Automated Rendezvous and Docking of Spacecraft (Cambridge Aerospace Series) [Hardcover]

Dr Wigbert Fehse (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 22, 2003 | ISBN-10: 0521824923 | ISBN-13: 978-0521824927

This definitive reference for space engineers provides an overview of the major issues governing approach and mating strategies, and system concepts for rendezvous & docking/berthing (RVD/B). These concerns are addressed and explained in a way that aerospace engineers, students and even newcomers to the field can acquire a basic understanding of RVD/B.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book is described as being the definitive reference for space engineers on all issues related to rendevous and docking of spacecraft, and I would tend to agree. It draws together a wealth of information on the subject, from basic principles through to detailed examples." Aeronautical Journal, Dr. Peter Roberts, Cranfield University

Book Description

The definitive reference for space engineers on all issues related to rendezvous and docking/berthing (RVD/B), Automated Rendezvous and Docking of Spacecraft provides an overview of the major issues governing approach and mating strategies, and system concepts for rendezvous & docking/berthing. These issues are described and explained such that aerospace engineers, students and even newcomers to the field can acquire a basic understanding of RVD/B.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 516 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (December 22, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521824923
• ISBN-13: 978-0521824927
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,935,674 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great as Far As It Goes, July 12, 2006

By 

James H. McDuffie (Huntsville, Alabama United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Automated Rendezvous and Docking of Spacecraft (Cambridge Aerospace Series) (Hardcover)

This volume covers a lot of territory and the depth of coverage varies.

The strong points are:

1. The discussion of open-loop rendezvous maneuvers is excellent in general.

2. The discussion of required accuracies for rendezvous is generally quite good.

3. The book contains a lot of information on current and proposed/developing systems which is useful.

4. Appendix A on motion dynamics is good with the errors caveat below.

5. The entire book forms an excellent framework in which to think about rendezvous.

The weak points are:

1. There are a number of errors in the equations throughout the book.

2. Even when the equations are correct, the author is tepid at best in defining things like signs.

3. The guidance, navigation, and control sections and the GPS sections are broadbrush overviews containing mostly information copied from elsewhere such as handbooks. It is still useful from a systems point of view however.

4. The entire book is oriented towards rendezvous in near circular or circular orbits and the entire presentation rely's on the Clohessy-Wiltshire equations. Nothing wrong with that, but those looking for a discussion of coelliptic rendezvous. or the exact solution of Berreen and Crisp, or rendezvous around another planet or the moon without GPS/relative GPS, are going to be disappointed. There is not even a thought in any of those directions. The book is completed dominated by ISS rendezvous culture.

All in all, not a bad effort. Another edition later with updates and more advanced thinking about non-ISS rendezvous would not be out of place.