Spacecraft Mission Design (AIAA Education Series)

By Charles D. Brown

This text focuses on the most general and most practical tools needed for the early spacecraft design studies, including the principles of two-body motion, definition of orbits, orbital maneuvers, and central body observation. The use of elementary mathematics makes this concise book ideal for upperclass college students, graduates, and practicing engineers or managers. There are enough worked examples that one can be self taught. The second edition includes astronomical reference material, sections on constellations, lunar trajectories, and cycler orbits. ORBWIN allows you to proceed directly from understanding into professional work. It defines all orbital elements for any orbit, provides the parameters at any orbital point, calculates spacecraft horizon, instrument field of view, orbit perturbations, ground track, planetary ephemeris, conversion of Julian days, oblique triangle solutions, and propellant weight projections. Any major body in the solar system may be used as the central body.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1563470411
• ISBN13: 9781563470417
• Release Date: January 1992
• Publisher: Amer Inst of Aeronautics &
• Length: 210 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.5" x 6.5" x 0.8"

Customer Reviews

Excellent Practitioner's Reference

This is an excellent reference for aerospace engineer's to have on their desk. It summarizes all the necessary equations used in the design of spacecraft missions. It is not a "deep" book in the sense that there are minimal derivations. It is not a "tutorial" book, either, for anyone new to the field. For a tutorial and/or in depth mathematical derivations, look elsewhere (e.g., Battin: Introduction to the Mathematics and Methods of Astrodynamics or Vallado: Fundamentals of Astrodynamics and Applications). However, the author is true to the goal he states in his preface: "I like a book that will fit in your briefcase." Despite being very thin, it has proven very useful for me in my work. I highly recommend it! (The ORBWIN software included with the book is also highly useful.)