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"Orbital Mechanics for Dummies"
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Steve Mazerski wrote: ...What I am looking for now is a basic but solid introduction into orbital / space flight mechanics, e.g. how to calculate what energy is needed to take an object from point A to point B, what is a delta V etc. Can anyone recommend introductory books on the subject? At the moment, I'm not aware of a gentle "For Dummies" introduction that proceeds far enough to give you a useful technical grounding, alas. The best introductory text I've seen is Prussing&Conway's "Orbital Mechanics", but it is a university text, so it may be slow going for an absolute beginner or someone short on math background. If you have a good library on hand, you might look for Max Hunter's "Thrust Into Space", but it is loooooong out of print (and essentially impossible to find on the used market). (And one unrecommendation: Bate/Mueller/White's "Fundamentals of Astrodynamics" is popular but in my opinion not very good. Its sole virtue is that it's cheap. Might be worth experimenting with if P&C proves unsatisfactory.) -- MOST launched 1015 EDT 30 June, separated 1046, | Henry Spencer first ground-station pass 1651, all nominal! | |
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"Orbital Mechanics for Dummies"
Steve Mazerski wrote:
Can anyone recommend introductory books on the subject? I am imagining something along the lines of a none-existent "Orbital Mechanics for Dummies". Certainly: Lee, Wayne: To Rise from Earth: An Easy-To-Understand Guide to Space Flight http://tinyurl.com/lxxo (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...1062501195/sr= 1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-5726593-8558540?v=glance&s=books) I think it's a great book! From amazon.com: "To Rise From Earth is a good introduction to the science of space flight. A combination of history and science, this well illustrated book explains the basic science of space flight, orbital mechanics and flying to other planets at a level that should be understandable by a high school student. The book is profusely illustrated, and full of marginal comments - Historical facts, Scientific facts, Rules of thumb - which make it very dippable. True to its intent, it explains the pricipals of space flight clearly, without using a single equation. As well as the theory, the book also gives a history of space flight, from the first experiments with rockects by Goddard and von Braun, through the American manned space programs (Mercury, Gemini, Apollo), with a large chapter devoted to the Space Shuttle. A review of unmanned planetary probes is also given, along with a final chapter on future exploration of Mars. Throughout the book focuses on the American space program. One of its shortcomings is that the Russian space program is almost completely ignored. Also some of the Scientific and Historical facts given are wrong. Overall, a very simple, readable and useful reference." -- Steen Eiler Jørgensen "No, I don't think I'll ever get over Macho Grande. Those wounds run...pretty deep." |
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"Orbital Mechanics for Dummies"
I HIGHLY recommend "Understanding Space: An Introduction to
Astronautics" by Jerry Jon Sellers. This book is very readable and gives an introductory but very detailed explanation of all aspects of spaceflight including propulsion, spacecraft systems, guidance/navigation, and a very detailed explanation of orbital mechanics. Some of the orbital material covered include the calculation of the six classical orbital elements from two observation vectors, patched conic section flight paths for planetary missions, and re-entry calculations using ballistic coefficients. The math used is at an advanced high school or college freshman level (very little, if any, calculus, lots of vector and matrix math clearly explained in the appendix). To get the most out of this book, you MUST work the chapter exercises. I had to because this was a textbook used for my Masters in Space Systems Operations Management ;^) It's a little pricey at around $70 but it is 110% worth it if you want a solid introduction to real spaceflight. This book will definitely separate you as a real layman rocket scientist from the techno-peasant astronaut wannabes. An alternate less expensive orbital book is the classic (and somewhat dated) "Fundamentals of Astrodynamics" by Roger Bate, Donald Mueller, and Jerry White. Good luck with your studies! Martin |
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"Orbital Mechanics for Dummies"
Can anyone recommend introductory
books on the subject? The book "To Rise from Earth: An Easy to Understand Guide to Space Flight" by Wayne Lee (a mission planner at NASA) could serve as a good introduction. Very easy to read and nicely illustrated. Chapter 2 is "Above the Clouds: Orbital Mechanics Without Math", and Chapter 3 is "Dancing in the Dark: How to Perform Space Maneuvers." Amazon.com carries the book, and your local library might even have a copy. James ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Remove "NOSPAM" from my address when sending me e-mail. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ - |
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"Orbital Mechanics for Dummies"
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"Orbital Mechanics for Dummies"
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