Spacecraft Attitude Determination and Control (Astrophysics and Space Science Library)

This classic book is the first comprehensive presentation of data, theory, and practice in attitude analysis. It was written by 33 senior technical staff members in the Spacecraft Attitude Department of the Computer Sciences Corporation and incorporates their experience in supporting more than 30 space missions. Because of the extensive cross-references, complete index, and 13 technical appendices, this book can be either a self teaching text, or a reference handbook.Among its unique features are orthographic globe projections to eliminate confusion in vector drawings; discussions of common data anomalies, data validation, attitude hardware, and associated mathematical models; and a presentation of new geometrical procedures for mission analysis and attitude accuracy studies which can eliminate many complex simulations.