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Demonstrating High-Accuracy Orbital Access Using Open-Source ToolsOrbit propagation is fundamental to almost every space-based analysis. Currently, many system analysts use commercial software to predict the future positions of orbiting satellites. This is one of many capabilities that can replicated, with great accuracy, without using expensive, proprietary software. NASAs SCaN (Space Communication and Navigation) Center for Engineering, Networks, Integration, and Communications (SCENIC) project plans to provide its analysis capabilities using a combination of internal and open-source software, allowing for a much greater measure of customization and flexibility, while reducing recurring software license costs. MATLAB and the open-source Orbit Determination Toolbox created by Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) were utilized to develop tools with the capability to propagate orbits, perform line-of-sight (LOS) availability analyses, and visualize the results. The developed programs are modular and can be applied for mission planning and viability analysis in a variety of Solar System applications. The tools can perform 2 and N-body orbit propagation, find inter-satellite and satellite to ground station LOS access (accounting for intermediate oblate spheroid body blocking, geometric restrictions of the antenna field-of-view (FOV), and relativistic corrections), and create animations of planetary movement, satellite orbits, and LOS accesses. The code is the basis for SCENICs broad analysis capabilities including dynamic link analysis, dilution-of-precision navigation analysis, and orbital availability calculations.
Document ID
20170010173
Acquisition Source
Glenn Research Center
Document Type
Technical Memorandum (TM)
Authors
Gilbertson, Christian (Pennsylvania State Univ. University Park, PA, United States)
Welch, Bryan (NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Date Acquired
October 18, 2017
Publication Date
October 1, 2017
Subject Category
Numerical Analysis
Computer Programming And Software
Astrodynamics
Space Communications, Spacecraft Communications, Command And Tracking
Report/Patent Number
GRC-E-DAA-TN46040
E-19411
NASA/TM-2017-219562
Funding Number(s)
WBS: WBS 439432.07.01.03.01
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
Keywords
propagation
orbit
access

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