Abstract. We present in this lecture a description of two problems where the tools and techniques normally used in orbital mechanics are applied to solve problems related to the evolution of planetary systems.

Problem 1: unstable exomoons.  The satellites of extra-solar-system giant planets (exomoons) are starting to gain attention in the exoplanetary community.  The dynamics of exomoons around close-in giant planets is rich and complex.  We present a review of the attempts to asses the dynamical evolution and final fate of unstable exomoons.  We focus our attention in one channel never studied before in which unstable massive exomoons are transferred from already formed giant planets to the star itself.  These transferred moons, we call "ploonets", could potentially became low mass planets or alter the formation of terrestrial planets.  Problem 2: the initial mass function of comets.  Comets are probably the most primitive bodies in the solar system.  Their orbits are ever changing due to planetary perturbations, and their high volatile content makes them to lose a significant fraction of their mass during their entire life span.  We present here a method to estimate the Initial mass function of comets by reconstructing the orbits of well known comets in the last millenia.  Starting with their current positions we integrate backwards their orbits using symplectic and high-order numerical integrators and estimate the evolution of the orbital parameters.  The position of the major planets is calculated from Spice kernels and integrating their orbits using the same methods and tools as used for integrate the cometary orbits.

Bio. Jorge Zuluaga, Assistan Professor, University of Antioquia (Medellín, Colombia).  He made his Ph.D. in Astroparticle Physics at the University of Antioquia in a collaboration with the Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare at Frascati, Italy.  Presently he is heading the undergraduate program in Astronomy at the same University.  Given his position as the leader of the undergraduate program and the research group in astrophysics he is working in different projects ranging from dynamical evolution of disk galaxies, astrodynamics applied to exoplanetary systems and orbital and thermal evolution of habitable exoplanets.