Viewing Segments | Adding, Removing, and Modifying Segments

Multi-Segment Attitude Profiles

The Multi-Segment option lets you set up complex sequences of multiple basic, targeted, and file-based attitude profiles.

Viewing Attitude Segments

Attitude segments are displayed in a list, together with the following information:

Parameter	Description
Name	The name of the attitude segment, depending on the source of the segment: For Basic segments: A short name based on the descriptive phrase describing the attitude profile. For Targeted segments: The name of the target object (see note below). For File segments: The name of the external file. Periods of slewing preceding and following target acquisition are named 'Slew'.
Source	The source of the attitude segment: Basic, Targeted, or File.
Number	A sequential identifier indicating the order in which the segments will be applied.
Start Time	The time at which STK will begin using the segment to define the vehicle's attitude.
Stop Time	The time at which STK will stop using the segment to define the vehicle's attitude.

Select the View Basic segments, View Target segments, and View File segments checkboxes to limit the display to segments from a source or sources of interest. Select the Target Segments and File Segments checkboxes to prevent targeted and/or file-based segments from applying without having to remove those segments from the list.

The View segments checkboxes only affect the appearance of attitude segments in the list. For example, if View Target segments is not selected, any targeted profiles in the sequence continue to apply. To prevent them from applying, you must deselect the Target Segments box.
Astrogator Maneuver segments can create attitude segments that override the attitude setting of the vehicle as shown by the Attitude page.

Adding, Removing, and Modifying Segments

Editing options for an attitude profile in a Multi Segment sequence depend on the source of the profile: Basic, Targeted, or File.

Basic Segments

Editing options for basic attitude segments appear in the Basic Segments frame. To add a new basic attitude segment to the sequence, click Add segment. To edit, copy, or remove an existing basic attitude segment, highlight it in the list and click Edit segment, Copy segment, or Remove segment, respectively.

In the window that displays when you click Add segment, Edit segment, or Copy segment, provide the following information:

Parameter	Description
Name	The name of the segment. You can replace the default name with a name of your choice.
Start Time	The time at which the segment begins. If the Start Time for the present segment precedes that for another segment, then the Stop Time for the present segment coincides with the Start time for the later segment; otherwise, the Stop Time for the present segment is the end of the vehicle time period. For more information on the options available for start and stop times, see Time Options.
Type	Select a predefined attitude profile and specify any applicable parameters.

Target Segments

To add a targeted attitude segment to the Multi Segment sequence or edit an existing one, click Add/Edit segment and proceed as you would for a Standard Target Pointing profile.

Attitude targets defined by latitude/longitude/altitude points are displayed on the Basic Attitude properties page but can only be added and edited using Connect.

File Segments

Editing options for external file-based attitude segments appear in the File Segments frame. To add a file segment, click Add segment. In the window, enter the path and name of the Attitude File, or click the ellipsis (...) button and browse for a path and file name. After a file has been selected, the File Start and Stop Times are displayed. For more information on the options available for start and stop times, see Time Options. Select one of the following save options:

Option	Description
Always read data from attitude file	Attitude data is not saved as part of the vehicle profile. This option is generally preferable, since the vehicle's attitude data is updated automatically with changes in the external attitude file.
Import and save attitude data	Attitude data is saved as part of the vehicle profile. This option is convenient in some circumstances, e.g. when sharing vehicle files.

If you wish to select a Reference Attitude for the interpretation of data from the attitude file, deselect the Use Default (ECI) option, click Select and make your choice.

Click OK to add the file segment to the Multi Segment sequence, or Cancel to return to the Attitude page without adding a segment.

To remove a file segment from the sequence, highlight it in the list and click Remove segment.