Synopses & Reviews
When the United States Air Force Academy began teaching astrodynamics to undergraduates majoring in astronautics or aerospace engineering, it found that the traditional approach to the subject was well over 100 years old. An entirely new text had to be evolved, geared to the use of high speed digital computers and actual current practice in the industry. Over the years the new approach was proven in the classrooms of the Academy; its students entering graduate engineering schools were found to possess a better understanding of astrodynamics than others. So pressing is the need for superior training in the aerospace sciences that the professor-authors of this text decided to publish it for other institutions' use. This Dover edition is the result.The text is structured for teaching. Central emphasis is on use of the universal variable formulation, although classical methods are discussed. Several original unpublished derivations are included. A foundation for all that follows is the development of the basic two-body and n-body equations of motion; orbit determination is then treated, and the classical orbital elements, coordinate transformations, and differential correction. Orbital transfer maneuvers are developed, followed by time-of-flight with emphasis on the universal variable solution. The Kepler and Gauss problems are treated in detail. Two-body mechanics are applied to the ballistic missile problem, including launch error analysis and targeting on a rotating earth. Some further specialized applications are made to lunar and interplanetary flight, followed by an introduction to perturbation, special perturbations, integration schemes and errors, and analytic formulation of several common perturbations.Example problems are used frequently, while exercises at the end of each chapter include derivations and quantitative and qualitative problems. The authors suggest how to use the text for a first course in astrodynamics or for a two-course sequence.This major instructional tool effectively communicates the subject to engineering students in a manner found in no other textbook. Its efficiency has been thoroughly demonstrated. Dover feels privileged in joining with the authors to make its concepts and text matter available to other faculties.
Synopsis
Modern approach developed by U.S. Air Force Academy. Designed as a first course. Problems, exercises. Numerous illus.
Synopsis
Teaching text developed by U.S. Air Force Academy develops the basic two-body and n-body equations of motion; orbit determination; classical orbital elements, coordinate transformations; differential correction; and more. 1971 edition.
Synopsis
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.
Synopsis
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 2013 edition.
Synopsis
Developed at the U.S. Air Force Academy, this teaching text is widely known and used throughout the astrodynamics and aerospace engineering communities. Completely revised and updated, this second edition takes into account new developments of the past four decades, especially regarding information technology.
Central emphasis is placed on the use of the universal variable formulation, although classical methods are also discussed. The development of the basic two-body and n-body equations of motion serves as a foundation for all that follows. Subsequent topics include orbit determination and the classical orbital elements, coordinate transformations, and differential correction. The Kepler and Gauss problems are treated in detail, and two-body mechanics are applied to the ballistic missile problem. Perturbations, integration schemes and error, and analytic formulations of several common perturbations are introduced. Example problems and exercises appear throughout the text, along with photographs, diagrams, and drawings. Four helpful appendixes conclude the book.
Dover (2013) original publication.
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About the Author
All of the authors are present or former members of the faculty of the Department of Astronautics at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Jerry E. White is still active, and William W. Saylor is the new team member.
Table of Contents
Preface
Chapter 1 TWO-BODY ORBITAL MECHANICS
1.1 Historical Background and Basic Laws
1.2 The N-Body Problem
1.3 The Two-Body Problem
1.4 Constants of the Motion
1.5 The Trajectory Equation
1.6 Relating E and h to the Geometry of an Orbit
1.7 The Elliptical Orbit
1.8 The Circular Orbit
1.9 The Parabolic Orbit
1.10 The Hyperbolic Orbit
1.11 Canonical Units
Exercises
List of References
Chapter 2 ORBIT DETERMINATION FROM OBSERVATIONS
2.1 Historical Background
2.2 Coordinate Systems
2.3 Classical Orbital Elements
2.4 Determining the Orbital Elements from r and v
2.5 Determining r and v from the Orbital Elements
2.6 Coordinate Transformations
2.7 Orbit Determination from a Single Radar Observation
2.8 SEZ to IJK Transformation Using an Ellipsoid Earth Model
2.9 The Measurement of Time
2.10 Orbit Determination from Three Position Vectors
2.11 Orbit Determination from Optical Sightings
2.12 Improving a Preliminary Orbit by Differential Correction
2.13 Space Survelliance
2.14 Type and Location of Sensors
2.15 Ground Track of a Satellite
Exercises
List of References
Chapter 3 BASIC ORBITAL MANEUVERS
3.1 Low Altitiude Earth Orbits
3.2 High Altitude Earth Orbits
3.3 In-Plane Orbit Changes
3.4 Out-Of-Plane Orbit Changes
Exercises
List of References
Chapter 4 POSITION AND VELOCITY AS A FUNCTION OF TIME
4.1 Historical Background
4.2 Time-of-Flight as a Function of Eccentric Anomaly
4.3 A Universal Fomulation for Time-of-Flight
4.4 The Prediction Problem
4.5 Implementing the Universal Variable Formulation
4.6 Classical Formulations of the Kepler Problem
Exercises
List of References
Chapter 5 ORBIT DETERMINATION FROM TWO POSITIONS AND TIME
5.1 Historical Background
5.2 The Gauss Problem - General Methods of Solution
5.3 Solution of the Gauss Problem via Universal Variables
5.4 The p-Iteration Method
5.5 The Gauss Problem Using the f and g Series
5.6 The Original Gauss Method
5.7 Practical Applications of the Gauss Problem - Intercept and Rendezvous
5.8 Determination of Orbit from Sighting Directions at Station
Exercises
List of References
Chapter 6 BALLISTIC MISSILE TRAJECTORIES
6.1 Historical Background
6.2 The General Ballistic Missile Problem
6.3 Effect of Launching Errors on Range
6.4 The Effect of Earth Rotation
Exercises
List of References
Chapter 7 LUNAR TRAJECTORIES
7.1 Historical Background
7.2 The Earth-Moon System
7.3 Simple Earth-Moon Trajectories
7.4 The Patched-Conic Approximation
7.5 Non-Coplanar Lunar Trajectories
Exercises
List of References
Chapter 8 INTERPLANETARY TRAJECTORIES
8.1 Historical Background
8.2 The Solar System
8.3 The Patched-Conic Approximation
8.4 Non-Coplanar Interplanetary Trajectories
Exercises
List of References
Chapter 9 PERTURBATIONS
9.1 Introduction and Historical Background
9.2 Cowell's Method
9.3 Encke's Method
9.4 Variation of Parameters or Elements
9.5 Comments on Integration Schemes and Errors
9.6 Numerical Integration Methods
9.7 Analytic Formulation of Perturbative Accelerations
Exercises
List of References
Appendix A Astrodynamic Constants
Appendix B Miscellaneous Constants and Conversions
Appendix C Vector Review
Appendix D Suggested Projects
Index