This book focuses on the theory and design of special space orbits. Offering a systematic and detailed introduction to the hovering orbit, spiral cruising orbit, multi-target rendezvous orbit, initiative approaching orbit, responsive orbit and earth pole-sitter orbit, it also discusses the concept, theory, design methods and application of special space orbits, particularly the design and control method based on kinematics and astrodynamics. In addition the book presents the latest research and its application in space missions. It is intended for researchers, engineers and postgraduates, especially those working in the fields of orbit design and control, as well as space-mission planning and research.

This modern presentation guides readers through the theory and practice of satellite orbit prediction and determination. Starting from the basic principles of orbital mechanics, it covers elaborate force models as well as precise methods of satellite tracking. The accompanying CD-ROM includes source code in C++ and relevant data files for applications. The result is a powerful and unique spaceflight dynamics library, which allows users to easily create software extensions. An extensive collection of frequently updated Internet resources is provided through WWW hyperlinks.

Ein lebendiger Abriß der Theorie der Umlaufbahnen, geschrieben von einem Spezialisten, der für Computersimulationen und Systemanalysen der Saturn-V-Rakete, des Projektes Skylab und vieler anderer Projekte zuständig war. Die Diskussion umfaßt auch unkonventionelle Ansätze und Paradoxa. Schwerpunkte liegen unter anderem auf Raketenantrieben, Optimierung des Verhältnisses zwischen Nutzlast und Treibstoffverbrauch und der Wechselwirkung zwischen Raumfahrzeugen und Raumobjekten. (11/97)

This book highlights the fundamental physics of orbit theory, dynamical models, methods of orbit determination, design, measurement, adjustment, and complete calculations for the position, tracking, and prediction of satellites and deep spacecraft. It emphasizes specific methods, related mathematical calculations, and worked examples and exercises. Therefore, technicians and engineers in the aerospace industry can directly apply them to their practical work. Dedicated to undergraduate students and graduate students, researchers, and professionals in astronomy, physics, space science, and related aerospace industries, the book is an integrated work based on the accumulated knowledge in satellite orbit dynamics and the author’s more than five decades of personal research and teaching experience in astronomy and aerospace dynamics.

In recent decades, the number of satellites being built and launched into Earth’s orbit has grown immensely, alongside the field of space engineering itself. This book offers an in-depth guide to engineers and professionals seeking to understand the technologies behind Low Earth Orbit satellites. With access to special spreadsheets that provide the key equations and relationships needed for mastering spacecraft design, this book gives the growing crop of space engineers and professionals the tools and resources they need to prepare their own LEO satellite designs, which is especially useful for designers of small satellites such as those launched by universities. Each chapter breaks down the various mathematics and principles underlying current spacecraft software and hardware designs.

This book discusses the design of new space missions and their use for a better understanding of the dynamical behaviour of solar system bodies, which is an active field of astrodynamics. Space missions gather data and observations that enable new breakthroughs in our understanding of the origin, evolution and future of our solar system and Earth’s place within it. Covering topics such as satellite and space mission dynamics, celestial mechanics, spacecraft navigation, space exploration applications, artificial satellites, space debris, minor bodies, and tidal evolution, the book presents a collection of contributions given by internationally respected scientists at the summer school “Satellite Dynamics and Space Missions: Theory and Applications of Celestial Mechanics”, held in 2017 at San Martino al Cimino, Viterbo (Italy). This school aimed to teach the latest theories, tools and methods developed for satellite dynamics and space, and as such the book is a valuable resource for graduate students and researchers in the field of celestial mechanics and aerospace engineering.

A comprehensive description of the Hansen theory of satellite orbit calculation, as modified by Musen, is presented. The equations of the theory are developed in sufficient detail to allow the reader to relate them to fundamental laws of celestial mechanics. The physical and mathematical concepts underlying Hansen's coordinate system and auxiliary ellipse are treated. The disturbing potential function and its derivatives are developed in the derivation of equations for the perturbations in the orbit plane, as well as the perturbations of the orbit plane. The method is described for determination of the final position and velocity vectors of the real satellite and determination of the osculating elements. Finally, a brief evaluation of the theory is presented.

This work presents the state-of-the-art in numerical and analytical techniques as well as future trends associated with "mission design" for libration point orbits. It contains papers explaining theoretical developments and their applications, including the accurate description of some actual libration point missions of ESA and NASA. The existing software in the field and some applications beyond the neighbourhood of the Earth are also presented. Special emphasis is placed on the use of dynamical system methodology in the libration-point-orbits mission design.

Describes the essence of the orbit method for non-experts and gives a detailed exposition of the method. This work can be used as a text for a graduate course, as well as a handbook for non-experts and a reference book for research mathematicians and mathematical physicists.

The development of the orbits theory lags behind the development of satellite technology. This book provides, for the first time in the history of human satellite development, the complete third order solution of the orbits under all possible disturbances. It describes the theory of satellite orbits, derives the complete solutions of the orbital disturbances, describes the algorithms of orbits determination based on the theory, describes the applications of the theory to the phenomenon of the satellite formation physically. The subjects include: Orbits Motion Equations, Disturbance theory, Solutions of the differential Equations, Algorithms of Orbits determinations, Applications of the theory to the satellite formation.