This book entitled “Random Vibration in Spacecraft Structures Design: Theory and Applications” is based on the lecture notes “Spacecraft structures” and “Special topics about vibration in spacecraft structures”. The author is lecturer to the graduate students at the Delft University of Technology, faculty of...

This important new book explains the fundamentals of electric propulsion for spacecraft and describes in detail the physics and characteristics of the two major electric thrusters in use today, ion and Hall thrusters. The authors provide an introduction to plasma physics in order to allow readers to understand the models and derivations used...

In this second edition of Future Spacecraft Propulsion Systems, the authors demonstrate the need to break free from the old established concepts of expendable rockets, using chemical propulsion, and to develop new breeds of launch vehicle capable of both launching payloads into orbit at a dramatically reduced cost and for sustained operations in...

The Moon is very far from Earth. Yet, scientists have been able to get satellites, shuttles, and other spacecraft into space and a few manned spacecraft to land on the Moon. "How Does a Spacecraft Reach the Moon?" reveals the science behind propulsion and the energy it takes to get large craft into space. Colorful photographs and...

The development of satellites is always driven by their applications, so the payload and its satellite infrastructure can fulfill all envisioned tasks and sometimes this is under great autonomy. The brain of the satellite is the Onboard Computer with the Onboard Software providing functions, procedures and services in preparation for the...

The book will open with a concise introductory chapter, chronicling the ‘space age’ up to the present, and a brief...

This book provides an in-depth discussion of autonomous and autonomic systems, their interdependencies, differences and similarities. Current and pending issues in these evermore increasingly important subjects are highlighted and discussed. Concepts, ideas and experiences are explored in relation to real-life NASA systems in spacecraft...

The technological marvel that facilitated the Apollo missions to the Moon was the on-board computer. In the 1960s most computers filled an entire room, but the spacecraft’s computer was required to be compact and low power. Although people today find it difficult to accept that it was possible to control a spacecraft using such a...