Orbital mechanics is a cornerstone subject for aerospace engineering students. However, with its basis in classical physics and mechanics, it can be a difficult and weighty subject. Howard Curtis - Professor of Aerospace Engineering at Embry-Riddle University, the US's #1 rated undergraduate aerospace school - focuses on what students at undergraduate and taught masters level really need to know in this hugely valuable text. Fully supported by the analytical features and computer based tools required by today's students, it brings a fresh, modern, accessible approach to teaching and learning orbital mechanics. A truly essential new resource. - 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; with fully worked examples throughout, Q&A material, and extensive homework exercises.

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.

Introduction; Dynamics of Point Masses; The Two Body Problem; Orbital Position as a Function of Time; Orbits in Three Dimensions; Preliminary Orbit Determination; Orbital Maneuvers; Relative Motion and Rendezvous; Interplanetary Trajectories; Rigid Body Dynamics; Satellite Attitude Dynamics; Rocket Vehicle Dynamics; Physical Data; Numerical Integration of the N-Body Equations of Motion; MATLAB Algorithms; Gravitational Potential Energy of a Sphere; Solutions Manual