From runway to orbit, master the propulsion and astrodynamics that power modern flight. This comprehensive, classroom-tested guide unites airbreathing engine design with orbital mechanics so you can size compressors and turbines, stabilize combustors, cool hot-section hardware, shape inlets and nozzles—and then plan transfers, rendezvous, and gravity assists with confidence. Built for both rigorous study and real-world application, it bridges fundamentals and advanced topics with clear derivations, intuitive explanations, and engineering insight. More than 500 practice problems with answers reinforce every chapter, progressing from concept checks to design-level challenges that mirror industry work. What you’ll learn and apply: Gas turbine core: compressor and turbine aerodynamics, stage design, cooling, materials, and operability - Combustion and emissions: flame stabilization, liner cooling, lean-burn strategies, and acoustics - Inlets and nozzles: subsonic to hypersonic diffusion, shock control, variable geometry, vectoring, and afterburning - Engine matching and control: maps, multi-spool coordination, FADEC, transients, and surge margin - High-speed systems: ramjets, scramjets, combined cycles, thermal management, and installation effects - Astrodynamics essentials: two-body motion, orbital elements, Lambert solutions, and transfer design - Transfer trades: Hohmann, bi-elliptic, plane-change optimization, and delta-v budgeting - Perturbations: J2, atmospheric drag, solar radiation pressure, and third-body effects - Relative motion: Clohessy–Wiltshire, nonlinear rendezvous, proximity operations, and formation flying - Advanced missions: Lagrange-point orbits, patched conics, gravity assists, low-thrust spirals, optimal control, and timeline planning Who it’s for: Undergraduate and graduate students seeking a decisive edge in courses and projects - Practicing engineers cross-training between propulsion, GNC, and mission design - Self-learners and career changers who want a single, end-to-end reference - Teams preparing for demanding design reviews, flight tests, or mission proposals Why it stands out: 500+ practice problems with answers to speed mastery and build test-ready confidence - Step-by-step reasoning that connects equations to physical intuition and design choices - Practical rules-of-thumb, performance metrics, and trade studies you can use immediately Turn rocket science into your competitive advantage. Whether you’re optimizing a turbofan, taming a compressor map, or plotting a rendezvous, this is the definitive masterclass that carries you from airflow to orbit.