A list of useful resources in the web for mission analysts.
Useful Web Sites:
- Orbital and Celestial Mechanics Web Site
- AAS
- AIAA
- IAF
- ESA Earth Observation Programme Software Server
Definitions and historic figures:
From Wikipedia:
- Celestial mechanics is a division of astronomy dealing with the motions and gravitational effects of celestial objects. The field applies principles of physics, historically Newtonian mechanics, to astronomical objects such as stars and planets. It is distinguished from astrodynamics, which is the study of the creation of artificial satellite orbits.
- Astrodynamics is the study of the motion of rockets, missiles, and space vehicles, as determined from Sir Isaac Newton's laws of motion and his law of universal gravitation. It is a specific and distinct branch of celestial mechanics, which focuses more broadly on Newtonian gravitation and includes the orbital motions of artificial and natural astronomical bodies such as planets, moons, and comets. Astrodynamics is principally concerned with spacecraft trajectories, from launch to atmospheric re-entry, including all orbital maneuvers, orbit plane changes, and interplanetary transfers.
- Astronautics is the branch of engineering that deals with machines designed to work outside of Earth's atmosphere, whether manned or unmanned. In other words, it is the science and technology of space flight.
- Konstantin Eduardovich Tsiolkovsky
- Robert Goddard
- Wernher Magnus Maximilian Freiherr von Braun
