Themechanicsofspace?ightisan olddiscipline.Itstopicoriginallywasthemotion of planets, moons and other celestial bodies in gravitational ?elds. Kepler’s (1571 - 1630) observations and measurements have led to probably the ?rst mathematical description of planet’s motion. Newton (1642 - 1727) gave then, with the devel- ment of his principles of mechanics, the physical explanation of these motions. Since then man has started in the second half of the 20th centuryto capture ph- ically the Space in the sense that he did develop arti?cial celestial bodies, which he brought into Earth’s orbits, like satellites or space stations, or which he did send to planets or moons of our planetary system, like probes, or by which p- ple were brought to the moon and back, like capsules. Further he developed an advanced space transportation system, the U.S. Space Shuttle Orbiter, which is the only winged space vehicle ever in operation. In the last two and a half decades there were several activities in the world in order to succeed the U.S. Orbiter, like the HERMES project in Europe, the HOPE project in Japan, the X-33, X-34 and X-37 studies and demonstrators in the United States and the joint U.S. - European project X-38. However, all these projects were cancelled. The motion of these vehicles can be described by Newton’s equation of motion.

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.

;Contents: Fundamentals of rocket and space dynamics; Terrestrial flights; Flights to the moon; Interplanetary flights; Space flights.

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.