Spacecraft Systems Engineering

by Peter Fortescue (Editor), Graham Swinerd (Editor), John Stark (Editor)

This fourth edition of the bestselling Spacecraft Systems Engineering title provides the reader with comprehensive coverage of the design of spacecraft and the implementation of space missions, across a wide spectrum of space applications and space science. The text has been thoroughly revised and updated, with each chapter authored by a recognized expert in the field.  Three chapters – Ground Segment, Product Assurance and Spacecraft System Engineering – have been rewritten, and the topic of Assembly, Integration and Verification has been introduced as a new chapter, filling a gap in previous editions. This edition addresses ‘front-end system-level issues’ such as environment, mission analysis and system engineering, but also progresses to a detailed examination of subsystem elements which represents the core of spacecraft design. This includes mechanical, electrical and thermal aspects, as well as propulsion and control. This quantitative treatment is supplemented by an emphasis on the interactions between elements, which deeply influences the process of spacecraft design.

Adopted on courses worldwide, Spacecraft Systems Engineering is already widely respected by students, researchers and practising engineers in the space engineering sector. It provides a valuable resource for practitioners in a wide spectrum of disciplines, including system and subsystem engineers, spacecraft equipment designers, spacecraft operators, space scientists and those involved in related sectors such as space insurance.

In summary, this is an outstanding resource for aerospace engineering students, and all those involved in the technical aspects of design and engineering in the space sector.

Genres: Engineering, Space, Science, Nonfiction, Reference, Textbooks, Stem

1235 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 20, 1991

Reviews

[Bruno Sánchez-Andrade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can´t understand why people don´t like it.

It´s a good book. I am not in the field, but skimming the book every now and then lets you learn concepts quite fast. Somehow, it is also written in a way that I tend to end up thinking about concepts for a few days. Like the use of the different inner geometries to shape the thrust profile. I am not in this field, so I´m sure this might be a 101 concept, but I really enjoyed reading about that, and then thinking the implications and variations...

[Kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for work but for the type of book, it was easy to read and for me super useful and interesting 🙂

[Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first introduction to spacecraft engineering; there is likely a lot of ground to cover here. With the reduced launch costs this might be quite timely. If freight space/mass can be booked openly for space. There is the E. Olistrom CPR or Tragedy of the Commons issue, if this happens excessively. Recommended.

[Marlon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very nice comprehensive book

It has a very wide and detailed coverage. Excellent to get a general perspective on systems engineering, specially as applied to earth orbiting satelites and probes.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I mean, this is impossible to review. It was a textbook for my course, and I learned a lot from studying it. It was also well beyond me in a lot of sections! As a reference and a resource, it was very interesting.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow such a light read for the weekend. really breezed through this