Mission Design and Trajectory Skill
Purpose
Enable comprehensive space mission design and trajectory analysis including orbital mechanics, launch window optimization, and maneuver planning.
Capabilities
- Orbital mechanics calculations
- Launch window analysis
- Delta-V budgeting and optimization
- Transfer trajectory design
- Maneuver planning and sequencing
- Rendezvous and proximity operations
- Entry, descent, and landing analysis
- STK and GMAT integration
Usage Guidelines
- Define clear mission objectives and constraints
- Optimize trajectories for propellant mass or time of flight
- Consider launch vehicle performance and constraints
- Account for perturbations in trajectory propagation
- Plan contingency maneuvers for off-nominal conditions
- Document trajectory design assumptions and margins
Dependencies
- STK (Systems Tool Kit)
- GMAT
- MATLAB Aerospace Toolbox
Process Integration
- AE-014: Mission Design and Analysis