title: Modern Orbit Determination: Second Edition
author: William E. Wiesel
description: Dr. Wiesel received his B.S. degree in astronomy from the University of Massachusetts in 1970, and his Ph.D. in stronomy from Harvard University in 1974. His early experience included tracking satellites with what is now Space Command in the U.S. Air Force, and software development for satellite tracking. He has published numerous technical papers in solar system astronomy, optimal orbit transfer, control of periodic systems, and dynamical systems theory. His current interests center about applying dynamical systems theory to orbital mechanics.
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  Contents
  
  
  
  
  
  [CONTENTS](../Text/toc.xhtml)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [PREFACE](../Text/preface.xhtml)
  
  
  
  
  
  [NOTE TO SECOND IMPRESSION](../Text/preface.xhtml#sigil_toc_id_1)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [NOTE TO THIRD IMPRESSION](../Text/preface.xhtml#sigil_toc_id_2)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter I HISTORICAL SURVEY](../Text/Chapter_01.xhtml)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter II THE EARTH’S GRAVITATIONAL FIELD](../Text/Chapter_02.xhtml)
  
  
  
  
  
  [Escape Velocity](../Text/Chapter_02.xhtml#sigil_toc_id_3)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Circular Velocity](../Text/Chapter_02.xhtml#sigil_toc_id_4)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Other Orbits](../Text/Chapter_02.xhtml#sigil_toc_id_5)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Summary](../Text/Chapter_02.xhtml#sigil_toc_id_6)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 3 THE ROCKET](../Text/Chapter_03.xhtml)
  
  
  
  
  
  [Fundamentals](../Text/Chapter_03.xhtml#sigil_toc_id_7)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 4 THE PROBLEM OF ESCAPE BY ROCKET](../Text/Chapter_04.xhtml)
  
  
  
  
  
  [Velocity Requirements](../Text/Chapter_04.xhtml#sigil_toc_id_8)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [The Step-Rocket](../Text/Chapter_04.xhtml#sigil_toc_id_9)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Orbital Refuelling