Books/Videos on Orbital Mechanics

[Legendary Emu]

I'm learning programming and something I eventually want to do is make some kind of simulation of patched conics. I want to get some good books or videos on the topic but I don't really know where to start. Any help?

[Steel]

Let's start at the beginning, how good would you say you maths skills are? A lot of orbital mechanics is not hard, but does require a little in the way of maths.

Assuming the maths is not an issue for you then here's what I would do (Please don't take anything I say as though I actually know what I'm doing, but as a physics undergrad with a functional but fairly basic understanding of programming, this is where I'd begin):

First get to a point were you can solve Newton's Law of Gravitation numerically for a particle around a single body (i.e. the two-body problem). Once you have that down you should have a good enough understanding to start to bring other elements in.

You may even find that you develop the skills and instead of just going for patched conics, you want to try a full n-body simulation.

However, if you want patched conics, this NASA document may help you out.

Edited October 17, 2015 by Steel

[Legendary Emu]

Thanks a bundle for helping me out, Steel. Newton's law of gravitation was a new thing for me, but I didn't have much trouble.

[Steel]

Not a problem, if you run into anything you're unsure about just post about it, the likelihood is someone will be able to help you out with it.