Jarra never wanted to be a celebrity. All she ever wanted was to gain some respect for the people left on Earth: the unlucky few whose immune system prevents them from portaling to other planets. Except now she's the most famous Earth girl in the universe - but not everyone in the universe is happy about it, nor the fact that she has found love with a norm. Jarra's actions have repercussions that spread further than she ever could have imagined, and political unrest threatens to tear apart the delicate balance of peace between humanity's worlds. On top of everything, the first alien artifact ever discovered appears to be waiting for Jarra to reveal its secrets. But to do so, she must somehow find a way to leave Earth - or else the alien artifact will be lost forever. Is there a way for Jarra to travel to another planet? Or is her destiny only to look to the stars - but never to reach them? From the Hardcover edition.

Methods of controlling the trajectories of high-drag--low-lift vehicles entering the earth's atmosphere at angles of attack near 90° and at initial entry angles up to --3° are studied. The trajectories are calculated for vehicles whose angle of attack can be held constant at some specified value or can be perfectly controlled as a function of some measured quantity along the trajectory. The results might be applied in the design of automatic control systems or in the design of instruments which will give the human pilot sufficient information to control his trajectory properly during an atmospheric entry. Trajectory data are compared on the basis of the deceleration, range, angle of attack, and, in some cases, the rate of descent. The aerodynamic heat-transfer rate and skin temperature of a vehicle with a simple heat-sink type of structure are calculated for trajectories made with several types of control functions.

This book offers a comprehensive look at the history of space exploration, the technology that makes it possible, and the continued efforts that promise to carry us into the future. It goes through the history of space exploration, from the earliest sub-orbital and orbital missions to today's deep-space probes, to provide a close look at past and present projects, then turns its attention to programs being planned today and to the significance of future exploration. Both the novice and the advanced student of space exploration stand to profit from the author's engaging and insightful discussion.

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.

Classic text analyzes trajectories of aircraft, missiles, satellites, and spaceships in terms of gravitational forces, aerodynamic forces, and thrust. Topics include general principles of kinematics, dynamics, aerodynamics, propulsion; quasi-steady and non-steady flight; and applications. 1962 edition.

Flight Simulation Software Explains the many aspects of flight simulator design, including open source tools for developing an engineering flight simulator Flight simulation is an indispensable technology for civil and military aviation and the aerospace industry. Real-time simulation tools span across all aspects of aircraft development, from aerodynamics and flight dynamics to avionics and image generation systems. Knowledge of flight simulation software is vital for aerospace engineering professionals, educators, and students. Flight Simulation Software contains comprehensive and up-to-date coverage of the computer tools required to design and develop a flight simulator. Written by a noted expert with decades of experience developing flight simulators in academia, this highly practical resource enables readers to develop their own simulations with readily available open source software rather than relying on costly commercial simulation packages. The book features working software taken from operational flight simulators and provides step-by-step guidance on software design, computer graphics, parallel processing, aircraft equations of motion, navigation and flight control systems, and more. Explains both fundamental theory and real-world practice of simulation in engineering design Covers a wide range of topics, including coding standards, software validation, user interface design, and sensor modelling Describes techniques used in modern flight simulation including distributed architectures and the use of GPUs for real-time graphics rendering Addresses unique aspects of flight simulation such as designing flight control systems, visual systems, and simulator instructor stations Includes a companion website with downloadable open-source software and additional resources Flight Simulation Software is a must-have guide for all developers and users of simulation tools, as well as the ideal textbook for relevant undergraduate and postgraduate courses in computer science, aeronautical engineering, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering programs.

The Flight Navigator Handbook provides information on all phases of air navigation and is a source of reference for everyone in the field, from navigators to navigator students. This handbook explains how to measure, chart the earth, and use flight instruments to solve basic navigation problems. It also contains data pertaining to flight publications, preflight planning, in-flight procedures, and low altitude navigation. Specific topics covered throughout the pages of this informational and helpful guide include: Reading maps, charts, and grids Dead reckoning Radio aid fixing and radio navigation Celestial concepts and special celestial techniques Computing altitude Pressure pattern navigation And much more! Additional information can also be found in the four included and up-to-date appendixes. This includes a listing of references and supporting information used in this publication; mathematical formulas to use as an aid in preflight and in-flight computations; chart and navigation symbols; and a Celestial Computation Sheet.

Photographs taken from the BBC televison series, EarthFlight; book published to accompany the TV series produced for the BBC by John Downer Productions Ltd and first broadcast on BBC1 in 2012.

Edge of Flight is the toughest rock-climbing route Vanisha has ever faced. She has one last chance to conquer it before she moves to Vermont to start university. University is a sore point for Vanisha, who yearns for a career in the outdoors but feels pressured by her mother to earn an academic degree. Trying to put school out of her mind, she heads to the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas with her buddies Rusty and Jeb for a final weekend of climbing and camping. Deep in the woods, they stumble on an illegal marijuana plantation, and the gang of bikers who guard it. When Jeb is shot by the bikers, Vanisha alone must get help—and to do so, she must climb Edge of Flight. As she confronts her insecurities on the cliff face and in the woods, Vanisha gains a new resolve and the self-confidence to choose her own path in life.