An Introduction to Mission Design for Geostationary Satellites

This book provides an introduction to the mission design of communication satellites. There are many excellent books on orbit mechanics and astrodynamics, but until now there has been no single work that explains the ins and outs of mission design, and explains why things are done the way they are done as well as how they are done. The book will be of interest not only to practising mission analysts, but also to spacecraft systems engineers, spacecraft project managers and to those who wish to employ the unique attributes of geosynchronous spacecraft for useful purposes. At last, an explanation of the ins and outs of mission design is offered in a clear and concise matter. The self-contained reference book utilizes analytical details and illustrations to explain the broad aspects of design and mission operations. This unique approach makes it easier for you to assimilate the necessary information to analyze, plan, and carry out a geosynchronous mission from launch, through orbit transfer and station acquisition, to station-keeping and on-orbit operations. This book will be a useful reference for practising mission analysts, spacecraft systems engineers, project managers and others with a practical interest in the uniqiue attributes of geosynchronous spacecraft.