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Is there something of the like but for orbital mechanics? Out of all the engineering that is nearly superhuman to get us to do everything we do in space, there's something about the knowing that "if I point it at this direction, in 3 days time, going this fast, it'll hit this object in 4 days" that I just find utterly fascinating but am hopelessly ignorant about.



Kerbal Space Program. The original is more refined at this point, the second one will eventually have better tutorials, but if you watch Scott Manley videos you'll have the basics in no time. Then there's Dover Press with Fundamentals of Astrodynamics. Fun for everyone.


I'm a professional astrodynamicist, and I can echo the other commenters about KSP. I used it to study in my undergrad. I don't know of any way to get a better intuitive understanding of how the thrust directions affect trajectory, honestly.


As of today, I think the best way to learn orbital mechanics is playing Kerbal Space Program.


Yes. Kerbal Space Program. When you can get the small green men to the Mun and back, it will be time for you to leave.

https://youtu.be/PbMP0lo4A2o

https://youtu.be/WkU08pXUPKc

https://youtu.be/9OMvpSLHm4Q

https://youtu.be/j_57NSlkzt4


BMW and do the exercises by hand with pencil and paper.




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