Spacecraft Systems Engineering

by Peter Fortescue (Editor), John Stark (Editor)

Following on from the hugely successful previous editions, the third edition of Spacecraft Systems Engineering incorporates the most recent technological advances in spacecraft and satellite engineering. With emphasis on recent developments in space activities, this new edition has been completely revised. Every chapter has been updated and rewritten by an expert engineer in the field, with emphasis on the bus rather than the payload.
Encompassing the fundamentals of spacecraft engineering, the book begins with front-end system-level issues, such as environment, mission analysis and system engineering, and progresses to a detailed examination of subsystem elements which represent the core of spacecraft design - mechanical, electrical, propulsion, thermal, control etc. This quantitative treatment is supplemented by an appreciation of the interactions between the elements, which deeply influence the process of spacecraft systems design.
In particular the revised text includes
* A new chapter on small satellites engineering and applications which has been contributed by two internationally-recognised experts, with insights into small satellite systems engineering.
* Additions to the mission analysis chapter, treating issues of aero-manouevring, constellation design and small body missions.
In summary, this is an outstanding textbook for aerospace engineering and design students, and offers essential reading for spacecraft engineers, designers and research scientists. The comprehensive approach provides an invaluable resource to spacecraft manufacturers and agencies across the world.

Genres: Engineering, Space, Science, Nonfiction, Reference, Textbooks, Stem

424 pages, Paperback

First published February 20, 1991

Reviews

[Bruno Sánchez-Andrade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can´t understand why people don´t like it.

It´s a good book. I am not in the field, but skimming the book every now and then lets you learn concepts quite fast. Somehow, it is also written in a way that I tend to end up thinking about concepts for a few days. Like the use of the different inner geometries to shape the thrust profile. I am not in this field, so I´m sure this might be a 101 concept, but I really enjoyed reading about that, and then thinking the implications and variations...

[Kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for work but for the type of book, it was easy to read and for me super useful and interesting 🙂

[Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first introduction to spacecraft engineering; there is likely a lot of ground to cover here. With the reduced launch costs this might be quite timely. If freight space/mass can be booked openly for space. There is the E. Olistrom CPR or Tragedy of the Commons issue, if this happens excessively. Recommended.

[Marlon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very nice comprehensive book

It has a very wide and detailed coverage. Excellent to get a general perspective on systems engineering, specially as applied to earth orbiting satelites and probes.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I mean, this is impossible to review. It was a textbook for my course, and I learned a lot from studying it. It was also well beyond me in a lot of sections! As a reference and a resource, it was very interesting.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow such a light read for the weekend. really breezed through this