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{ "item_title" : "Spacecraft Systems Engineering Handbook", "item_author" : [" Thalen R. Ashford "], "item_description" : "The engineering knowledge required to design a spacecraft is spread across dozens of specialist textbooks, standards documents, and conference proceedings - each excellent within its discipline, none connecting the whole.This handbook closes that gap.Twenty chapters develop every major spacecraft subsystem at working-engineer depth - governing equations derived, not just stated; numerical examples carried to computed results; and cross-references that trace every output to the inputs it feeds in every adjacent chapter. A single spacecraft - a 1,500 kg Earth observation satellite in Sun-synchronous orbit at 500 km - runs as the worked example throughout, so every formula lands on real numbers and every result is traceable across the full design.Coverage includes: Space environment: radiation dose, plasma charging, atomic oxygen flux, thermal cycling, and debris risk - and how each constrains every subsystem that followsOrbital mechanics and mission analysis: vis-viva equation, eclipse fraction, nodal regression, constellation designChemical and electric propulsion sizing: specific impulse trades, propellant mass computation, and the power-transfer time tradeoff for all-electric platformsElectrical power systems: solar array sizing and degradation, battery management, power conditioning architecture, eclipse and sunlit mode budgetsAttitude determination and control: disturbance torque analysis, sensor and actuator selection, linearised control lawsStructures: launch load cases, natural frequency requirements, material selection, ECSS-compliant design marginsThermal control: coating selection, MLI sizing, radiator area, heater allocation, eclipse-sunlit cyclingTelecommunications: link budget development, Friis transmission equation, noise temperature, uplink and downlink marginTelemetry, command, and on-board data handling; EMC and ECSS-compliant verification; AIV test sequencing and model philosophySmall satellite and CubeSat systems engineering at genuine design depth - subsystem selection under real mass, power, and volume constraintsModel-based systems engineering: SysML architecture modelling, interface control, requirement traceability, digital twin integrationBoth heritage-qualified and commercial new space practice - reusable launch vehicles, rideshare, mega-constellation operations, software-defined ground infrastructure - are addressed throughout. ECSS and CCSDS standards provide the governing framework where they apply.For engineers entering spacecraft programmes or transitioning into systems roles; graduate students seeking a comprehensive systems-level reference; and practitioners who need one structured resource that connects every discipline and every decision.", "item_img_path" : "https://covers1.booksamillion.com/covers/bam/9/79/818/782/9798187821204_b.jpg", "price_data" : { "retail_price" : "67.78", "online_price" : "67.78", "our_price" : "67.78", "club_price" : "67.78", "savings_pct" : "0", "savings_amt" : "0.00", "club_savings_pct" : "0", "club_savings_amt" : "0.00", "discount_pct" : "10", "store_price" : "" } }
Spacecraft Systems Engineering Handbook|Thalen R. Ashford

Spacecraft Systems Engineering Handbook : Design, Integration, and Modern Practice

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Overview

The engineering knowledge required to design a spacecraft is spread across dozens of specialist textbooks, standards documents, and conference proceedings - each excellent within its discipline, none connecting the whole.

This handbook closes that gap.

Twenty chapters develop every major spacecraft subsystem at working-engineer depth - governing equations derived, not just stated; numerical examples carried to computed results; and cross-references that trace every output to the inputs it feeds in every adjacent chapter. A single spacecraft - a 1,500 kg Earth observation satellite in Sun-synchronous orbit at 500 km - runs as the worked example throughout, so every formula lands on real numbers and every result is traceable across the full design.

Coverage includes:

  • Space environment: radiation dose, plasma charging, atomic oxygen flux, thermal cycling, and debris risk - and how each constrains every subsystem that follows
  • Orbital mechanics and mission analysis: vis-viva equation, eclipse fraction, nodal regression, constellation design
  • Chemical and electric propulsion sizing: specific impulse trades, propellant mass computation, and the power-transfer time tradeoff for all-electric platforms
  • Electrical power systems: solar array sizing and degradation, battery management, power conditioning architecture, eclipse and sunlit mode budgets
  • Attitude determination and control: disturbance torque analysis, sensor and actuator selection, linearised control laws
  • Structures: launch load cases, natural frequency requirements, material selection, ECSS-compliant design margins
  • Thermal control: coating selection, MLI sizing, radiator area, heater allocation, eclipse-sunlit cycling
  • Telecommunications: link budget development, Friis transmission equation, noise temperature, uplink and downlink margin
  • Telemetry, command, and on-board data handling; EMC and ECSS-compliant verification; AIV test sequencing and model philosophy
  • Small satellite and CubeSat systems engineering at genuine design depth - subsystem selection under real mass, power, and volume constraints
  • Model-based systems engineering: SysML architecture modelling, interface control, requirement traceability, digital twin integration

Both heritage-qualified and commercial new space practice - reusable launch vehicles, rideshare, mega-constellation operations, software-defined ground infrastructure - are addressed throughout. ECSS and CCSDS standards provide the governing framework where they apply.

For engineers entering spacecraft programmes or transitioning into systems roles; graduate students seeking a comprehensive systems-level reference; and practitioners who need one structured resource that connects every discipline and every decision.

This item is Non-Returnable

Details

  • ISBN-13: 9798187821204
  • ISBN-10: 9798187821204
  • Publisher: Independently Published
  • Publish Date: July 2026
  • Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.98 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 2.46 pounds
  • Page Count: 486

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