Gain insights into using Python for mechanical and aerospace engineering. Learn about basics, graphing techniques, airfoil plotting, and dynamic pressure and orbital modeling in 2D and 3D.

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In this course, you will learn about the Python programming language in the context of mechanical and aerospace engineering. 

You will start with the basics of Python, like variables, collections, and different types of loops. Once you have the basics out of the way, the real fun begins. You will learn how to: graph thrust available and thrust required, graph dynamic pressure during a rocket launch, and how to plot airfoil coordinates. 

Towards the end, you will get a strong overview of orbital parameters and learn how to model both 2D and 3D static orbits. Once you’ve completed this course, you will have a better understanding of Python and how it works in the context of mechanical/aerospace engineering.

Python for Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

`Matplotlib` is a great library for building data visualization tools. This example is just a small sample of what the library can help you display and accomplish. `Matplotlib` also allows you to embed and export the charts to various formats, such as pdf, svg, and others. Combined with `Scipy` and `Numpy`, `Matplotlib` is a great tool for displaying data in new and interesting ways. You were able to use `Matplotlib` and some physics to plot maximum aerodynamic pressure, called Max Q, as a function of time. 

In reality, rockets do not have constant acceleration. The acceleration will vary depending on atmospheric conditions, the altitude of the rocket, the engine performance, and more. However, the assumption of constant acceleration allows you to use simple physics equations to model Max Q. The constant acceleration is probably a pretty bad assumption, considering even with a low acceleration of 20 $\frac{ft}{s^2}$, the Max Q is around 400 million pounds per square foot. 

Nonetheless, the assumptions are a good way to get a first-order guess onto the graph to show what Max Q is and why it occurs. In later chapters, you will be able to animate graphs with `Matplotlib`.
This graph and iterative programming process also demonstrate a core tenet of engineering: even if you have all of the mathematical models possible, you still need to sanity-check the output to verify that it makes sense. If you put garbage into a model or equation that you do not understand, you will most likely get garbage out of it, too.

The program in this lesson uses a Python convention of `if __name__ == "__main__":`. Any Python program you write could be imported by a different program if you so desired. If you were to do this, anything at the zero-indent level would get run on import. `__main__` is a hidden method invoked whenever you directly run a program. In essence, this `if` statement is insurance against only running the main part of the program when you mean to. You will not need to worry too much about it since the program would still run the same if you delete that `if` statement and re-indent everything to the zero-indent level.


Ending thoughts for dynamic pressure experienced by a rocket during launch.

Getting Comfortable with Python

FizzBuzz

Graphing Thrust Available and Thrust Required

Graphing Dynamic Pressure During a Rocket Launch

Getting and Plotting Airfoil Coordinates

Modeling a 2-Body Orbit in 2D and 3D

Unit Conversions

Introduction to Web Scraping

Modeling Camera Shutter Effect

Writing Reports with Pweave

The End

Conclusion for Rocket Launches and Dynamic Pressure