Fundamentals of Spacecraft Optical Navigation

In Fundamentals of Spacecraft Optical Navigation, 1st Edition, author John A. Christian provides a structured textbook focused on optical navigation methods for space vehicles. The text presents foundational theory and analytical tools designed to help students analyze optical observations during space missions.

The content is organized into ten chapters that establish geometric and algorithmic foundations. Early chapters present an introduction to the mathematics of projective geometry, forming the mathematical basis for optical image analysis. Later chapters cover core mission applications, focusing on celestial navigation and terrain relative navigation.

This textbook is written for graduate students studying spacecraft guidance, navigation, and control. It provides academic support for specialized university lectures, coursework, and graduate research programs.