gain: participation does not guarantee admission to Stanford.
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Cost and what is included
$3,200; includes Live online classes., Online office hours., Flight-component design, simulation, and modeling activities..
Dates and time commitment
2 weeks; 10 × 2-hour weekday classes; 1-2-hour daily homework.
Provider details
Review the Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies provider page and official sources before making a final decision.
What the student gains
Potential output: Course work produces flight-component designs, simulations, and models that apply aerospace principles.. Check whether feedback, certificate, recommendation or application evidence is included.
Online support and safeguarding
Check how online sessions are supervised, how mentor communication works, and what support route exists if the student needs help.
What to check before committing
Confirm current dates, session schedule, payment terms, cancellation rules, support expectations and what output or certificate is included with the provider.
Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.
Compare with similar programsHow much preparation does Orbital Mechanics and Aerodynamics need?
Effort level
High, with two-hour live weekday classes and 1-2 hours of daily independent work.
Best started
For the next cycle, allow several weeks to gather transcripts, select a work sample, and write your application responses.
Main challenge
Moving between theoretical flight concepts and practical model-based analysis.
Typical preparation
Refresh algebra and basic trigonometry before classes.
Test access to PhET, Airfoil Tools, NASA Airfoil Interactive, JavaLab, and Academo.
Plan separate time for live classes and asynchronous assignments.
Choose a work sample that meets the course's application requirements and reflects your own abilities.
Useful if
You want to explore whether aerospace engineering matches your interests.
What do students do on Orbital Mechanics and Aerodynamics?
You connect the physics of spacecraft motion and atmospheric flight with design and simulation activities. Assignments and projects extend the live teaching into independent analysis.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Explore orbital mechanics, trajectory design, propulsion, drag, lift, and fluid flow.
- 2
Apply flight principles by designing and testing components such as airfoils, propulsion systems, and rockets.
- 3
Conduct simulations and create models informed by aerospace challenges and historical space missions.
- 4
Analyze real-world scenarios to reinforce the theoretical concepts.
Orbital Mechanics and Aerodynamics dates and deadlines
Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.
Reference date
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Programme dates | 15-26 June 2026 | Local | Reference date |
Eligibility and requirements
Be in Grades 9-11 at the time of application.
Have completed an algebra course.
Have exposure to basic trigonometry.
Attend only one Summer Institutes course if admitted.
How much does Orbital Mechanics and Aerodynamics cost?
Financial aid
Available — Aid can be awarded to domestic and international participants.
What's included
Live online classes., Online office hours., Flight-component design, simulation, and modeling activities.
How to apply to Orbital Mechanics and Aerodynamics
- 1
Select the courses you genuinely want to attend in the online application.
- 2
Complete the application responses yourself.
- 3
Upload recent grade reports, transcripts, and a work sample meeting the selected course's requirements.
- 4
Upload standardized test reports only if you choose to include them.
- 5
Have a parent or legal guardian review and sign the completed application.
- 6
Pay the application fee and submit the complete application by the posted deadline at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.
- 7
Review every response and upload before submitting, because applications cannot be changed afterward.
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Learning format
Students attend two-hour live online classes Monday-Friday within an 8:00-11:00 a.m. PDT window, with the third hour reserved for online office hours. Plan for approximately 1-2 hours of asynchronous assignments and projects per day outside class.
Students attend one course section and time; exact class and office-hour schedules are set closer to the session.
Mentorship and feedback
Live online classes provide scheduled teaching.
Online office hours occupy the third hour of the meeting window.
The exact office-hour schedule is set closer to the session.
Time-zone considerations
- The published meeting window is 8:00-11:00 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time.
- Live classes meet Monday-Friday for two hours within that window.
- The remaining hour is reserved for online office hours.
- Students attend one assigned section and time.
- Independent assignments and projects take approximately 1-2 hours per day.
Tech requirements
Access to PhET.
Access to Airfoil Tools.
Access to NASA Airfoil Interactive.
Access to JavaLab.
Access to Academo.
Assessment style
Learning activities center on assignments and projects involving design, testing, simulations, and models.
- Complete asynchronous assignments and projects outside live class.
- Design and test flight components.
- Conduct simulations of aerospace scenarios.
- Create models that connect theory with real-world analysis.
Portfolio / outputs
Main deliverable / output
Course work produces flight-component designs, simulations, and models that apply aerospace principles.
Design and testing work involving airfoils.
Design and testing work involving propulsion systems and rockets.
Simulations informed by aerospace challenges and historical space missions.
Models analyzing real-world flight scenarios.
Orbital Mechanics and Aerodynamics FAQs
Students must have completed an algebra course and have exposure to basic trigonometry.
Plan for approximately 1-2 hours per day of asynchronous assignments and projects, alongside two-hour live classes Monday-Friday.
Assignments require access to PhET, Airfoil Tools, NASA Airfoil Interactive, JavaLab, and Academo.
No. Standardized test scores are optional for domestic and international applicants, and there is no fixed test-score or GPA cutoff.
Students must write their own responses. Parents or legal guardians review the completed application and sign afterward.
Yes. Financial aid can be awarded to both domestic and international participants.
No. Stanford undergraduate admissions is separate and independent from Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies. The value of participation comes from learning, growth, and developing your interests.
Alternatives to Orbital Mechanics and Aerodynamics
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Save this program in Succeed to compare it with similar programs, dates, costs and formats in one place.
Compare with other programsContent reviewed by
Sean Stevens
Co-founder, Succeed | Founder, Immerse Education (2012–2026)
Sean works at the intersection of academic enrichment, program quality and university preparation, with expertise in evaluating pre-university experiences for ambitious secondary school students.
Sources & verification
Source types reviewed
- Questions: Application - SI | Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes
- Orbital Mechanics and Aerodynamics | Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes
Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.
What we verified (on 6 Oct 2026)
Official course page checked
Session dates reviewed
Grade requirements checked
Mathematics prerequisites reviewed
Workload and scheduling checked
Application requirements reviewed
Financial aid eligibility checked
How Succeed uses this information
We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.
Orbital Mechanics and Aerodynamics Online Course
by Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies
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