Orbital Mechanics and Spacecraft Navigation
Astrodynamics Fundamentals and Applications From First Principles for Engineering StudentsBy Rasmus Kjeldgaard
Length13h 16m
About this audiobook
A first-principles astrodynamics textbook that derives orbital mechanics, spacecraft manoeuvres and navigation estimation from the two-body problem through to interplanetary trajectories.
Audiobook details
GenreTechnology, Science and Nature
Length13 hrs 16 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateSep 27, 2026
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Orbital Mechanics and Spacecraft Navigation
2Foreword
3Preface
4About This Book
5Chapter 1: The Two-Body Problem and the Orbit Equation
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61.1 Relative Motion and the Restricted Two-Body Assumption
71.2 Angular Momentum and the Plane of Motion
81.3 The Orbit Equation and the Eccentricity Vector
91.4 Energy, the Vis-Viva Relation and Conic Classification
101.5 Canonical Units and Numerical Conditioning
11Chapter 2: Orbital Elements and Reference Frames
122.1 The Classical Orbital Elements
132.2 Converting Between State Vectors and Elements
142.3 Inertial, Earth-Fixed, Perifocal and RTN Frames
152.4 Equinoctial and Nonsingular Element Sets
162.5 Geometry of the Orbit in Space
17Chapter 3: Kepler’s Equation and Position in Time
183.1 Mean, Eccentric and True Anomaly
193.2 Solving Kepler’s Equation
203.3 Universal Variables and Propagation
213.4 Hyperbolic and Parabolic Motion
223.5 Numerical Propagation and Ephemeris Generation
23Chapter 4: Orbit Determination from Observations
244.1 The Orbit Determination Problem
254.2 Position-Vector Methods
264.3 Angles-Only Determination
274.4 The Lambert Boundary-Value Problem
284.5 Observation Geometry and Error Propagation
29Chapter 5: Perturbations: Oblateness, Drag, Radiation and Third Bodies
305.1 The Perturbed Equation of Motion
315.2 Oblateness and the $J_2$ Effect
325.3 Atmospheric Drag and Orbit Lifetime
335.4 Solar Radiation Pressure and Thermal Re-radiation
345.5 Lunisolar Perturbations and Resonance
35Chapter 6: Designing Orbits: Sun-Synchronous, Frozen and Repeat Ground Track
366.1 Ground Track Geometry
376.2 Sun-Synchronous Orbits
386.3 Frozen and Critically Inclined Orbits
396.4 Repeat Ground Track and Revisit Interval
406.5 Constellation Geometry and Coverage
41Chapter 7: Impulsive Manoeuvres and Transfer Selection
427.1 Impulsive Maneuvers and the Rocket Equation
437.2 Hohmann and Bi-Elliptic Transfers
447.3 Combined Plane Changes and Inclination Targeting
457.4 Phasing, Rendezvous Targeting and Delta-v Budgeting
467.5 Continuous Low-Thrust Spirals
47Chapter 8: Relative Motion, Rendezvous and Proximity Operations
488.1 Linearized Relative Motion Equations
498.2 Impulsive Relative Maneuvers and the CW Targeting
508.3 Approach Corridors and Docking Profiles
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