Introduction to Orbital Mechanics

A Concise and Practical Approach

Inbunden, Engelska, 2026

1 324 kr

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Beskrivning

Offers a concise, practical, and student-friendly introduction to orbital mechanics for aerospace and astronautical engineering courses Orbital mechanics is one of the foundational disciplines of aerospace engineering, providing the theoretical and practical tools needed to understand, model, and navigate the trajectories of spacecraft both in Earth orbit and on interplanetary missions. Introduction to Orbital Mechanics: A Concise and Practical Approach presents essential principles in a concise, progressive manner. Ideally suited to the academic structure of both 10-week quarters and 14-week semesters, this textbook begins with a historical perspective on the development of orbital mechanics before introducing the essential physical principles of orbital motion. Students are guided through the basic two-body problem for position and velocity in the plane of an orbit, followed by orbital motion in three-dimensions. Those core topics are then extended to orbital maneuvers, interplanetary transfers, and planetary encounters. More advanced topics including orbital perturbations and ground tracks, orbital decay, methods for orbit determination, spacecraft rendezvous, and three-body motion are then presented. References supporting the mathematical derivations for the advanced topics are provided. Finally, the fundamentals of rocket propulsion and launch dynamics are covered, rounding out a comprehensive yet concise overview of orbital mechanics. Worked examples and end-of-chapter problems reinforce concepts, ensuring students progressively build understanding while maintaining focus on the core topics most relevant to modern spaceflight. This textbook: Focuses on clarity and accessibility, avoiding unnecessary mathematical complexity in advanced topicsCovers orbital motion in both the orbital plane and in three dimensionsContains in-depth discussion of orbital maneuvers, interplanetary trajectories, and planetary encountersDiscusses satellite ground tracks, perturbations, and orbit decaySurveys methods for orbit determination from observationsCovers orbital rendezvous and spacecraft motion in the Earth-Moon systemConsiders practical issues related to spacecraft propulsion and launch dynamicsIntroduction to Orbital Mechanics: A Concise and Practical Approach is perfect for upper-level undergraduates studying orbital mechanics and rocket propulsion within aerospace or astronautical engineering programs. The text is also suitable for related courses in physics and astronomy and serves as a valuable reference for early-career engineers entering the aerospace industry.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum:2026-03-03
Mått:180 x 257 x 15 mm
Vikt:612 g
Format:Inbunden
Språk:Engelska
Antal sidor:224
Förlag:John Wiley & Sons Inc
ISBN:9781394190157

Utforska kategorier

Maskinteknik och material inom Naturvetenskap och teknik

Mer om författaren

James C. Hermanson, PhD, is Professor in the William E. Boeing Department of Aeronautics & Astronautics at the University of Washington, Seattle. He has held faculty positions at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and the University of Connecticut, as well as positions in industry at Boeing Aerospace Company and United Technologies Corporation. His research spans propulsion, combustion, gas dynamics, heat transfer and multiphase flow, cryogenics, and microgravity science, with projects funded by NASA, the National Science Foundation, the Office of Naval Research, the State of Washington, and private industry.

Innehållsförteckning

About the Author xiPreface xiiiAcknowledgments xvii1 Introduction 11.1 Astronomy and the Development of Orbital Mechanics 11.2 The Development of the Orbital Mechanics of Spacecraft 71.3 A First Estimate of Planetary Periods 101.4 Examples of Non-Western Astronomy 121.4.1 Babylonian 121.4.2 Chinese 131.4.3 Mayan 151.5 Problem 162 Orbits and Trajectories 172.1 Gravitational Forces, the 2-Body Model and Newton’s Laws of Motion 172.2 Further Justification, and Limitations, of the 2-Body Model 192.3 The Governing Equation for 2-Body Orbital Motion 212.4 Conservation Laws of Angular Momentum and Energy 232.4.1 Conservation of Specific Angular Momentum 242.4.2 Conservation of Specific Mechanical Energy 252.5 The Orbit Equation 272.6 The Geometry of 2-Body Orbits and Trajectories 282.6.1 Elliptical Orbits 292.6.2 Parabolic Trajectories 322.6.3 Relationships Between the Energy and Angular Momentum and the Eccentricity and Velocities of an Orbit 322.6.4 Hyperbolic Trajectories 352.6.5 Degenerate Cases 402.7 Problems 413 Elapsed Time and Position on Orbits and Trajectories 453.1 Circular Orbits 453.2 Elliptical Orbits 463.2.1 Geometric Method - Elliptical Orbits 463.2.2 Analytical Method - Elliptical Orbits 503.2.3 Orbits with Periapsis Passage 523.2.4 Inverse Problem 533.3 Parabolic Trajectories 553.4 Hyperbolic Trajectories 553.4.1 Geometric Method - Hyperbolic Trajectories 563.4.2 Analytical Method - Hyperbolic Trajectories 573.5 Problems 594 Orbits in Three Dimensions 654.1 Three-Dimensional Orbital Elements 654.2 Reference Frames 694.2.1 Heliocentric Reference Frame 694.2.2 Geocentric Reference Frame 714.2.3 Perifocal Reference Frame 724.2.4 Topocentric Reference Frame 734.3 Coordinate Frame Transformations 734.3.1 Transformations Between Perifocal, Geocentric, and Topocentric Coordinates 764.4 Problems 805 Orbital Maneuvers 835.1 Impulsive Maneuvers 835.2 The Hohmann Transfer 845.3 Limiting Geometries for Transfer Between Two Orbits 865.4 Bi-Elliptic Hohmann Transfer 875.5 Phasing Maneuver 905.6 General Transfer 915.7 Chase Maneuver 945.8 Apse Line Rotation 955.9 Plane Changes 975.10 Combined Maneuvers 995.11 Problems 996 Interplanetary Trajectories and Maneuvers 1036.1 Planetary Phasing 1036.2 Patched-Conic Approximation 1056.3 Sphere of Influence 1066.4 Earth-Departure Trajectories 1086.5 Planetary Hohmann Transfers 1096.6 General Planetary Approach 1126.7 Planetary Encounters 1156.8 Problems 1207 Earth Satellites and Ground Tracks 1237.1 Satellite Ground Tracks 1237.2 Earth Rotation Effects 1247.3 Geosynchronous/Geostationary Orbits 1287.4 Orbital Perturbations – Gravitational Effects 1307.5 Orbital Perturbations – Atmospheric Drag Effects 1367.6 Problems 1398 Methods for Orbit Determination 1418.1 Simultaneous Velocity and Radius Vectors Known 1418.2 Three Position Vectors Known (Gibbs’/Gauss’ Method) 1418.3 Lambert’s Problem (Two Vector Positions Plus Times Known) 1458.4 Topocentric-Based Systems 1488.4.1 Range, Azimuth, and Elevation (and Their Rates) Known 1488.4.2 Azimuths and Elevations Known at Multiple Times 1508.5 Problems 1529 Relative Motion and the Restricted 3-Body Problem 1559.1 Relative Motion 1559.2 Restricted 3-Body Problem and Earth-Moon Trajectories 1619.3 Restricted 3-Body Problem – Whole-Field Solution 1649.4 Problems 16910 Rocket Fundamentals and Space Propulsion 17110.1 Principles of Rocket Thrust 17110.2 Rocket Performance 17410.3 Staging 17710.4 Sounding Rockets 18110.5 Electric Spacecraft Propulsion 18310.6 Low-Thrust Maneuvers for Orbit Raising 19010.7 Problems 191Appendix 1 Solar System Properties 195Index 197