40 Best Books on Space Flight

We have compiled a list of the Best Reference Books on Space Flight, which are used by students of top universities, and colleges. This will help you choose the right book depending on if you are a beginner or an expert. Here is the complete list of Space Flight Books with their authors, publishers, and an unbiased review of them as well as links to the Amazon website to directly purchase them. If permissible, you can also download the free PDF books on Space Flight below.

1. Space Flight Mechanics

 
1."Rocket Propulsion and Spaceflight Dynamics" by Cornelisse J W and Wakker K F
“Rocket Propulsion and Spaceflight Dynamics” Book Review: This book is a valuable resource for students of aerospace engineering as it covers the fundamental principles of space flight mechanics and computational tools that expedite calculations. It includes chapters on vector algebra, kinematics, angular velocity, and space motion, along with the transformation of coordinates and angular velocities. The book also discusses different issues related to satellite motion and space vehicles. Each chapter includes diagrams, charts, and practice problems to enhance the understanding of the concepts.

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2."Fundamentals of Space Systems" by Pisacane V L and Moore R C
“Fundamentals of Space Systems” Book Review: This book serves as a comprehensive guide to the fundamental concepts of dynamic modeling, control and analysis of space vehicles, and the basics of orbital, attitude and structural motions in space. It applies these principles and techniques to spacecraft control problems and covers a range of topics including control problems, orbital transfer, orbit control, and determination. The latest topics in the book include solar sail dynamics, solar sail missions, and solar power satellites. The book also provides a clear explanation of vector algebra, matrix algebra, calculus, and ordinary differential equations. It is an ideal resource for students and professionals in the field of aerospace engineering.

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3."Spaceflight Dynamics" by Wiesel W E
“Spaceflight Dynamics” Book Review: This introductory textbook provides a comprehensive overview of space technology, catering to senior and graduate courses for aerospace engineers, as well as professionals involved in aerospace aspects of space systems. In addition to delving into spacecraft electronics, the book covers fundamental aerospace principles and their application to space programs. Moreover, it explores the results obtained from physics and engineering basics that are vital to the design of space-based systems.

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4."Space Vehicle Dynamics and Control" by Wie B
“Space Vehicle Dynamics and Control” Book Review: The book is aimed at graduate students of aeronautical engineering, providing them with a strong foundation in dynamic modeling, analysis, and control of space vehicles. It delves into the fundamentals of controlling the orbital, attitude, and structural motions of space vehicles, as well as presents advanced spacecraft control problems and their solutions. The book explores various orbital maneuvering and control problems, as well as rotational maneuvering and attitude control problems of space vehicles, considering the influence of reaction jet firings, internal energy dissipation, momentum transfer via reaction wheels, and control moment gyros. Additionally, it covers the analysis and design of attitude control systems while taking into account structural flexibility and propellant sloshing.

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5."Elements of Space Technology for Aerospace Engineers" by Meyers R X
“Elements of Space Technology for Aerospace Engineers” Book Review: This book is aimed at senior and graduate level students of aerospace engineering and professional engineers who seek a comprehensive understanding of the aerospace aspects of space systems. It provides an introduction to space technology, focusing on the fundamental physics and engineering principles essential for designing space-based systems. The book also covers advanced topics and problems marked with asterisks, and corresponds to the engineering subdivisions commonly encountered in the aerospace industry. Furthermore, it includes both U.S. and international technologies.

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6."Relativistic Flight Mechanics And Space Travel" by TINDER
“Relativistic Flight Mechanics And Space Travel” Book Review: This book is intended for undergraduate and graduate students studying aerospace engineering, and it explores the exciting topic of human space travel in the future. The book starts with a review of Einstein’s special theory of relativity, which is important for understanding relativistic flight mechanics and space travel. The book covers the dynamics and kinematics of relativistic space flight and focuses on topics such as photon rocketry and space travel. The book includes a flight plan and several graphical calculations, as well as a glossary and simple end-of-chapter problems with answers to aid in the learning process.

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7."Celestial Mechanics and Space Flight Analysis" by NASA
“Celestial Mechanics and Space Flight Analysis” Book Review: This textbook is intended for senior graduate and graduate-level aerospace engineering students, as well as professional engineers who wish to acquire a comprehensive understanding of the aerospace aspects of space systems. The book covers the application of numerical analysis and computer techniques in celestial mechanics, including the analysis of satellite orbits for geophysical effects. It also explores the application of celestial mechanics to spacecraft flight and covers space flight optimization.

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8."Computational Space Flight Mechanics" by Claus Weiland
“Computational Space Flight Mechanics” Book Review: This book is intended for graduate and doctoral students as well as non-specialists who are interested in space flight mechanics. It provides an explanation of the motion of celestial bodies, such as planets and moons, in gravitational fields. The book presents the governing equations in their most general form using discrete numerical methods. With the advanced state of numerical approximation schemes, computer power, and modern storage capacity, the book’s general practice is to provide numerical solutions for all the discussed topics and problems.

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9."Spaceflight Mechanics" by Daniele Mortari
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10."Modern Spacecraft Dynamics and Control" by Kaplan M H
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11."Space Flight for Beginners" by Andrew Motes
“Space Flight for Beginners” Book Review: This book is intended for undergraduate and graduate students of aerospace engineering who are interested in orbital mechanics and astrodynamics. The book presents an innovative approach to understanding these topics, relying on a single equation that can be comprehended with just high-school level math. Unlike other textbooks, this book emphasizes intuitive understanding rather than mathematical derivations. Additionally, it includes free windows-based software for simulating orbits and designing space missions. The book covers the fundamentals of gravitational and centripetal forces that enable orbits, explains how orbits are classified, and provides guidance on how to perform orbital transfers. Furthermore, it offers a comprehensive overview of space mission design, including interplanetary missions.

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12."Computational Space Flight Mechanics" by Claus Weiland
“Computational Space Flight Mechanics” Book Review: This book provides numerical solutions to the complex physics of space flight mechanics, allowing readers to understand the subject matter in depth. The book features codes written in FORTRAN and MATLAB, as well as solutions to problems, and offers numerical solutions for all discussed topics and problems, including orbit determination through orbital elements, Lagrange’s perturbation equations for disturbed Earth’s orbits, and the flight of a mass point in flight path coordinates. This book is intended for graduate and doctoral students and non-specialists with an interest in space flight mechanics.

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13."Spaceflight Mechanics 1992 (Advances in the Astronautical Sciences)" by Roger E Diehl and Ralph G Schinnerer
“Spaceflight Mechanics 1992 (Advances in the Astronautical Sciences)” Book Review: This textbook is intended for both undergraduate and graduate students of aerospace engineering. It presents a simplified approach to understanding orbital mechanics and astrodynamics, based on a single equation that can be understood using only high-school level mathematics. Unlike other textbooks, this book teaches the subject with minimal use of math. It also comes with free software for designing space missions and simulating orbits on Windows-based platforms. The book covers the concept of gravitational and centripetal forces enabling orbits, how orbits are classified, and techniques for performing orbital transfers. It also includes a section on designing space missions for interplanetary travel.

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14."SpaceFlight Mechanics 2014 (Volume 152 in the Advances in the Astronautical Sciences Series)" by Ossama Abdelkhalik and Roby S Wilson
“SpaceFlight Mechanics 2014 (Volume 152 in the Advances in the Astronautical Sciences Series)” Book Review: This book offers an in-depth understanding of spaceflight mechanics and is a revised edition that covers the latest developments and concepts in the field. It covers various aspects of spaceflight mechanics with real-world examples to aid self-learning. The book combines practical and theoretical knowledge to provide a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. It will be beneficial for practicing engineers, space scientists, and graduate students of aeronautical and mechanical engineering.

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15."Spaceflight Mechanics 2013: Proceedings of the 23rd Aas/Aiaa Space Flight Mechanics Meeting: 148 (Advances in the Astronautical Sciences)" by Sergei Tanygin
“Spaceflight Mechanics 2013: Proceedings of the 23rd Aas/Aiaa Space Flight Mechanics Meeting: 148 (Advances in the Astronautical Sciences)” Book Review: This book is a compilation of lectures and proceedings on spaceflight mechanics presented at the 23rd AAS/AIAA Spaceflight Mechanics Meeting. It offers a wealth of practical information and case studies from researchers worldwide, supplemented by helpful illustrations to aid self-study. The content provides a balance between practical and theoretical knowledge, making it a valuable resource for those seeking to gain insights into the application of spaceflight mechanics. This book is particularly beneficial for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students of aeronautical and mechanical engineering, as well as practicing engineers and space scientists.

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16."Spaceflight Mechanics 2012 (Advances in the Astronautical Sciences, Volume 143)" by Various and James V McAdams
“Spaceflight Mechanics 2012 (Advances in the Astronautical Sciences, Volume 143)” Book Review: This book comprehensively covers space flight mechanics and uses practical, real-world examples to illustrate key concepts throughout. The accompanying website includes MATLAB M-files to aid in conducting space mission analysis. The book delves into relative motion, entry flight mechanics, low-thrust transfers, rocket propulsion fundamentals, attitude dynamics, and attitude control, as well as numerous other space flight topics not found in comparable titles. The book is particularly suited for upper-level undergraduate and graduate students studying aerospace engineering.

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17."Spaceflight Mechanics 2011 (Volume 140 of the Advances in the Astronautical Sciences Series)" by Various and Moriba K Jah
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18."Spaceflight Mechanics 2009: Advances in the Astronautical Sciences" by Alan M Segerman and Peter C Lai
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19."Spaceflight Mechanics 2008 (Advances in the Astronautical Sciences, Volume 130)" by Various and John H Seago
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20."Spaceflight Mechanics 2007: 127 (Advances in the Astronautical Sciences)" by Maruthi R Akella and James W Gearhart
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21."Spaceflight Mechanics 1999: Advances in the Astronautical Sciences" by Madeleine Bera and Robert H Bishop
“Spaceflight Mechanics 1999: Advances in the Astronautical Sciences” Book Review: This revised edition of the book offers an extensive coverage of spaceflight mechanics, encompassing the latest developments and concepts in the field. It features numerous aspects of spaceflight mechanics, with real-world examples used throughout the book to encourage self-study. The book offers a balanced mix of practical and theoretical understanding of the subject matter. It will prove valuable not only to practicing engineers and space scientists, but also to graduate students of aeronautical and mechanical engineering.

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2. Space Flight Navigation and Guidance

 
1."The Principles of Navigation" by Anderson E W
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2."Integrated Aircraft Navigation" by Farrell J L
“Integrated Aircraft Navigation” Book Review: This book is intended for both undergraduate and graduate students, and covers modern aircraft navigation systems characterized by their multifaceted nature. It covers various branches of theoretical dynamics, as well as inertial measurements, radar and radio navaids. The book explores topics such as aircraft navigation and tracking, spheroidal earth navigation and designation, primary and secondary sensor usage, space stable and geographic modes, initialization, in-flight updates, and sensor calibration. The mathematical analyses presented are accompanied by clear physical explanations to aid in understanding.

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3."Navigation : Land, Sea, Air, Space" by Kayton M
“Navigation : Land, Sea, Air, Space” Book Review: This book is intended for both graduate and undergraduate students and provides an overview of navigation systems. It covers key concepts such as signal processing, planetary geometry, and the difference between guidance and navigation. The book discusses various navigation methods, including absolute navigation, dead reckoning, time measurement, GPS, and DGPS. It also delves into topics such as cost accuracy, test data, and animal navigation. The book provides detailed information about the attributes of navigation systems.

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4."Fundamentals of Aerospace Navigation and Guidance (Cambridge Aerospace Series)" by Pierre T Kabamba and Anouck R Girard
“Fundamentals of Aerospace Navigation and Guidance (Cambridge Aerospace Series)” Book Review: This book is intended for graduate-level courses in aerospace. It covers the fundamental principles used in the navigation and guidance of modern aerospace vehicles. The book starts with an introduction that outlines the class of systems relevant to navigation. It presents deterministic and stochastic systems theory and applies it to navigation. Optimization and optimal control are also covered for use in optimal guidance. The book includes problem sets and exercises to aid in understanding the concepts.

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5."Space Shuttle Guidance, Navigation, and Rendezvous Knowledge Capture Reports" by National Aeronautics and Space Administration
“Space Shuttle Guidance, Navigation, and Rendezvous Knowledge Capture Reports” Book Review: This book is intended for engineers seeking to access knowledge capture documentation from the space shuttle program. It offers insights into the quality of documentation and research challenges encountered during the space shuttle and Orion programs. The book also covers future flight programs and provides strategies for knowledge capture and management. The knowledge capture reports on the space shuttle are described in detail, providing an overview of mission activities, operations concepts, and trajectory design evolution. In addition, the lessons learned, experience, and history reports serve as valuable secondary sources for historians and archivists.

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6."Introduction to Satellite Navigation, Inertial Navigation, and GNSS/INS Integration (Signals and Communication Technology)" by Stefan Knedlik
“Introduction to Satellite Navigation, Inertial Navigation, and GNSS/INS Integration (Signals and Communication Technology)” Book Review: This book is intended for both graduate and undergraduate students and serves as an introduction to navigation utilizing global navigation satellite systems. It explores inertial navigation and integrated navigation systems, emphasizing the underlying principles and theory. The book also covers signal processing techniques to extract the most appropriate measurements and provides practical methods that can be directly applied. Additionally, it delves into navigation system design while considering relevant references.

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7."Inside the International Space Station (ISS): NASA Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) Astronaut Training Manual" by World Spaceflight News
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8."Aerospace Sensor Systems and Applications" by Shmuel Merhav
“Aerospace Sensor Systems and Applications” Book Review: This book is intended for advanced undergraduate or graduate level aerospace engineering students. It provides an in-depth exploration of the principles of operation, advantages, shortcomings, and vulnerabilities of aerospace sensors. The book includes mathematical modeling, physics, construction, and dynamics of these sensors. It covers detailed information on guidance, control, and navigation systems that utilize these sensors.

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9."Missile Guidance and Control Systems" by George M Siouris
“Missile Guidance and Control Systems” Book Review: This book is aimed at students of aeronautical and aerospace engineering and covers control systems with applications in various fields including robotics and industrial process control. It provides a contemporary understanding of the technology used in tactical and strategic missile control. The book covers topics such as aerodynamic forces, moments, mathematical models of missiles, and weapon delivery. It also includes discussions on GPS, TERCOM, cruise missile mechanization equations, and a comprehensive analysis of ballistic missile guidance laws.

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10."Automatic Control of Atmospheric and Space Flight Vehicles" by Ashish Tewari
“Automatic Control of Atmospheric and Space Flight Vehicles” Book Review: This book is intended for senior undergraduate and graduate students in modern flight control system courses. The book provides a comprehensive and clear study of the design and analysis of automatic control systems. It covers essential control theory and design concepts for both atmospheric and space flight vehicles. The book also covers a range of advanced topics on applied mathematics and systems/control theory. A fundamental understanding of relevant flight dynamic principles required for designing a flight control system is explained. The book includes fundamental topics such as linear optimal control and non-linear orbit plane control.

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3. Space Dynamics

 
1."Introduction To Space Dynamics (Dover Books On Aeronautical Engineering)" by William T Thomson
“Introduction To Space Dynamics (Dover Books On Aeronautical Engineering)” Book Review: This book is intended for students studying physics and astronautical engineering, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels. It provides a comprehensive overview of Space Dynamics, starting with fundamental principles such as vector algebra and kinematics, and leading up to topics such as orbits, maneuvers, satellite stability and control, rocket performance, and the transformation of coordinates. The book also includes discussions of Euler’s Angles, nonholonomic systems, Lagrange’s equation for impulsive forces, and missile dynamics analysis. Practice problems, diagrams, and charts are included to aid understanding. This book is an invaluable resource for any student of aerospace engineering.

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2."Rocket Dynamics and Space Flight" by C Sivaram
“Rocket Dynamics and Space Flight” Book Review: This comprehensive book provides a detailed analysis of rocket dynamics and space flight, covering both traditional rocket technology and advanced propulsion systems such as photon rockets, solar sails, and ion rockets. The book also addresses key topics such as relativistic space flight and the challenge of re-entry into planetary atmospheres. Numerous solved and unsolved problems are included to help readers understand and apply the concepts. This book is suitable for undergraduate and graduate students in physics and engineering disciplines seeking a deeper understanding of rocket dynamics and space flight.

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3."Spaceflight Dynamics" by Wiesel
“Spaceflight Dynamics” Book Review: This book offers a comprehensive introduction to the dynamics of spaceflight, covering crucial aspects such as orbits, maneuvers, satellite stability and control, rocket performance, and re-entry. With a blend of theoretical and practical understanding, it includes practice problems, diagrams, and charts to facilitate learning. It is a valuable resource for upper-level undergraduate and introductory graduate students in astronautical engineering or physics seeking a solid grasp of the subject matter.

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4."Space Dynamics" by J P Chauhan
“Space Dynamics” Book Review: This aerospace engineering textbook provides a comprehensive introduction to the fundamental principles of Space Dynamics, covering vector algebra and kinematics, as well as the general case of space motion. The book includes sections on the transformation of coordinates, including Euler’s Angles and the transformation of angular velocities, as well as an overview of holonomic and nonholonomic systems. Other topics include Lagrange’s equation for impulsive forces and missile dynamics analysis, and the book includes practice problems, diagrams, and charts to aid understanding. This textbook is a valuable resource for students studying aerospace engineering.

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5."Gas Dynamics and Space Propulsion" by M C Ramaswamy
“Gas Dynamics and Space Propulsion” Book Review: This book provides an introduction to the fundamentals of compressible fluid flow, incorporating principles of fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and heat transfer. Gas dynamics is the foundation for the study of aerodynamics, and this book delves into the details of gas dynamics under various flow conditions, both with and without heat transfer and friction. With practical applications, figures, and graphs, the subject matter is made easy to understand. This book is suitable for undergraduate students and educators alike.

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6."Perceptions of Marginality: Theoretical Issues and Regional Perceptions of Marginality in Geographical Space" by Heikki Jussila and Walter Leimgruber
“Perceptions of Marginality: Theoretical Issues and Regional Perceptions of Marginality in Geographical Space” Book Review: This book provides a comprehensive analysis of the theoretical aspects and regional perceptions of marginality in geographic space. It explores the issue of marginality from both theoretical and regional perspectives, facilitating an enhanced understanding of development processes and issues that are spatially bound. Additionally, it compares human and resource management approaches in various marginal areas of the world. The book serves as a basis for developing strategies and policies for achieving sustainable socio-economic development. It is a valuable resource for students and researchers in the field of aeronautical engineering.

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7."Spherical Astronomy and Space Dynamics" by J P Chauhan
“Spherical Astronomy and Space Dynamics” Book Review: This book provides a comprehensive coverage of all the phases of a space mission including launch trajectories, satellite motion in space, and entry flight mechanics upon returning from space. It particularly emphasizes the study of orbital mechanics, covering topics such as two-body motion, orbit determination, and orbital maneuvers, with applications in Earth-centered and interplanetary missions. The concepts are presented with the help of illustrations and real-world examples from the space industry. This book is particularly suited for upper-level undergraduate and graduate students pursuing aerospace engineering.

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8."Spacecraft Attitude Dynamics (Dover Books on Aeronautical Engineering)" by Peter C Hughes
“Spacecraft Attitude Dynamics (Dover Books on Aeronautical Engineering)” Book Review: This book provides a comprehensive study of the environmental forces that spacecraft encounter in space, including the effects of energy dissipation on the stability of spinning bodies, motion equations for various systems, and orientation parameters. It uses on-orbit flight data and real engineering hardware to illustrate key concepts and provide examples of dynamic ideas. The book is suitable for advanced undergraduate and graduate students and can serve as a useful reference for professional engineers studying the analysis and application of modern spacecraft attitude dynamics.

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9."Essential Spaceflight Dynamics and Magnetospherics (Space Technology Library)" by V Rauschenbakh and M Y Ovchinnikov
“Essential Spaceflight Dynamics and Magnetospherics (Space Technology Library)” Book Review: This book provides a detailed study of celestial mechanics and spaceflight dynamics. It starts with classical two and three body problems and illustrates the beauty of analytical methods used in celestial mechanics. It covers osculating orbital elements and analysis techniques for evaluating the influence of disturbing forces on spacecraft. The book considers attitude control of spacecraft using active and passive methods of orientation and stabilization. It also provides an advanced treatment of attitude control system development. The book is a valuable resource for undergraduate and graduate students studying aeronautical engineering.

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We have put a lot of effort into researching the best books on Space Flight and came out with a recommended list and their reviews. If any more book needs to be added to this list, please email us. We are working on free pdf downloads for books on Space Flight and will publish the download link here. Fill out this Space Flight books pdf download" request form for download notification.

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