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Books in Astronautics

  • Orbital Mechanics for Engineering Students

    • 5th Edition
    • September 1, 2026
    • Howard D. Curtis
    • 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 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.
  • Advanced Space Propulsion

    Technologies, Missions, and Computer Modeling
    • 1st Edition
    • August 1, 2026
    • Michael Paluszek + 5 more
    • English
    Advanced Space Propulsion: Technologies, Missions, and Computer Modeling includes coverage of all these topics in an integrated manner. The volume, written by a team of sector-specific R&D experts, touches upon fundamentals cardinal to the understanding of [i] Orbit theory and its implications for control, estimation, and optimization of trajectory and attitude, and [ii] How each mission is designed (depending primarily on the mass of the payload, but also on how far from Earth the launch vehicle needs to go), and then succeeds in consolidating them with software and computer applications for simulations and modeling. The book continues with a discussion on the complete gamut of in-space propulsion power sources and concludes with both human and robotic mission-related case studies and future implementation examples. The outcome is a carefully calibrated and self-contained resource that will prove to be invaluable for graduate and senior undergraduate students, researchers, scientists, and engineering professionals alike.
  • Photonic Laser Propulsion

    • 1st Edition
    • March 11, 2025
    • Young K. Bae
    • English
    Photonic Laser Propulsion offers a thrilling glimpse into the future of rapid mass space transportation by surveying one of the most significant breakthrough technologies to overcome the limitations of current propulsion systems based on conventional rocketry.Written by the pioneer of photonic laser propulsion (PLP), this book strives to establish a strong foundational understanding while exploring advanced theoretical concepts. Readers are guided through quantum mechanics, optical resonators, and radiation pressure that underpin this revolutionary thrust mechanism, to then be offered past experimental milestones and cutting-edge demonstrations that trace its evolution and validate its feasibility. A presentation of current application examples as well as long-term development pathways for interplanetary commutes and interstellar probes conclude the excursus, fostering curiosity and charting a course for further research exploration in this dynamic realm.Researchers both in academia and industry and a host of other technical audiences at all levels will think of this volume, which consolidates a growing body of knowledge surrounding PLP, as a key resource for their study or work to enable innovative space endeavors, including human civilization’s expansion within our solar system or interstellar exploration.
  • Aerospace Materials

    Novel Technologies and Practical Applications
    • 1st Edition
    • November 30, 2024
    • Mohamed Thariq Hameed Sultan + 5 more
    • English
    In the continuous pursuit of optimizing performance, development of advanced materials with highly specific properties has consistently been a critical component of aerospace engineering’s research. Aerospace Materials: Novel Technologies and Practical Applications puts strong emphasis on updating existing knowledge of a wide range of functional and structural materials and contextualizing it for industrial practice.The volume not only comprehensively covers different classes of materials, while providing an overview of each material’s mechanical and physical properties, as well as processing and testing, but also offers state-of-the-art guidance on their commercial use in the sector. Furthermore, it looks ahead to clarify what’s still needed to adapt traditional and novel materials to ever-changing aerospace technologies and related pressing sustainability challenges.The breadth of technical expertise that this international group of researchers provides proves to be an invaluable asset for users in academia and established professionals alike.
  • Hybrid Rocket Propulsion Design Handbook

    • 1st Edition
    • October 7, 2023
    • Ashley Chandler Karp + 1 more
    • English
    Hybrid Rocket Propulsion Design Handbook provides system scaling laws, design methodologies, and a summary of available test data, giving engineers all the tools they need to develop realistic hybrid system designs.Important supporting theory from chemistry, thermodynamics, and rocket propulsion is addressed, helping readers from a variety of backgrounds to understand this interdisciplinary subject. This book also suggests guidelines for standardized reporting of test data, in response to difficulties researchers have in working with results from different research institutes.
  • Electrostatic Dust Mitigation and Manipulation Techniques for Planetary Dust

    • 1st Edition
    • August 18, 2022
    • Nima Gharib + 2 more
    • English
    Electrostatic Dust Mitigation and Manipulation Techniques for Planetary Dust explains how to control and remove dust in space due to the presence of a vacuum, abrasiveness of dust particles and electrostatic charge on particles. The book introduces innovative technologies that use electrostatic and di-electrophoretic forces to remove and transport small particles away from surfaces. In addition, it discusses how to resolve thermal control problems and reduce lung inhalation and eye irritation problems. The book includes two abrasive wear test devices that were designed to study the rate of volume wear for different materials when subjected to lunar dust simulant of different size ranges. This will be an ideal resource for space system engineers, space exploration researchers, and advanced students and professionals in space engineering.
  • Modern Flexible Multi-Body Dynamics Modeling Methodology for Flapping Wing Vehicles

    • 1st Edition
    • September 15, 2017
    • Cornelia Altenbuchner + 1 more
    • English
    Modern Flexible Multi-Body Dynamics Modeling Methodology for Flapping Wing Vehicles presents research on the implementation of a flexible multi-body dynamic representation of a flapping wing ornithopter that considers aero-elasticity. This effort brings advances in the understanding of flapping wing flight physics and dynamics that ultimately leads to an improvement in the performance of such flight vehicles, thus reaching their high performance potential. In using this model, it is necessary to reduce body accelerations and forces of an ornithopter vehicle, as well as to improve the aerodynamic performance and enhance flight kinematics and forces which are the design optimization objectives. This book is a useful reference for postgraduates in mechanical engineering and related areas, as well as researchers in the field of multibody dynamics.
  • Automatic Control in Aerospace 1994 (Aerospace Control '94)

    • 1st Edition
    • May 23, 2014
    • D. Schaechter + 1 more
    • English
    An important, successful area for control systems development is that of state-of-the-art aeronautical and space related technologies. Leading researchers and practitioners within this field have been given the opportunity to exchange ideas and discuss results at the IFAC symposia on automatic control in aerospace. The key research papers presented at the latest in the series have been put together in this publication to provide a detailed assessment of present and future developments of these control system technologies.
  • Astronautics Year

    An International Astronautical and Military Space/Missile Review of 1964
    • 1st Edition
    • May 12, 2014
    • David Howard
    • English
    Astronautics Year: An International Astronautical and Military Space/Missile Review of 1964 documents in detail the international astronautical and military space/missile activities conducted in 1964. This book focuses on two major space achievements—RANGER 7 and VOSKHOD I. RANGER 7 was a spectacular achievement demonstrated by Jet Propulsion Laboratory, while VOSKHOD I was claimed as the biggest rocket in existence that was launched while carrying two retro-rocket systems. This compilation also provides brief notes on a number of space/missile projects and programs underway during 1964, such as the AADS-70, ADOBE, AIM-47A, and APOLLO. A table containing a fully comprehensive listing of all announced spacecraft launch attempts made during the same year are likewise described. This text is recommended for researchers and specialists concerned with aeronautics and aerospace research.
  • Gas Turbine Aero-Thermodynamics

    With Special Reference to Aircraft Propulsion
    • 1st Edition
    • October 22, 2013
    • F. Whittle
    • English
    For the first time simplified methods of dealing with gas turbine thermal cycles, and further theoretical innovations, have been embodied into a concise textbook. All the major aspects of the subject are covered in a comprehensive and lucid manner. Examples are included for greater clarity