Introduction to Orbital Mechanics

Offers a concise, practical, and student-friendly introduction to orbital mechanics for aerospace and astronautical engineering courses

Orbital mechanics is one of the foundational disciplines of aerospace engineering, providing the theoretical and practical tools needed to understand, model, and navigate the trajectories of spacecraft both in Earth orbit and on interplanetary missions. Introduction to Orbital Mechanics: A Concise and Practical Approach presents essential principles in a concise, progressive manner.

Ideally suited to the academic structure of both 10-week quarters and 14-week semesters, this textbook begins with a historical perspective on the development of orbital mechanics before introducing the essential physical principles of orbital motion. Students are guided through the basic two-body problem for position and velocity in the plane of an orbit, followed by orbital motion in three-dimensions. Those core topics are then extended to orbital maneuvers, interplanetary transfers, and planetary encounters. More advanced topics including orbital perturbations and ground tracks, orbital decay, methods for orbit determination, spacecraft rendezvous, and three-body motion are then presented. References supporting the mathematical derivations for the advanced topics are provided. Finally, the fundamentals of rocket propulsion and launch dynamics are covered, rounding out a comprehensive yet concise overview of orbital mechanics. Worked examples and end-of-chapter problems reinforce concepts, ensuring students progressively build understanding while maintaining focus on the core topics most relevant to modern spaceflight. This textbook:

• Focuses on clarity and accessibility, avoiding unnecessary mathematical complexity in advanced topics
• Covers orbital motion in both the orbital plane and in three dimensions
• Contains in-depth discussion of orbital maneuvers, interplanetary trajectories, and planetary encounters
• Discusses satellite ground tracks, perturbations, and orbit decay
• Surveys methods for orbit determination from observations
• Covers orbital rendezvous and spacecraft motion in the Earth-Moon system
• Considers practical issues related to spacecraft propulsion and launch dynamics

Introduction to Orbital Mechanics: A Concise and Practical Approach is perfect for upper-level undergraduates studying orbital mechanics and rocket propulsion within aerospace or astronautical engineering programs. The text is also suitable for related courses in physics and astronomy and serves as a valuable reference for early-career engineers entering the aerospace industry.