Introduction to Space Dynamics (Dover Books on Aeronautical Engineering)
by William Tyrrell Thomson
List Price:
Our Price: $9.06
You Save: $6.89 (43%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $4.93 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions
Book Summary Information
Author: William Tyrrell ThomsonEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 1986-06-01
ISBN: 0486651134
Number of pages: 352
Publisher: Dover Publications
Book Reviews of Introduction to Space Dynamics (Dover Books on Aeronautical Engineering)
Book Review: small book with huge impact
Summary: 5 Stars
Introduction to Space Dynamics
By William Tyrrell Thomson
When this little book came out, in the early sixties, it created quite an impact. For one thing, it marks the transition from the "old astrodynamics" to the "new". The term "astrodynamics" is attributed to the late Samuel Herrick, and was coined in the forties or early fifties. Prior to sputnik, astrodynamics was heavily centered on determining the orbits of comets and asteroids from optical observations. When artificial satellites became imminent, the emphasis shifted to determining physical constants (e.g., figure of the earth) from satellite tracking data.
"Introduction to Space Dynamics" represents a new departure. First, it places considerable emphasis on launch vehicle (rocket) performance, including some optimization analysis based on the calculus of variations. The older texts tended to completely ignore this topic (possibly because much was classified). Also, except for Lawden's monograph, many of the papers on optimized launch vehicle performance were difficult to obtain - and generally difficult to read. Second, Thomson inserts considerable material on gyroscopic motion, stabilized platforms, and inertial navigation. This represents a transition away from the optical-tracking-orientation of earlier texts. Thomson's book also enjoys the benefit of more modern notation, and uses vector and matrix notation throughout.
A curious included topic -- to which I was first introduced by this very book -- is "jet damping." The jet damping effect tends to dampen-out any angular motion of a rocket during thrusting periods. However, the effect is small to the point of usually being negligible. (Witness the notorious instability of rockets, particularly unguided ones.) Considering how much material Thomson devotes to this very specialized topic, one gets the impression that Thomson himself must have performed considerable research on this, and was determined to pass his knowledge on.
It is almost inevitable to compare this book with Herrick's "Astrodynamics", which came out some ten years after "Introduction to Space Dynamics." While Herrick's book is without question beautifully written and very comprehensive, it is basically backward-looking. Thomson's book, on the other hand, was very progressive for its time. Consequently, Thomson's book was very influential; Harrick's book was something of a curiosity, and almost certainly a disappointment for its author.
Despite the forty-some years since its debut, "Introduction to Space Dynamics" is still valuable, and should be read by everyone seriously interested in astrodynamics.
Summary of Introduction to Space Dynamics (Dover Books on Aeronautical Engineering)
Comprehensive, classic introduction to space-flight engineering for advanced undergraduate and graduate students. Provides basic tools for quantitative analysis of the motions of satellites and other vehicles in space. Includes vector algebra, kinematics, transformation of coordinates, gyrodynamics, generalized theories of mechanics.
Aeronautics & Astronautics Books
Book Subjects
- Arts & Photography
- Biographies & Memoirs
- Business & Investing
- Children's Books
- Comics & Graphic Novels
- Computers & Internet
- Cooking, Food & Wine
- Entertainment
- Gay & Lesbian
- Health, Mind & Body
- History
- Home & Garden
- Horror
- Law
- Literature & Fiction
- Mystery & Thrillers
- Nonfiction
- Outdoors & Nature
- Parenting & Families
- Professional & Technical
- Reference
- Religion & Spirituality
- Romance
- Science
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Sports
- Teens
- Travel
Most talked about in Aeronautics & Astronautics Books
Space and Humanity (International Astronautical Federation Congress/ / (Selected Proceedings))Pergamon Pr; Published: 1989-05; Hardcover; Book
Price in other shops:
The International Heliospheric Studyby M. A. Shea, E. J. Smith, M.A. Shea, E.J. Smith
Pergamon Pr; Published: 1989-06-01; Paperback; Book
Price in other shops:
The Aerodynamic Design of Aircraft: A Detailed Introduction to the Current Aerodynamic Knowledge and Practical Guide to the Solution of Aircraft Design Problemsby Dietrich Kuchemann
Pergamon Press; Published: 1978-06; Paperback; Book
Price in other shops:
Standard Handbook for Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineersby Mark Davies
McGraw-Hill Professional; Published: 2002-10-10; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $129.44
Price in other shops:
Airport Planning and Managementby Alexander T. Wells
McGraw-Hill Professional Publishing; Published: 2000-05-17; Paperback; Book
Best price: $29.00
Price in other shops:
Introduction to Flightby John Anderson
Mcgraw Hill Higher Education; Published: 2011-06-01; Paperback; Book
Ground Studies for Pilots: Navigation Generalby S. E. Taylor
Sheridan House Inc; Published: 1986-06; Paperback; Book
Price in other shops:
October Sky (The Coalwood Series #1)by Homer Hickam
Demco Media; Published: 1999-06; Hardcover; Book
Price in other shops:
Fluid Mechanics (Mcgraw-Hill Series in Mechanical Engineering)by Yunus A. Cengel, John M. Cimbala
McGraw-Hill Science/Engineering/Math; Published: 2004-12-20; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $67.30
Introduction to Flight (McGraw-Hill Series in Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering)by John D. Anderson, John Anderson
McGraw-Hill Science/Engineering/Math; Published: 2004-03-12; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $210.22
Similar Books and other products
Rocket Propulsion Elementsby George P. Sutton, Oscar Biblarz
Wiley; Published: 2010-02-02; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $69.44
Price in other shops:
Fundamentals of Aerodynamics (Mcgraw Hill Series in Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering)by John Anderson
McGraw-Hill Science/Engineering/Math; Published: 2010-02-12; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $165.17
Space Mission Analysis and Design, 3rd edition (Space Technology Library)Microcosm; Published: 1999-10; Paperback; Book
Best price: $47.36
Price in other shops:
Orbital Mechanics for Engineering Students, Second Edition (Aerospace Engineering)by Howard Curtis
Butterworth-Heinemann; Published: 2009-11-09; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $65.86
Price in other shops:
Theory of Satellite Geodesy: Applications of Satellites to Geodesy (Dover Earth Science)by William M. Kaula
Dover Publications; Published: 2000-11-27; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.14
Price in other shops:
Introduction to Flightby John Anderson
McGraw-Hill Science/Engineering/Math; Published: 2011-03-07; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $140.00
Analysis and Design of Flight Vehicle Structuresby E. F. Bruhn
Jacobs Pub; Published: 1973-06; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $125.00
Spacecraft Attitude Dynamics (Dover Books on Aeronautical Engineering)by Peter C. Hughes
Dover Publications; Published: 2004-12-17; Paperback; Book
Best price: $18.70
Price in other shops:
An Introduction to Celestial Mechanics (Dover Books on Astronomy)by Forest Ray Moulton, Space
Dover Publications; Published: 1984-06-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $10.76
Price in other shops:
Fundamentals of Astrodynamics (Dover Books on Aeronautical Engineering)by Roger R. Bate, Donald D. Mueller, Jerry E. White
Dover Publications; Published: 1971-06-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.75
Price in other shops: