Spaceflight Mechanics and Control
- 1st Edition - May 1, 2026
- Latest edition
- Authors: Houman Hakima, Michael C.F. Bazzocchi
- Language: English
Spaceflight Mechanics and Control introduces readers to both classical theories and cutting-edge techniques used to simulate orbital and attitude motion. The theories discus… Read more
Spaceflight Mechanics and Control introduces readers to both classical theories and cutting-edge techniques used to simulate orbital and attitude motion. The theories discussed are connected to real world applications such as space debris removal, asteroid deflection and redirection, spacecraft solar sailing, and control of spacecraft manipulator systems. The book covers orbital trajectory specification and design and orbital maneuvers, including both impulsive and low thrust approaches and spacecraft formation flying. This valuable resource also includes access to a companion website hosting Python scripts, STK simulations, and more.
- Introduces readers to the theories, techniques, and applications used to design successful space missions
- Discusses theories related to spacecraft orbital motion and how these theories are practically applied
- Outlines multiple key attitude stabilization techniques such as spin stabilized, dual spin stabilized, and B dot detumbling control
- Includes access to a companion website featuring Python scripts, STK simulations, and more
Undergraduate and graduate students in the mechanical and aerospace engineering disciplines, scientists, researchers in the field of astronautics, and aerospace engineersinstructors teaching third- and fourth-year, core aerospace engineering courses
Part 1: Introductory Concepts
1. Spaceflight Preliminaries
2. Mathematical Preliminaries
3. The Systems Tool Kit Application
Part 2: Orbital Mechanics
4. Spacecraft Orbital Motion: Point Mass, Unperturbed Model
5. Orbit Types, Classifications, and Applications
6. Spacecraft Orbital Motion: Perturbed Model
7. Low Thrust Orbital Maneuvers
8. Motion of Three Bodies Mutually Attracted by Gravity: A Simplified Model
9. Interplanetary Travels
10. Spacecraft Formation Flying and Constellations
11. Orbit Determination
Part 3: Attitude Kinematics and Dynamics
12. Spacecraft Attitude Motion
13. Disturbance Torques Acting on Spacecraft
14. Passive Spacecraft Attitude Control
15. Spacecraft Attitude Estimation
16. Active Spacecraft Attitude Control
Part 4: Space Debris, Asteroids, Spacecraft Solar Sailing, and Space Robotics
17. Space Debris
18. Asteroid Manipulation
19. Spacecraft Solar Sailing
20. Robotic Manipulation in Space
1. Spaceflight Preliminaries
2. Mathematical Preliminaries
3. The Systems Tool Kit Application
Part 2: Orbital Mechanics
4. Spacecraft Orbital Motion: Point Mass, Unperturbed Model
5. Orbit Types, Classifications, and Applications
6. Spacecraft Orbital Motion: Perturbed Model
7. Low Thrust Orbital Maneuvers
8. Motion of Three Bodies Mutually Attracted by Gravity: A Simplified Model
9. Interplanetary Travels
10. Spacecraft Formation Flying and Constellations
11. Orbit Determination
Part 3: Attitude Kinematics and Dynamics
12. Spacecraft Attitude Motion
13. Disturbance Torques Acting on Spacecraft
14. Passive Spacecraft Attitude Control
15. Spacecraft Attitude Estimation
16. Active Spacecraft Attitude Control
Part 4: Space Debris, Asteroids, Spacecraft Solar Sailing, and Space Robotics
17. Space Debris
18. Asteroid Manipulation
19. Spacecraft Solar Sailing
20. Robotic Manipulation in Space
- Edition: 1
- Latest edition
- Published: May 1, 2026
- Language: English
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Houman Hakima
Dr. Houman Hakima is the Technical Team Lead at Space Strategies Consulting Ltd. In Ottawa, Canada. He received his Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Toronto, and his current research interests include space-systems engineering, novel small-satellite mission concepts, orbital mechanics, trajectory design and control, attitude dynamics, estimation, and space. In 2020, he obtained Grand Master Certification from Analytical Graphical Inc.'s Systems Tool Kit (STK).
Affiliations and expertise
Technical Team Lead, Space Strategies Consulting Ltd., Ottawa, CanadaMB
Michael C.F. Bazzocchi
Dr. Michael C.F. Bazzocchi is an Assistant Professor at Clarkson University and Director of the Astronautics and Robotics Laboratory (ASTRO Lab). Previously, Dr. Bazzocchi held positions at the University of Toronto (Canada) in Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, the Institute for Robotics and Mechatronics, the Toronto Institute of Advanced Manufacturing, and the Institute for Aerospace Studies. He was a researcher in Onboard Space Systems at Luleå University of Technology (Sweden). Dr. Bazzocchi also worked for the RHEA Group as a spacecraft concurrent design engineer on the Canadian Space Agency satCODE (satellite concurrent design) project.
Dr. Bazzocchi’s research interests can be broadly categorized into the fields of astronautics and robotics.
Affiliations and expertise
Assistant Professor, Clarkson University; Director of the Astronautics and Robotics Laboratory, ASTRO Lab, USA