Theory of Orbit Determination

Presents new algorithms for determining orbits; ideal for graduate students and researchers in applied mathematics, physics, astronomy and aerospace engineering.

Andrea Milani (Author), Giovanni Gronchi (Author)

9780521873895, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 12 November 2009

392 pages, 2 b/w illus.
25.3 x 17.8 x 2.2 cm, 0.91 kg

"This book is written clearly and is almost self-contained." -Alessandra Celletti, Mathematical Reviews

Determining orbits for natural and artificial celestial bodies is an essential step in the exploration and understanding of the Solar System. However, recent progress in the quality and quantity of data from astronomical observations and spacecraft tracking has generated orbit determination problems which cannot be handled by classical algorithms. This book presents new algorithms capable of handling the millions of bodies which could be observed by next generation surveys, and which can fully exploit tracking data with state-of-the-art levels of accuracy. After a general mathematical background and summary of classical algorithms, the new algorithms are introduced using the latest mathematical tools and results, to which the authors have personally contributed. Case studies based on actual astronomical surveys and space missions are provided, with applications of these new methods. Intended for graduate students and researchers in applied mathematics, physics, astronomy and aerospace engineering, this book is also of interest to non-professional astronomers.

Preface
Part I. Problem Statement and Requirements: 1. The problem of orbit determination
2. Dynamical systems
3. Error models
4. The N-body problem
Part II. Basic Theory: 5. Least squares
6. Rank deficiency
Part III. Population Orbit Determination: 7. The identification problem
8. Linkage
9. Methods by Laplace and Gauss
10. Weakly determined orbits
11. Surveys
12. Impact monitoring
Part IV. Collaborative Orbit Determination: 13. The gravity of a planet
14. Non-gravitational perturbations
15. Multi arc strategy
16. Satellite gravimetry
17. Orbiters around other planets
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Aerospace & aviation technology [TRP], Engineering: general [TBC], Astrophysics [PHVB], Solar system: the Sun & planets [PGS], Differential calculus & equations [PBKJ]