Looking for resouces

[Algirdyz]

Hey,

So let's say I want to learn everything there is to know about space flight. From orbital maneuvering to propulsion or even structural integrity of command pods. Both theory and formulas/calculations. Is there a good website/book or anything else that I could use in great success? 

[Steel]

Welcome to the forums!

I'm not going to lie, spaceflight is a simply huge area, no one can possibly know everything, but let's get started anyway!

One question before anyone recommends anything, how good are you at maths? For a fairly large amount of the topics (i.e orbital mechanics, propulsion...) you need a solid understanding of - at the very least - basic calculus, but usually more advanced than that to get anywhere in the theory.

Otherwise you can learn a lot about the ideas and get a good general view and go into the theory later on

Edited January 27, 2016 by Steel

[kunok]

It will be good idea to have a pinned thread with an index of information and sources about spacecraft, so somebody who wants to know more has an easy way to look for it in the forum

Edited January 27, 2016 by kunok
typo as always

[fredinno]

1 hour ago, kunok said:

It will be good idea to have a pinned thread with an index of information and sources about spacecraft, so somebody who wants to know more has an easy way to look for it in the forum

Try looking at pernament.com or atomic rockets.

[Algirdyz]

5 hours ago, Steel said:

Welcome to the forums!

I'm not going to lie, spaceflight is a simply huge area, no one can possibly know everything, but let's get started anyway!

One question before anyone recommends anything, how good are you at maths? For a fairly large amount of the topics (i.e orbital mechanics, propulsion...) you need a solid understanding of - at the very least - basic calculus, but usually more advanced than that to get anywhere in the theory.

Otherwise you can learn a lot about the ideas and get a good general view and go into the theory later on

I have a bachelor in electronics engineering. So advanced math like calculus and complex numbers are covered.  

Of course I understand that I can't know everything in depth, but I want to have decent understanding of it.

[Steel]

3 hours ago, Algirdyz said:

I have a bachelor in electronics engineering. So advanced math like calculus and complex numbers are covered.  

Of course I understand that I can't know everything in depth, but I want to have decent understanding of it.

Excellent. 

For starters, the  NASA Technical Document Server is an excellent repository of papers, reports and other technical documents written by and for NASA that aren't classified any more, well worth checking out!

From the NTDS I'd recommend "design of liquid propulsion rocket engines" which is basically a textbook detailing pretty much everything about the design of liquid engines.

In a similar vein, "ignition! An informal history of liquid rocket propellants" is a book that is highly recommended as a funny and informative look as liquid propellants used in the industry. It's out of print but you can find PDFs online

 

 

Edited January 27, 2016 by Steel

[Algirdyz]

7 hours ago, Steel said:

Excellent. 

For starters, the  NASA Technical Document Server is an excellent repository of papers, reports and other technical documents written by and for NASA that aren't classified any more, well worth checking out!

From the NTDS I'd recommend "design of liquid propulsion rocket engines" which is basically a textbook detailing pretty much everything about the design of liquid engines.

In a similar vein, "ignition! An informal history of liquid rocket propellants" is a book that is highly recommended as a funny and informative look as liquid propellants used in the industry. It's out of print but you can find PDFs online

 

 

Thanks, I'll check those out. Any other specific papers/reports you recommend from NTDS? Covering various topics.

[Steel]

1 hour ago, Algirdyz said:

Thanks, I'll check those out. Any other specific papers/reports you recommend from NTDS? Covering various topics.

I've got nothing specifically, but just have a look around! Once I wanted to have a look at the specs of an aerobee sounding rocket from the 50's and managed to find its entire operating manual in there somewhere