As I’ve mentioned in previous entries, the first phase of the Apollo Simulation Project involves research and modeling. Research of the spacecraft and modeling the launch, orbit, and re-entry of said spacecraft. The latter part requires quite the extensive amount of mathematics, involving many advanced topics on the broader topic of astrodynamics:
Astrodynamics
the branch of astronomy that studies the motion of natural and artificial bodies in space
So where do you get resources on such a subject? The answer is the AIAA. The AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics) is the world’s largest technical organization dedicated to the study and discussion of all things air and space. They have published a number of books, all of which are multi-hundred page wonders on different topics of aeronautics and astronautics. They include everything from The Airplane to Nonlinear Composite Beam Theory.
It is a jackpot of books that I cannot wait to save up for and purchase. Here are the ones on my list (descriptions courtesy of AIAA):
- Advanced Dynamics: explains the fundamental laws of motion, but goes a step beyond by covering new topics such as gyroscopic effects, missile trajectories, interplanetary missions, multistage rockets, and use of numerical methods.
- An Introduction to the Mathematics and Methods of Astrodynamics: covers the fundamental theoretical developments in astrodynamics and space navigation that led to man’s ventures into space: celestial mechanics, spacecraft trajectories, and space navigation, as well as the history of the underlying mathematical developments.
- Journey to the Moon: The History of the Apollo Guidance Computer: the first of its kind, Journey to the Moon details the history and design of the computer that enabled U.S. astronauts to land on the moon.
- Modeling and Simulation of Aerospace Vehicle Dynamics: unifies all aspects of flight dynamics for the efficient development of aerospace vehicle simulations, providing the reader with a complete set of tools to build, program, and execute simulations.
- Re-Entry Aerodynamics: addresses the kinetic theory of gases, the prediction of vehicle trajectories during re-entry, the fundamentals of hypersonic aerodynamics as they are used in estimating the aerodynamic characteristics of re-entry configurations, re-entry heat transfer for both lifting and ballistic configurations, thermal protection systems, and the application of high-temperature materials in design.
- Space Modeling and Simulation: puts modeling and simulation squarely within the overarching context of systems theory and systems engineering where the subject rightly belongs.
- Spacecraft Mission Design: takes the shortest route to practical understanding of mission design focusing on the most general and most practical tools needed for the early spacecraft design studies, including the principles of two-body motion, definition of orbits, orbital maneuvers, and central body observation.
I’m pumped.