Re: Astrodynamics Books

Jim Varney (jamesv@softcom.net)
Wed, 29 Apr 1998 21:38:33 -0700

Brian Mancuso <brianm@itg.net> wrote:

> I recently became interested in satellites and astrodynamics
> after learning about GPS. Could anybody recommend a good
> introductory book on orbital mechanics?

I recommend Bate, Mueller and White's "Fundamentals of Astrodynamics."  
It's a bit dated but for a basic text it's very good.  Best of all it's a 
Dover paperback and it's cheap (under $10).  If you don't like the book 
then you haven't lost much.  ISBN 0-486-60061-0.

To understand the book it helps to brush up on vector math.

> I've heard of something called the SPG4 algorithm. My impression
> is that SPG4 is more accurate then other methods. Is this true?

SGP4 is the most accurate commonly available algorithm.

> Do introductory texts discuss this algorithm, or would I have to
> go to other sources for that? Is that algorithm difficult to 
> implement if you don't have a doctorate in astrodynamics?

Texts don't discuss SGP4 as far as I know, but then I'm not an expert.  
Since the SGP4 source code is publicly available at celestrak.com you don't 
need a PhD.  The code in the Spacetrack document can be confusing because 
you have to understand how the various Fortran 'drivers' interact with the 
SGP4 engine.  Have fun with your project!



______________________________________________
Jim Varney
Member, Sacramento Valley Astronomical Society
www.calweb.com/~svas/index.html