The concept of aeroassisting for orbital transfer has been recognized as
one of the critical technologies for pioneering the space frontier. In
space transportation systems, aeroassisting (or aerobraking), defined as
the deceleration resulting from the effects of atmospheric drag upon a
vehicle during orbital operations, opens new mission opportunities,
especially with regard to the establishment of the permanent Space
Station Freedom and space explorations to other planets such as Mars.
The main areas of research reported in this monograph are atmospheric
entry problem by the method of matched asymptotic expansions, coplanar
and non-coplanar orbital transfers with aeroassist technology, orbital
plan change with aerocruise, and neighbouring optimal guidance. A
special feature is the bibliography which will provide the reader with a
literature status for further research.