Orbital Mechanics for Engineering Students
- 5th Edition - May 11, 2026
- Latest edition
- Author: Howard D. Curtis
- Language: English
Orbital Mechanics for Engineering Students, Fifth Edition, is a key text for students of aerospace engineering. While this latest edition has been updated with new content and en… Read more
Orbital Mechanics for Engineering Students, Fifth Edition, is a key text for students of aerospace engineering. While this latest edition has been updated with new content and end-of-chapter problems, it retains its teach-by-example approach that emphasizes analytical procedures, computer-implemented algorithms, and the most comprehensive support package available, including fully worked solutions, PPT lecture slides, and animations of selected topics. Highly illustrated and fully supported with downloadable MATLAB algorithms for project and practical work, this book provides all the tools needed to fully understand the subject.
- A complete, stand-alone text for this core aerospace engineering subject
- Richly detailed, up-to-date curriculum coverage; clearly and logically developed to meet the needs of students
- Highly illustrated and fully supported with downloadable MATLAB algorithms for project and practical work, Q&A material, extensive homework exercises, and fully worked examples throughout
Undergraduate students in aerospace, astronautical, mechanical engineering, and engineering physics
1. Dynamics of Point Masses
2. The Two-Body Problem
3. Orbital Position as a Function of Time
4. Orbits in Three Dimensions
5. Preliminary Orbit Determination
6. Orbital Maneuvers
7. Relative Motion and Rendezvous
8. Interplanetary Trajectories
9. Lunar Trajectories
10. Introduction to Orbital Perturbations
11. Rigid Body Dynamics
12. Spacecraft Attitude Dynamics
13. Rocket Vehicle Dynamics Appendices
Appendix
A. Physical Data
B. A Road Map
C. Numerical Integration of the N-Body Equations of Motion
D. MATLAB Scripts
E. Gravitational Potential of a Sphere
F. Computing the Difference Between Nearly Equal Numbers
G. Direction Cosine Matrix in Terms of the Unit Quaternion
2. The Two-Body Problem
3. Orbital Position as a Function of Time
4. Orbits in Three Dimensions
5. Preliminary Orbit Determination
6. Orbital Maneuvers
7. Relative Motion and Rendezvous
8. Interplanetary Trajectories
9. Lunar Trajectories
10. Introduction to Orbital Perturbations
11. Rigid Body Dynamics
12. Spacecraft Attitude Dynamics
13. Rocket Vehicle Dynamics Appendices
Appendix
A. Physical Data
B. A Road Map
C. Numerical Integration of the N-Body Equations of Motion
D. MATLAB Scripts
E. Gravitational Potential of a Sphere
F. Computing the Difference Between Nearly Equal Numbers
G. Direction Cosine Matrix in Terms of the Unit Quaternion
- Edition: 5
- Latest edition
- Published: May 11, 2026
- Language: English
HC
Howard D. Curtis
Professor Curtis is former professor and department chair of Aerospace Engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He is a licensed professional engineer and is the author of two textbooks (Orbital Mechanics 3e, Elsevier 2013, and Fundamentals of Aircraft Structural Analysis, McGraw Hill 1997). His research specialties include continuum mechanics, structures, dynamics, and orbital mechanics.
Affiliations and expertise
Professor Emeritus, Aerospace Engineering, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida, USA