Fundamentals of Astrodynamics and Applications

This book integrates two-body dynamics and applications with perturbation methods and real-world applications. It cites many references and alternative methods that allow you to expand your understanding of the topics. Undergraduate courses can cover introductory sections on each topic, whereas graduate-level courses can explore the concepts in greater detail. All courses use the same standardized approach and consistent notation.

The book consolidates recent literature about coordinate systems and fundamental concepts while recognizing that the computer is how you’ll implement most of the routines. Its extensive derivations give you a concrete knowledge of the basics It thoroughly discusses maneuvers, covers initial orbit determination, perturbation techniques (propagation), and estimation algorithms. Perhaps more than any other subfield within astrodynamics, the study of perturbations has changed tremendously with the increased power of microcomputers. What used to require a room-sized mainframe computer now occurs on your laptop in an airplane. The last chapter analyzes real-world problems of specific orbit design, GPS navigation, and several useful routines for analyzing orbital problems.