Introduction to Space Flight

Introduction to Space Flight

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Editorial Reviews

For introductory course in space flight dynamics. A self-contained, integrated introduction to the performance aspects of flight -- how to get into space, how to get around in space, and how to return to Earth or land on another planet (as opposed to specialized areas of life support, guidance and control, or communications).

Customer Reviews

Simple, yet Superbe

Reviewed by Ryan Lee, 2009-09-04

I really like this book. It is very clear, and concise with excellent examples. However, there are a few errors particularly in the tables. The errors are obvious so it does not detract from the book, just check the values with your own. Overall I'd recommend it.

Good Introduction To Orbital Mechanics

Reviewed by Robert I. Hedges, 2004-11-03

In the preface to this book, Francis Hale explains that this text was written for a long-running one semester course in space flight at North Carolina State University. He also mentioned that the class was open to all students from all backgrounds and though calculus was not required for the course, it would help. I'll say so. I had quite a bit of calculus in college (although that was several years ago), and while I could generally follow the discussions in this text, some of the mathematical assumptions and thought processes were at times difficult for me to work through.

The point to be made about this book is that while it is ostensibly an introduction to space flight, do not be fooled into thinking that it is casual reading: it is very rewarding reading, but is not easy. The text is very lucid, well thought out, and thorough; while the mathematical reasoning is generally logical, some assumptions are made that are not always evident to non engineers.

Most people reading this book will be engineers with a recent college math background, and it is a perfect book for that audience. I enjoyed reading the book as well, but had to take my time with the mathematical reasoning fairly routinely. I give the book four stars because while perfect for collegiate engineering students, it really is a bit in depth for a more casual reader with a less rigorous mathematical background. For narrative excellence, though, the text can't be beat. Recommended to any interested engineers or to any interested party with exposure to (at a minimum) calculus of a single variable, although this book is not particularly suitable for armchair space enthusiasts.

Lives up to its title as a perfect intro to space flight

Reviewed by Bryan Erickson, 2002-09-16

Apparently intended for seniors in aero/astro or aerospace engineering, this book makes a perfect sequel to the typical sophomore/junior course in classical mechanics and a perfect intermediate entry before a proper course in astrodynamics. For instance, three body problems are treated in two dimensions rather than three. The explanations are all straightforward and succinct, and effectively clarify the mathematical derivations. The derivations themselves are just the sort that mathemeticians hate but physics types love, in that they are direct and to the point. The author has some annoying idiosyncracies, perhaps from the traditions of aero/astro types, like defining energy divided by mass as "energy" and using it that way throughout. But overall, this is a brisk and exhilarating tour through a fascinating application of classical physics.

An excellent introduction to orbital mechanics.

Reviewed by Anonymous, 1999-03-24

This book is an excellent introduction to both orbital mechanics and propulsion performance estimation as it applies to mission planning. While many of the topics are deeply rooted in hard core mathematics, Hale cuts to the chase and presents useful information up front without forcing the reader to wade through countless proofs. As a result, this book is useful for everyone from a high school student interested in the topic to a professional working in the field. Is it the definative work on the topic? I don't believe so. But I do believe that if you only own one book on the topic, you can't go wrong with this one.