Atmospheric and Space Flight Dynamics

Modern aerospace vehicles, such as the space shuttle, other launch vehicles, and long-range ballistic missiles, do not discriminate between atmospheric and space flight. Most texts on flight dynamics, however, make this artificial distinction and therefore do not simultaneously cover aircraft and spacecraft. Bridging this gap in the literature, Atmospheric and Space Flight Dynamics is a unified presentation, demonstrating that the two disciplines have actually evolved from the same set of physical principles. Key features inclue an introduction to a broad range of modern topics in an accessible, yet mathematically rigorous presentation; many numerical examples and simulations utilizing MATLAB and Simulink; software used as an instructional, hands-on tool, moving away from the "cookbook" approach found in other works; and numerous illustrations and end-of-chapter exercises. Primarily useful as a textbook for advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate-level students, the work is also an excellent reference or self-study guide for researchers and practitioners in aerospace engineering, aviation, mechanical engineering, dynamics, astrodynamics, aeronautics, and astronautics.