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  • Book
  • © 2018

Low Earth Orbit Satellite Design

  • Contains detailed procedures for designing each spacecraft subsystem, including software
  • Includes over 225 illustrations, graphs, and equations specific to spacecraft hardware and software technologies
  • Provides valuable information about a hot and growing market for small satellite designers and universities

Part of the book series: Space Technology Library (SPTL, volume 36)

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eBook USD 79.99
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Softcover Book USD 99.99
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  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
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Hardcover Book USD 159.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
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Table of contents (21 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xix
  2. The Space Environment

    • George Sebestyen, Steve Fujikawa, Nicholas Galassi, Alex Chuchra
    Pages 1-7
  3. Satellite Missions

    • George Sebestyen, Steve Fujikawa, Nicholas Galassi, Alex Chuchra
    Pages 9-37
  4. Orbits and Spacecraft-Related Geometry

    • George Sebestyen, Steve Fujikawa, Nicholas Galassi, Alex Chuchra
    Pages 39-54
  5. Electric Power Subsystem Design

    • George Sebestyen, Steve Fujikawa, Nicholas Galassi, Alex Chuchra
    Pages 55-68
  6. Spacecraft Communications

    • George Sebestyen, Steve Fujikawa, Nicholas Galassi, Alex Chuchra
    Pages 69-86
  7. Spacecraft Digital Hardware

    • George Sebestyen, Steve Fujikawa, Nicholas Galassi, Alex Chuchra
    Pages 87-90
  8. Attitude Determination and Control System (ADACS)

    • George Sebestyen, Steve Fujikawa, Nicholas Galassi, Alex Chuchra
    Pages 91-114
  9. Spacecraft Software

    • George Sebestyen, Steve Fujikawa, Nicholas Galassi, Alex Chuchra
    Pages 115-125
  10. Spacecraft Structure

    • George Sebestyen, Steve Fujikawa, Nicholas Galassi, Alex Chuchra
    Pages 127-159
  11. Deployment Mechanisms

    • George Sebestyen, Steve Fujikawa, Nicholas Galassi, Alex Chuchra
    Pages 161-171
  12. Propulsion

    • George Sebestyen, Steve Fujikawa, Nicholas Galassi, Alex Chuchra
    Pages 173-186
  13. Thermal Design

    • George Sebestyen, Steve Fujikawa, Nicholas Galassi, Alex Chuchra
    Pages 187-201
  14. Radiation Hardening, Reliability and Redundancy

    • George Sebestyen, Steve Fujikawa, Nicholas Galassi, Alex Chuchra
    Pages 203-208
  15. Integration and Test

    • George Sebestyen, Steve Fujikawa, Nicholas Galassi, Alex Chuchra
    Pages 209-221
  16. Launch Vehicles and Payload Interfaces

    • George Sebestyen, Steve Fujikawa, Nicholas Galassi, Alex Chuchra
    Pages 223-234
  17. Ground Stations and Ground Support Equipment

    • George Sebestyen, Steve Fujikawa, Nicholas Galassi, Alex Chuchra
    Pages 235-239
  18. Spacecraft Operations

    • George Sebestyen, Steve Fujikawa, Nicholas Galassi, Alex Chuchra
    Pages 241-248
  19. Low Cost Design and Development

    • George Sebestyen, Steve Fujikawa, Nicholas Galassi, Alex Chuchra
    Pages 249-254
  20. Systems Engineering and Program Management

    • George Sebestyen, Steve Fujikawa, Nicholas Galassi, Alex Chuchra
    Pages 255-277

About this book

In recent decades, the number of satellites being built and launched into Earth’s orbit has grown immensely, alongside the field of space engineering itself. This book offers an in-depth guide to engineers and professionals seeking to understand the technologies behind Low Earth Orbit satellites.

With access to special spreadsheets that provide the key equations and relationships needed for mastering spacecraft design, this book gives the growing crop of space engineers and professionals the tools and resources they need to prepare their own LEO satellite designs, which is especially useful for designers of small satellites such as those launched by universities. Each chapter breaks down the various mathematics and principles underlying current spacecraft software and hardware designs. 

Authors and Affiliations

  • McLean, USA

    George Sebestyen

  • Crofton, USA

    Steve Fujikawa

  • Bethesda, USA

    Nicholas Galassi

  • Arnold, USA

    Alex Chuchra

About the authors

The principal author, Dr. George Sebestyen, has an extensive background helping to design 34 different spacecraft. He founded and was President of Defense Systems, Inc. (now part of ATKOrbital). 

Steve Fujikawa is a spacecraft attitude determination and control system (ADACS) specialist, and the President of Maryland Aerospace Inc.


Mr. Alex Chuchra is a spacecraft thermal design specialist with extensive NASA experience.


Mr. Nick Galassi is a spacecraft structural analyst with NASA and other private spacecraft programs.


The combined expertise of this group has resulted in this brief but comprehensive engineering design handbook to aid the practical LEO spacecraft designer.

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 79.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 159.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access