The analysis and computational techniques associated with the navigation and guidance of spacecraft are now in a mature state of development. However the documentation has remained dispersed throughout conference papers, journals, company and contract rep orts, making it difficult to get a true, comprehensive picture of the subject. This text brings together the body of literature with suitable attention to the necessary underlying mathematics and computational techniques. It covers in detail the necessary orbital mechanics, orbit determination with emphasis on the SRIF algorithm, gr avity assist manoeuvres and guidance, both ground-based and autonomous. Attention is paid to all phases of a space mission including launch and re-entry, and whether culminating in an earth satellite or a deep space mission to planets or primitive bodies. Software associated with the text is available free to the reader by means of the Internet server of the publisher. 'Spacecraft Navigation and Guidance' is an invaluable aid for all those working within astronautics, aeronautics, and control engineering in general.

This is the first time the whole mature body of literature on the subject has been consolidated as one text * Deals with computational techniques - an area not dealt with comprehensively in previous literature * Has a systematic and accessible layout, making it invaluable to all those with an interest in this area

Inhalt

1. Orbital Mechanics.- 1.1 Introduction.- 1.2 The Two-Body Problem.- 1.3 Orbital Elements and Reference Axes.- 1.4 Time in Orbit.- 1.5 Lambert's Time of Flight Theorem.- 1.6 Orbital Manoeuvres.- 1.7 Patched Conies.- 1.8 Numerical Integration of Orbits.- 1.9 Software.- 2. The Launch Phase.- 2.1 Introduction.- 2.2 Propulsion.- 2.3 Launch Systems.- 2.4 Trajectory Dynamics.- 2.5 Computation of the Nominal Ascent Trajectory.- 2.6 A Computed Example: Ariane 4.- 2.7 Optimization of the Ascent.- 2.8 In-flight Guidance.- 2.9 The Guidance and Navigation System.- 2.10 Software.- 3. Earth Satellites: Perturbations and Manoeuvres.- 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 Variation of the Orbital Elements.- 3.3 Gravitational Field of the Earth.- 3.4 Perturbations from the Sun and the Moon.- 3.5 Effect of Atmospheric Drag.- 3.6 Illustrative Computations of Perturbations.- 3.7 Correcting Low Earth Orbits.- 3.8 Geostationary Orbits.- 3.10 Software.- 4. Orbit Determination.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 First Estimates of Orbits.- 4.3 Refinement of Orbits.- 4.4 Sequential Estimation.- 4.5 Software.- 5. Midcourse and Gravity Assist Manoeuvres.- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 Midcourse Manoeuvres.- 5.3 Gravity Assist Manoeuvres.- 5.4 Software.- 6. Low Thrust Missions.- 6.1 Introduction.- 6.2 Electric Propulsion.- 6.3 Optimization of Low Thrust Trajectories.- 6.4 Guidance on Low Thrust Trajectories.- 6.5 Software.- 7. Atmospheric Entry.- 7.1 Introduction.- 7.2 Flight Equations.- 7.3 Entry Corridors.- 7.4 Ballistic Entry with No Lift.- 7.5 Guided Entry using Lift.- 7.6 Software.- A. Appendices.- A.1 Perturbations from the Sun and Moon in Geostationary Orbit.- A.2 Perturbations due to Solar Pressure in Geostationary Orbit.- A.3 Angular Information from Doppler Tracking.- A.4 Ephemeris of the Sun.- A.5 Sequential UDCovariance Filter.- A.6 Global Positioning System.