Fundamentals of Astrodynamics


Book Description

Teaching text developed by U.S. Air Force Academy and designed as a first course emphasizes the universal variable formulation. Develops the basic two-body and n-body equations of motion; orbit determination; classical orbital elements, coordinate transformations; differential correction; more. Includes specialized applications to lunar and interplanetary flight, example problems, exercises. 1971 edition.




Orbital Mechanics and Astrodynamics


Book Description

Now in an updated second edition, this classroom-tested textbook covers fundamental and advanced topics in orbital mechanics and astrodynamics designed to introduce readers to the basic dynamics of space flight. The book explains concepts and engineering tools a student or practicing engineer can apply to mission design and navigation of space missions. Through highlighting basic, analytic, and computer-based methods for designing interplanetary and orbital trajectories, the text provides excellent insight into astronautical techniques and tools. The second edition includes new material on the observational basics of orbit determination, information about precision calculations for data used inflight, such as Mars 2020 with the Ingenuity Helicopter, and improvements in mission design procedures, including the automated design of gravity-assist trajectories. Orbital Mechanics and Astrodynamics: Techniques and Tools for Space Missions is ideal for students in astronautical or aerospace engineering and related fields, as well as engineers and researchers in space industrial and governmental research and development facilities, as well as researchers in astronautics.







Fundamentals of Astrodynamics


Book Description

Widely known and used throughout the astrodynamics and aerospace engineering communities, this teaching text was developed at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Completely revised and updated 2018 edition.




Celestial Mechanics and Astrodynamics: Theory and Practice


Book Description

This volume is designed as an introductory text and reference book for graduate students, researchers and practitioners in the fields of astronomy, astrodynamics, satellite systems, space sciences and astrophysics. The purpose of the book is to emphasize the similarities between celestial mechanics and astrodynamics, and to present recent advances in these two fields so that the reader can understand the inter-relations and mutual influences. The juxtaposition of celestial mechanics and astrodynamics is a unique approach that is expected to be a refreshing attempt to discuss both the mechanics of space flight and the dynamics of celestial objects. “Celestial Mechanics and Astrodynamics: Theory and Practice” also presents the main challenges and future prospects for the two fields in an elaborate, comprehensive and rigorous manner. The book presents homogenous and fluent discussions of the key problems, rendering a portrayal of recent advances in the field together with some basic concepts and essential infrastructure in orbital mechanics. The text contains introductory material followed by a gradual development of ideas interweaved to yield a coherent presentation of advanced topics.




Modern Astrodynamics


Book Description

Newton's laws of motion and his universal law of gravitation described mathematically the motion of two bodies undergoing mutual gravitational attraction. However, it is impossible to solve analytically the equation of motion for three gravitationally interacting bodies. This book discusses some techniques used to obtain numerical solutions of the equations of motion for planets and satellites, which are of fundamental importance to solar-system dynamicists and to those involved in planning the orbits of artificial satellites. The first part introduces the classical two-body problem and solves it by rigorously developing the six integrals of the motion, starting from Newton's three laws of motion and his law of gravitation and then using vector algebra to develop the integrals. The various forms of the solution flow naturally from the integrals. In the second part, several modern perturbation techniques are developed and applied to cases of practical importance. For example, the perturbed two-body problem for an oblate planet or for a nonsymmetric rotating planet is considered, as is the effect of drag on a satellite. The two-body problem is regularized, and the nonlinear differential equation is thereby transformed to a linear one by further embedding several of the integrals. Finally, a brief sketch of numerical methods is given, as the perturbation equations must be solved by numerical rather than by analytical methods.




Fundamentals of Astrodynamics and Applications


Book Description

Fundamentals of Astrodynamics and Applications is rapidly becoming the standard astrodynamics reference for those involved in the business of spaceflight. What sets this book apart is that nearly all of the theoretical mathematics is followed by discussions of practical applications implemented in tested software routines. For example, the book includes a compendium of algorithms that allow students and professionals to determine orbits with high precision using a PC. Without a doubt, when an astrodynamics problem arises in the future, it will become standard practice for engineers to keep this volume close at hand and `look it up in Vallado'. While the first edition was an exceptionally useful and popular book throughout the community, there are a number of reasons why the second edition will be even more so. There are many reworked examples and derivations. Newly introduced topics include ground illumination calculations, Moon rise and set, and a listing of relevant Internet sites. There is an improved and expanded discussion of coordinate systems, orbit determination, and differential correction. Perhaps most important is that all of the software routines described in the book are now available for free in FORTRAN, PASCAL, and C. This makes the second edition an even more valuable text and superb reference.




Space Vehicle Dynamics and Control


Book Description

A textbook that incorporates the latest methods used for the analysis of spacecraft orbital, attitude, and structural dynamics and control. Spacecraft dynamics is treated as a dynamic system with emphasis on practical applications, typical examples of which are the analysis and redesign of the pointing control system of the Hubble Space Telescope and the analysis of an active vibrations control for the COFS (Control of Flexible Structures) Mast Flight System. In addition to the three subjects mentioned above, dynamic systems modeling, analysis, and control are also discussed. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR




Practical Astrodynamics


Book Description

This modern textbook guides the reader through the theory and practice of the motion and attitude control of space vehicles. It first presents the fundamental principles of spaceflight mechanics and then addresses more complex concepts and applications of perturbation theory, orbit determination and refinement, space propulsion, orbital maneuvers, interplanetary trajectories, gyroscope dynamics, attitude control, and rocket performance. Many algorithms used in the modern practice of trajectory computation are also provided. The numerical treatment of the equations of motion, the related methods, and the tables needed to use them receive particular emphasis. A large collection of bibliographical references (including books, articles, and items from the "gray literature") is provided at the end of each chapter, and attention is drawn to many internet resources available to the reader. The book will be of particular value to undergraduate and graduate students in aerospace engineering.




Space Flight Dynamics


Book Description

Thorough coverage of space flight topics with self-contained chapters serving a variety of courses in orbital mechanics, spacecraft dynamics, and astronautics This concise yet comprehensive book on space flight dynamics addresses all phases of a space mission: getting to space (launch trajectories), satellite motion in space (orbital motion, orbit transfers, attitude dynamics), and returning from space (entry flight mechanics). It focuses on orbital mechanics with emphasis on two-body motion, orbit determination, and orbital maneuvers with applications in Earth-centered missions and interplanetary missions. Space Flight Dynamics presents wide-ranging information on a host of topics not always covered in competing books. It discusses relative motion, entry flight mechanics, low-thrust transfers, rocket propulsion fundamentals, attitude dynamics, and attitude control. The book is filled with illustrated concepts and real-world examples drawn from the space industry. Additionally, the book includes a “computational toolbox” composed of MATLAB M-files for performing space mission analysis. Key features: Provides practical, real-world examples illustrating key concepts throughout the book Accompanied by a website containing MATLAB M-files for conducting space mission analysis Presents numerous space flight topics absent in competing titles Space Flight Dynamics is a welcome addition to the field, ideally suited for upper-level undergraduate and graduate students studying aerospace engineering.