Satellites : orbits and missions

In all, the European Space Agency (ESA) has developed 60 spacecrafts over the last few decades. Some of these, such as the ERS satellites and Envisat, are dedicated to monitoring the Earthand providing vital data on the health status of our planet. Other spacecraft have helped to improve the accuracy of weather forecasting. Galileo, the joint ESA/EU satellite navigation p- gramme, demonstrates the political dimension of space as service-provider for the bene?t of European citizens. While these missions involve utilitarian space activities, others are devoted to either exploring the solar system, - cluding the Sun, or achieving a better understanding of the Universe and the cosmic beginnings. Theorbitsofthesesatellitescoverawiderange(Sun-synchronous,geos- tionary, highly eccentric, at Lagrange points, etc.) so that a complete novice may be astonished when tackling the space technology ?eld. The main credit of Michel Capderou’s book is to take the reader (whether it be a student, an engineer or a research scientist) progressively from the basic Kepler laws to the most complex equations of space mechanics. His educational concern has led him to propose many examples and graphicalillustrations from ESA, but alsofromthe American,Russian,Indian,Japaneseor evenChinese space agencies. These programmes provide scienti?c insights and moreover appear to fascinate the general public, in particular the younger generation. Those wishing to understand the orbital mechanisms behind these programmes will ?nd the explanations they seek in this book. 1. Keplerian Motion -- 2. Satellite In Keplerian Orbit -- 3. Satellite In Perturbed Orbit -- 4. Motion Of Orbit, Earth And Sun -- 5. Orbit And Ground Track Of A Satellite -- 6. Orbit Relative To The Sun : Crossing Times -- 7. Orbit Relative To The Earth : Recurrence And Altitude -- 8. View From The Satellite -- 9. Temporal And Angular Sampling -- 10. Satellites Of Mars -- 11. Satellites Of Other Celestial Bodies. Michel Capderou ; Translated From French By Stephen Lyle ; [foreword By Jean-jacques Dordain]. Accompanying Cd Contains: The Program Ixionpc, The Non-graphing Part Of Ixion To Interactively Study The Orbit Of Any Satellite And Establish Sampling Tables; Cd Also Contains Additional Maps. Includes Bibliographical References: (p. 495-498). Keplerian Motion....Pages 1-40 Satellite in Keplerian Orbit....Pages 41-58 Satellite in Perturbed Orbit....Pages 59-128 Motion of Orbit, Earth and Sun....Pages 129-173 Orbit and Ground Track of a Satellite....Pages 175-263 Orbit Relative to the Sun. Crossing Times....Pages 265-291 Orbit Relative to the Earth. Recurrence and Altitude....Pages 293-349 View from the Satellite....Pages 351-378 Temporal and Angular Sampling....Pages 379-402 Satellites of Mars....Pages 403-451 Satellites of Other Celestial Bodies....Pages 453-494 "The book treats the subject of satellite orbits, showing how the wide range of available orbits can be put to use to satisfy the needs of fields as varied as communications, positioning, remote-sensing, meteorology, and astronomy." "The book will be useful for researchers, university teachers and students working in the satellite area. School teachers, geographers, and engineers using images taken from space, as well as anyone involved in space exploration will find it a precious resource."--Jacket This useful resource deals with satellite orbits, showing how the wide range of available orbits can be used in communications, positioning, remote-sensing, meteorology, and astronomy.