Celestial Mechanics and Astrodynamics: Theory and Practice

by Pini Gurfil, P. Kenneth Seidelmann

Overview

This volume is designed as an introductory text and reference book for graduate students, researchers and practitioners in the fields of astronomy, astrodynamics, satellite systems, space sciences and astrophysics. The purpose of the book is to emphasize the similarities between celestial mechanics and astrodynamics, and to present recent advances in these two fields so that the reader can understand the inter-relations and mutual influences. The juxtaposition of celestial mechanics and astrodynamics is a unique approach that is expected to be a refreshing attempt to discuss both the mechanics of space flight and the dynamics of celestial objects.

“Celestial Mechanics and Astrodynamics: Theory and Practice” also presents the main challenges and future prospects for the two fields in an elaborate, comprehensive and rigorous manner. The book presents homogenous and fluent discussions of the key problems, rendering a portrayal of recent advances in the field together with some basic concepts and essential infrastructure in orbital mechanics. The text contains introductory material followed by a gradual development of ideas interweaved to yield a coherent presentation of advanced topics.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783662503683
Publisher:	Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Publication date:	07/29/2016
Series:	Astrophysics and Space Science Library , #436
Edition description:	1st ed. 2016
Pages:	522
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)

About the Author

Dr. Pini Gurfil is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology. Prof. Gurfil has been conducting research in astrodynamics, distributed space systems, trajectory optimization, vision-aided navigation and tracking, and multi-agent systems.
Dr. Seidelmann is Research Professor at the University of Virginia, President of the Celestial Mechanics Institute and past chairman of the IAU/IAG Working Group on Cartographic Coordinates and Rotational Elements. His recent work has focused on space astrometry missions, reference systems, space surveillance.

Table of Contents

Introduction.- Vectors.- Reference Systems and Relativity.- Central Force Motion.- The Two-Body Problem.- Orbit Determination.- The n-Body Problem.- The Restricted Three-Body Problem.- Numerical Procedures.- Canonical Equations.- General Perturbations Theory.- Motion Around Oblate Planets.- Semianalytical Orbit Theory.- Satellite Orbit Control.- Optimal Impulsive Orbit Transfers.- Orbit Data Processing.- Space Debris.- People, Progress, Prospects.

Editorial Reviews

I found it to be very readable and an interesting introduction to the field of astrodynamics. I think it succeeds in its intention to emphasize the similarities between celestial mechanics and astrodynamics as well as the problems involved in dealing with real data. It is well-illustrated and is supported by good reference material. … the authors are to be congratulated on generating an excellent text-book which should find its place on any astronomer’s bookshelf.” (Steve Bell, The Observatory, Vol. 137, August, 2017)

“This book combines the two disciplines in the aerospace community. … The strength of the book lies in its comprehensive illustrations of mathematics, figures and modern developments. … this book can serve as a good guide to exploring the numerical work in astrodynamics.” (Chih-Yueh Wang, Contemporary Physics, Vol. 58 (3), July, 2017)

From the Publisher