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.

Examines how solar and terrestrial space phenomena affect sophisticated technological systems Contemporary society relies on sophisticated technologies to manage electricity distribution, communication networks, transportation safety, and myriad other systems. The successful design and operation of both ground-based and space-based systems must consider solar and terrestrial space phenomena and processes. Space Weather Effects and Applications describes the effects of space weather on various present-day technologies and explores how improved instrumentation to measure Earth's space environment can be used to more accurately forecast changes and disruptions. Volume highlights include: Damage and disruption to orbiting satellite equipment by solar particles and cosmic rays Effects of space radiation on aircraft at high altitudes and latitudes Response of radio and radar-based systems to solar bursts Disturbances to the propagation of radio waves caused by space weather How geomagnetic field changes impact ground-based systems such as pipelines Impacts of human exposure to the space radiation environment The American Geophysical Union promotes discovery in Earth and space science for the benefit of humanity. Its publications disseminate scientific knowledge and provide resources for researchers, students, and professionals. Find out more about the Space Physics and Aeronomy collection in this Q&A with the Editors in Chief

Since the beginning of space flight, the collision hazard in Earth orbit has increased as the number of artificial objects orbiting the Earth has grown. Spacecraft performing communications, navigation, scientific, and other missions now share Earth orbit with spent rocket bodies, nonfunctional spacecraft, fragments from spacecraft breakups, and other debris created as a byproduct of space operations. Orbital Debris examines the methods we can use to characterize orbital debris, estimates the magnitude of the debris population, and assesses the hazard that this population poses to spacecraft. Potential methods to protect spacecraft are explored. The report also takes a close look at the projected future growth in the debris population and evaluates approaches to reducing that growth. Orbital Debris offers clear recommendations for targeted research on the debris population, for methods to improve the protection of spacecraft, on methods to reduce the creation of debris in the future, and much more.

The contribution of Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) to the definition of the origin of the reference frame (geocenter coordinates), the global scale, and low degree coefficients of the Earth's gravity field is essential due to the remarkable orbit stability of geodetic satellites and the accuracy of laser observations at a level of a few millimeters. Considering these aspects, SLR has an exceptional potential in establishing global networks and deriving geodetic parameters of the supreme quality. SLR faces today the highest requirements of the Global Geodetic Observing System (GGOS) yielding 1 mm of long-term station coordinate and 0.1 mm/y of station velocity stability. The goal of this work is to assess the contribution of the latest models and corrections to the SLR-derived parameters, to enhance the quality and reliability of the SLR-derived products, and to propose a new approach of orbit parameterization for low orbiting geodetic satellites. The impact of orbit perturbations is studied in detail, including perturbing forces of gravitational origin (Earth's gravity field, ocean and atmosphere tides) and perturbing forces of non-gravitational origin (atmospheric drag, the Yarkovsky effect, albedo and Earth's infrared radiation pressure). A multi-satellite combined solution is obtained using SLR observations to LAGEOS-1, LAGEOS-2, Starlette, Stella, and AJISAI. The quality of the SLR-derived parameters from the combined solution is compared with external solutions. The Earth rotation parameters are compared to the IERS-08-C04 series and the GNSS-derived series, whereas the time variable Earth's gravity field coefficients are compared to the CHAMP and GRACE-derived results.

This useful resource deals with satellite orbits, showing how the wide range of available orbits can be used in communications, positioning, remote-sensing, meteorology, and astronomy.

Introduction to Satellite Remote Sensing: Atmosphere, Ocean and Land Applications is the first reference book to cover ocean applications, atmospheric applications, and land applications of remote sensing. Applications of remote sensing data are finding increasing application in fields as diverse as wildlife ecology and coastal recreation management. The technology engages electromagnetic sensors to measure and monitor changes in the earth's surface and atmosphere. The book opens with an introduction to the history of remote sensing, starting from when the phrase was first coined. It goes on to discuss the basic concepts of the various systems, including atmospheric and ocean, then closes with a detailed section on land applications. Due to the cross disciplinary nature of the authors' experience and the content covered, this is a must have reference book for all practitioners and students requiring an introduction to the field of remote sensing. - Provides study questions at the end of each chapter to aid learning - Covers all satellite remote sensing technologies, allowing readers to use the text as instructional material - Includes the most recent technologies and their applications, allowing the reader to stay up-to-date - Delves into laser sensing (LIDAR) and commercial satellites (DigitalGlobe) - Presents examples of specific satellite missions, including those in which new technology has been introduced

“Good corporate drama . . . an enlightening narrative of how new communications infrastructures often come about.” —The Economist, “A Book of the Year 2016” In the early 1990s, Motorola developed a revolutionary satellite system called Iridium that promised to be its crowning achievement. Its constellation of 66 satellites in polar orbit was a mind-boggling technical accomplishment, surely the future of communication. The only problem was that Iridium the company was a commercial disaster. Only months after launching service, it was $11 billion in debt, burning through $100 million a month and crippled by baroque rate plans and agreements that forced calls through Moscow, Beijing, Fucino, Italy, and elsewhere. Bankruptcy was inevitable—the largest to that point in American history. And when no real buyers seemed to materialize, it looked like Iridium would go down as just a “science experiment.” That is, until Dan Colussy got a wild idea. Colussy, a former head of Pan-Am now retired and working on his golf game in Palm Beach, heard about Motorola’s plans to “de-orbit” the system and decided he would buy Iridium and somehow turn around one of the biggest blunders in the history of business. Impeccably researched and wonderfully told, Eccentric Orbits is a rollicking, unforgettable tale of technological achievement, business failure, the military-industrial complex, and one of the greatest deals of all time. “Deep reporting put forward with epic intentions . . . a story that soars and jumps and dives and digresses . . . [A] big, gutsy, exciting book.” —The Wall Street Journal, “A Top 10 Nonfiction Book of 2016” “Spellbinding . . . A tireless researcher, Bloom delivers a superlative history . . . A tour de force.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

The GOES-R Series: A New Generation of Geostationary Environmental Satellites introduces the reader to the most significant advance in weather technology in a generation. The world's new constellation of geostationary operational environmental satellites (GOES) are in the midst of a drastic revolution with their greatly improved capabilities that provide orders of magnitude improvements in spatial, temporal and spectral resolution. Never before have routine observations been possible over such a wide area. Imagine satellite images over the full disk every 10 or 15 minutes and monitoring of severe storms, cyclones, fires and volcanic eruptions on the scale of minutes. - Introduces the GOES-R Series, with chapters on each of its new products - Provides an overview of how to read new satellite images - Includes full-color images and online animations that demonstrate the power of this new technology