The technology of the next few decades could possibly allow us to explore with robotic probes the closest stars outside our Solar System, and maybe even observe some of the recently discovered planets circling these stars. This book looks at the reasons for exploring our stellar neighbors and at the technologies we are developing to build space probes that can traverse the enormous distances between the stars. In order to reach the nearest stars, we must first develop a propulsion technology that would take our robotic probes there in a reasonable time. Such propulsion technology has radically different requirements from conventional chemical rockets, because of the enormous distances that must be crossed. Surprisingly, many propulsion schemes for interstellar travel have been suggested and await only practical engineering solutions and the political will to make them a reality. This is a result of the tremendous advances in astrophysics that have been made in recent decades and the perseverance and imagination of tenacious theoretical physicists. This book explores these different propulsion schemes – all based on current physics – and the challenges they present to physicists, engineers, and space exploration entrepreneurs. This book will be helpful to anyone who really wants to understand the principles behind and likely future course of interstellar travel and who wants to recognizes the distinctions between pure fantasy (such as Star Trek’s ‘warp drive’) and methods that are grounded in real physics and offer practical technological solutions for exploring the stars in the decades to come Space Vehicle Dynamics and Control provides a solid foundation in dynamic modeling, analysis, and control of space vehicles. More than 200 figures, photographs, and tables are featured in detailed sections covering the fundamentals of controlling orbital, attitude, and structural motions of space vehicles. The textbook highlights a range of orbital maneuvering and control problems: orbital transfer, rendezvous, and halo orbit determination and control. Rotational maneuvering and attitude control problems of space vehicles under the influence of reaction jet firings, internal energy dissipation, or momentum transfer via reaction wheels and control moment gyros are treated in detail. The textbook also highlights the analysis and design of attitude control systems in the presence of structural flexibility and/or propellant sloshing. At the end of each chapter, Dr. Wie includes a helpful list of references for graduate students and working professionals studying spacecraft dynamics and control. A bibliography of more than 350 additional references in the field of spacecraft guidance, control, and dynamics is also provided at the end of the book. Space vehicle dynamics and control requires a thorough knowledge of vector and matrix algebra, calculus, ordinary differential equations, engineering mechanics, and linear system dynamics and control. The first two chapters provide a summary of such necessary background material. Since some problems may require the use of software for the analysis, control design, and numerical simulation, readers should have access to computational software (i.e., MATLAB) on a personal computer. Read more... Dynamic systems modeling and analysis -- Dynamic systems control -- Orbital dynamics -- Orbital maneuvers and control -- Rotational kinematics -- Rigid-body dynamics -- Rotational maneuvers and attitude control -- Structural dynamics -- Attitude and structural control -- Robust optimal maneuvers
