The present book Essential Spaceflight Dynamics and Magnetospherics
describes, in the first instance, some of the key aspects of celestial
mechanics and spaceflight dynamics. It begins with classical two and
three body problems illustrative of the aesthetic aspects of applying
analytical methods of investigation to celestial mechanics. Then,
osculating orbital elements are introduced as well as analysis
techniques sufficient to evaluate the influence of various disturbing
forces on spacecraft. Next a theory of manoeuvres is outlined and the
methodology of making interplanetary trajectory corrections. Ideas
involving various approaches to orbital element determinations using
measured data are also considered. The forces applied to a spacecraft
can result in the development of torques that influence attitude motion
and the effects of the most important of these are described in terms of
equilibrium positions, periodic motions, steady-state and transient
motions. Also considered is the problem of attitude control of a
spacecraft using active and/or passive methods of orientation and
stabilization. In addition, a more advanced treatment of the development
of attitude control systems is provided.
A description of the Earth's magnetic and gravitational fields allows
clarification of the relationship between natural features of the
Earth's environment and the requirements of mission design, orbit
construction and approaches to attitude control. A detailed Addendum
provides an overview of circumstances on the Sun that render
interplanetary space a very hazardous environment for spacecraft and for
`man in space'. The influence of this environment on spacecraft
performance and survival is then presented, together with an outline of
some of the mitigating strategies that can be invoked. A feature of the
Addendum is the indication it provides of the challenges that the next
generation of space experiments will pose to mission designers. It is
accompanied by a separate set of references since if refers to ongoing
work in space physics rather than to classical material.
