Part 16: Design Trajectories with Astrogator

STK Premium (Space) or STK Enterprise
You can obtain the necessary licenses for this tutorial by contacting AGI Support at support@agi.com or 1-800-924-7244.

This lesson requires version 12.7 of the STK software or newer to complete in its entirety.

The results of the tutorial may vary depending on the user settings and data enabled (online operations, terrain server, dynamic Earth data, etc.). It is acceptable to have different results.

Capabilities covered

This lesson covers the following capabilities of the Ansys Systems Tool Kit® (STK®) digital mission engineering software:

  • STK Pro
  • Astrogator

Problem statement

Engineers and operators require a quick way to design high-fidelity spacecraft trajectories for mission planning and operations. In this scenario, you will design a launch from a launch pad and successfully inject a satellite into a geosynchronous equatorial orbit (GEO).

Solution

Use the STK/Astrogator® capability to design:

  • A basic launch phase to place a satellite into a parking orbit (low Earth orbit, or LEO)
  • A transfer orbit injection (TOI) maneuver to transfer from LEO to GEO
  • A synchronized orbit injection (SOI) maneuver to circularize the orbit at GEO

What you will learn

Upon completion of this tutorial, you will have a basic understanding of:

  • The Astrogator capability
  • The Launch Vehicle object

Creating a new scenario

First, you must create a new scenario, then build from there.

  1. Launch the STK application ().
  2. Click Create a Scenario in the Welcome to STK dialog box.
  3. Enter the following in the New Scenario Wizard:
    4. Option Value
    Name STK_Astrogator
    Location Default
    Start Default
    Stop + 5 days
  4. Click OK when you finish.
  5. Click Save () after the scenario loads. The STK software creates a folder with the same name as your scenario for you.
  6. Verify the scenario name and location in the Save As dialog box.
  7. Click Save.

Save ( ) often during this lesson!

Updating the Insert STK Objects tool

Ensure the Launch Vehicle object appears in the Insert STK Objects tool.

  1. Click Edit Preferences... in the Insert STK Objects tool.
  2. Select the Launch Vehicle check box when the Preferences dialog box opens.
  3. Click OK to close the Preferences dialog box.

Creating a launch vehicle

Insert a Launch Vehicle object. A Launch Vehicle object models the properties and behavior of a vehicle that follows an ascent trajectory from a launch point to an orbit insertion point.

  1. Select Launch Vehicle () in the Insert STK Objects tool.
  2. Select the Insert Default () method.
  3. Click Insert. . ..
  4. Right-click on LaunchVehicle1 () in the Object Browser.
  5. Select Rename in the shortcut menu.
  6. Rename LaunchVehicle1 () LaunchToLEO.

Selecting a simple ascent propagator

Use the simple ascent propagator to define the ascent trajectory from a launch point to an orbit insertion point. The simple ascent propagator creates an ascent trajectory based on launch and insertion parameters. The trajectory is a simple curve rising vertically from the launch pad that turns over smoothly to insert the launch vehicle into orbit with a zero flight path angle at the insertion point using the specified velocity.

  1. Right-click on LaunchToLEO's ().
  2. Select Properties () in the shortcut menu.
  3. Select the Basic - Trajectory page.
  4. Ensure the Propagator is set to SimpleAscent.
  5. Enter 7.3 km/sec in the Burnout Velocity field. This will keep the resulting orbit near circular.
  6. Click Apply to accept your change and to keep the Properties Browser open.
  7. Select the 2D Graphics - Attributes page.
  8. Change the Color to teal.
  9. Click OK to accept your change and to close the Properties Browser.

Viewing the launch vehicle trajectory

View LaunchToLEO's launch vehicle trajectory and ground track in the 3D Graphics window.

  1. Bring the 3D Graphics window to the front.
  2. Zoom To LaunchToLEO ().
  3. Use your mouse to zoom out so you can see the launch vehicle trajectory and ground track.

    4. Launch Vehicle Trajectory

  4. Notice that the Launch Vehicle's () default location is Cape Canaveral.
  5. Notice that the trajectory ends at burnout.

Inserting a satellite

Insert a Satellite object that you will use to create the satellite orbit.

  1. Insert a Satellite () object using the Insert Default () method.
  2. Rename Satellite1 () GEO_Sat.

Using the Astrogator capability

You will use Astrogator to design your spacecraft trajectory. The Astrogator capability contains specialized analysis for interactive orbit maneuver and spacecraft trajectory design. Astrogator software acts as one of the propagators available for a Satellite object. Astrogator processing calculates the satellite's ephemeris by running a Mission Control Sequence, or MCS, that you define according to the requirements of your mission.

  1. Open GEO_Sat's () Properties ().
  2. Select the Basic - Orbit page.
  3. Open the Propagator drop-down list.
  4. Select Astrogator.

Setting up the Mission Control Sequence

The Mission Control Sequence is the core of your space mission scenario. The MCS functions as a graphical programming language, in which mission segments dictate how Astrogator calculates the trajectory of the spacecraft based on the general settings that you specify for the MCS itself.

The MCS is defined by selecting and organizing MCS Segments in a manner that produces your desired trajectory. By default, an Astrogator satellite's MCS contains two segments: an Initial State segment and a Propagate segment.

Deleting the Initial State segment

Since you are modeling a Launch Vehicle, remove the Initial State segment.

  1. Select Initial State () in the MCS.
  2. Click Delete Segment () in the MCS toolbar.
  3. Click Yes to confirm deletion.

Adding a Follow segment

Use a Follow segment to set the spacecraft to follow another vehicle at a specified offset, and to separate from that vehicle upon meeting specified conditions. You can specify the configuration of the spacecraft, the conditions at which the spacecraft joins with the leader vehicle, and the conditions at which the spacecraft separates from the leader vehicle. The segment goes though the ephemeris points of the leader, adding the specified offset to them and then adding these points to the ephemeris. Ephemeris points are not added until the joining condition is met and are added until the separation condition is met.

Use the Follow segment to set GEO_Sat to follow LaunchToLEO, and then separate from LaunchToLEO at the end of its ephemeris.

  1. Right-click on Propagate () MCS.
  2. Select Insert Before... in the shortcut menu.
  3. Select Follow () in the Segment Selection dialog box.
  4. Click OK to close the Segment Selection dialog box.

Defining the Follow segment's general parameters

To define a Follow segment, you must set the general parameters to describe the epoch and nature of the following operation, and then specify joining conditions, separation conditions, and spacecraft physical values as required by the general parameters you choose.

  1. Select Follow () in the MCS.
  2. Select the General tab.
  3. Click the Leader ellipsis ().
  4. Select LaunchToLEO () in the Select Component dialog box.
  5. Click OK to close the Select Component dialog box.
  6. Open the Joining drop-down list in the Additional Options panel.
  7. Select Join at End of Leader's Ephemeris.

    8. By selecting this joining parameter, GEO_Sat uses the LaunchToLEO's final ephemeris point as the initial and final state of the Follow Segment. Also, the separation parameter is automatically set to Separate at End of Leader's Ephemeris.

Setting the Fuel Tank configuration

In an Initial State, Follow, or Launch segment, you can configure the spacecraft to specify physical values such as the fuel mass, dry mass, and pressure coefficients using the Spacecraft Parameters and Fuel Tank tabs. The default parameters used by Astrogator are generalized to be consistent with modern spacecraft design. You can easily customize them to more accurately model your spacecraft's physical characteristics. For this lesson, you'll customize GEO_Sat's fuel tank volume and fuel mass.

  1. Select the Fuel Tank tab.
  2. Set the following in the order shown:
    3. Option Value
    Tank Volume 1.5 m^3
    Maximum Fuel Mass 6000 kg
    Fuel Mass 5000 kg
  3. Click Apply to accept your changes and to keep the Properties Browser open.

Running the Mission Control Sequence

To calculate the trajectory of the spacecraft you must run the Mission Control Sequence. Astrogator will proceed through the MCS and run each segment, generating an ephemeris for the spacecraft. As it runs the MCS, Astrogator carries the trajectory and state of the spacecraft determined so far from one segment to the next to calculate the trajectory of the spacecraft.

  1. Select Propagate () in the MCS.
  2. Note the current stopping condition is Duration, with a Trip value of 43200 sec (0.5 day).
  3. Click Run Entire Mission Control Sequence () in the MCS toolbar.
  4. Bring the 3D Graphics window to the front.
  5. Click Home View () to view GEO_Sat's () trajectory.

Satellite in Low Earth Orbit

Specifying the satellite engine model

An engine model component models the thrust and specific impulse (Isp) of a rocket engine. You can create a custom engine model in order to produce accurate results.

Creating a new engine model component

You'll duplicate a prebuilt engine model in the Component Browser and build from there.

  1. Return to GEO_Sat's () Properties ().
  2. Click Component Browser () in the MCS Toolbar.
  3. Open the Show Component Type drop-down list.
  4. Select Astrogator Components.
  5. Select the Engine Models () folder in the View All Astrogator Components list.
  6. Select Constant Thrust and Isp () in the Engine Models list on the right.
  7. Click Duplicate component () in the Engine Models toolbar.

    8. Constant Thrust and Isp () is read-only and cannot be modified, so you must duplicate it before you can modify it.

  8. Enter Test Engine in the Name field when the Field Editor dialog box opens.
  9. Click OK to close the Field Editor dialog box.
  10. Double-click on the Test Engine () entry in the Engine Models list.

Customizing your engine model

Modify the Constant Thrust and Isp engine model to specify the thrust and Isp for your engine.

  1. Double-click on the Thrust entry when the Test Engine dialog box opens.
  2. Enter 13500 N in the Real Number field when the Real Number Field dialog box opens.
  3. Click OK to close the Real Number Field dialog box.
  4. Double-click on the Isp entry in the Test Engine dialog box.
  5. Enter 2000 s in the Real Number field when the Real Number Field dialog box opens.
  6. Click OK to close the Real Number Field dialog box.

    7. This high value will only affect the amount of fuel that the satellite will burn through over the course of the maneuvers. You are doing this so that you do not need to modify the spacecraft mass values several times over the course of the mission.

Adding the engine model component to your user collection

You can save a custom-built component to your user collection and make it available in other scenarios.

  1. Click Add to Collection in the Test Engine dialog box.
  2. Click Close to close the Component Browser.

Note that Test Engine's icon () has changed to indicate the component has been added to your user collection.

Designing the transfer orbit injection (TOI)

Use the Propagate segment to fly to the first maneuver time. The orbit is circular and therefore the burn can take place at any time and result in a similar Delta-V. You require an inclination as close as possible to zero once you enter GEO. To minimize the required Delta-V to both circularize and change inclination at GEO, you will combine those maneuvers into one. For that to be successful, the apogee of the transfer orbit will be the ascending or descending node of the orbit. This can be achieved by starting the TOI burn on either the ascending or descending node.

Updating the Propagate segment's properties

Rename the Propagate segment Prop to TOI to make its purpose in the MCS more clear.

  1. Return to GEO_Sat's () Properties ().
  2. Right-click on Propagate () in the MCS.
  3. Select Rename in the shortcut menu.
  4. Rename Propagate () Prop to TOI.

Updating the Stopping Condition

Stopping conditions are Astrogator components that are used by Propagate, Follow, and Finite Maneuver segments to define the point at which propagation should stop. Update Prop to TOI's Stopping Condition to stop at the ascending node after two full revolutions in the parking orbit.

  1. Click New... () in the Stopping Conditions panel.
  2. Select AscendingNode () in the New Stopping Condition dialog box.
  3. Click OK to close the New Stopping Condition dialog box.
  4. Select Duration in the Stopping Conditions panel.
  5. Click Delete () in the Stopping Conditions toolbar.
  6. Enter 2 in the Repeat Count field.

    7. This will end the Propagate segment on the second ascending node.

  7. Click Apply to accept your changes and to keep the Properties Browser open.
  8. Click Run Entire Mission Control Sequence () in the MCS toolbar.

Defining a Target Sequence

Use a Target Sequence as a structural element to define a maneuver and propagation in terms of the goals they are intended to achieve. You will use a Target Sequence to calculate the Delta-V required to move GEO_Sat into a transfer orbit.

Inserting a new Target Sequence

Insert a new Target Sequence after the Propagate segment.

  1. Return to GEO_Sat's () Properties ().
  2. Right-click on Prop_To_TOI () in the MCS.
  3. Select Insert After... in the shortcut menu.
  4. Select Target Sequence () in the Segment Selection dialog box.
  5. Click OK to close the Segment Selection dialog box.
  6. Rename Target Sequence () Start Transfer.

Inserting a Maneuver segment

Insert a Maneuver segment. For this first maneuver, Delta-V will be solved to achieve a particular altitude at the end of the transfer ellipse.

  1. Right-click on Start Transfer () in the MCS.
  2. Select Insert After... in the shortcut menu.
  3. Select Maneuver () in the Segment Selection dialog box.
  4. Click OK to close the Segment Selection dialog box.

    5. The Maneuver () Segment appears below the Return () Segment.

  5. Drag and drop the Maneuver () Segment below and nested in Start Transfer ().
  6. Note that the default Maneuver type is Impulsive.

    7. For Impulsive maneuvers, Astrogator calculates the new state of the spacecraft by adding a Delta-V vector to the final state velocity of the previous segment. This new state is then added to the ephemeris and passed to the next segment.

Updating the Maneuver segment's properties

A Maneuver () segment isn't visible in the 2D and 3D Graphics windows. Propagate segment colors are visible. Change the Maneuver segment's color to white to focus on the Propagate segments.

  1. Right-click on Maneuver () in the MCS.
  2. Select Properties... in the shortcut menu.
  3. Enter TOI in the Name field when the Edit Segment dialog box opens.
  4. Open the Color drop-down list.
  5. Select white.
  6. Click OK to accept your changes and to close the Edit Segment dialog box.

Inserting a new Propagate Segment

Insert a Propagate segment to model the movement of the spacecraft along its current trajectory until meeting specified stopping conditions. The segment uses the defined propagator and integrator to propagate the state, adding each point to the ephemeris as it goes. After each step, the segment checks to see if any stopping conditions were met during the step. If so, it then finds the exact point, within tolerance, where the stopping condition is satisfied. From that point, the segment either executes an automatic sequence or stops the propagation and passes the state at that point to the next segment. Astrogator also adds an ephemeris point at the time that the stopping condition is triggered.

  1. Right-click on TOI () in the MCS.
  2. Select Insert After... in the shortcut menu.
  3. Select Propagate () in the Segment Select dialog box.
  4. Click OK to close the Segment Select dialog box.

Updating the Propagate segment's properties

Update the name and color of the Propagate segment.

  1. Right-click on Propagate () in the MCS.
  2. Select Properties... in the shortcut menu.
  3. Enter Transfer in the Name field when the Edit Segment dialog box opens.
  4. Open the Color drop-down list.
  5. Select yellow.
  6. Click OK to close the Edit Segment dialog box.
  7. Click Apply to accept your changes and to keep the Properties Browser open.

Setting the engine model

The Engine tab on a Maneuver segment defines the magnitude and the nature of the propulsion. The engine parameters specified on this tab are used primarily to define the maneuver direction when using a thruster set to seed a finite maneuver and to update the fuel mass. You can use Engine Model to quickly model the firing of a single engine. Use the Test Engine model you updated earlier.

  1. Select TOI () in the MCS.
  2. Select the Engine tab.
  3. Click the Engine Model ellipsis () in the Propulsion Type panel.
  4. Select Test Engine () in the Select Component dialog box.
  5. Click OK to close the Select Component dialog box.

Selecting the control parameter

A Target Sequence's differential corrector profile uses a differential correction algorithm to achieve a goal value or set of values. The values that the profile targets are called independent variables. The values that define the goal of the profile are called dependent variables. When the target sequence runs, it will change the values of the independent variables to achieve the goal. You can use any element of a nested MCS segment or linked component as an independent variable. Select the Maneuver segment's Delta-V Magnitude as the independent variable.

  1. Select the Attitude tab.
  2. Note that the default Attitude Control is Along Velocity Vector.
  3. Select the Delta-V Magnitude target ().

    4. Notice the target now has a check mark (). Selecting the target makes Delta-V Magnitude an independent variable. This tells Astrogator to determine the Delta-V magnitude based on user determined results. You will set up those results in an upcoming section.

  4. Click Apply to accept your changes and to keep the Properties Browser open.

Propagating to apoapsis

Update Transfer's () Stopping Condition to stop at apoapsis.

  1. Select Transfer () in the MCS.
  2. Click New... () in the Stopping Conditions panel.
  3. Select Apoapsis () in the New Stopping Condition dialog box.
  4. Click OK to close the New Stopping Condition dialog box.
  5. Select Duration in the Stopping Conditions panel.
  6. Click Delete () in the Stopping Conditions toolbar.
  7. Click Apply to accept your changes and to keep the Properties Browser open.

Selecting the results variable

Dependent variables for a differential corrector profile are defined in terms of calculation objects. Use a calculation object for the radius of the orbit, R Mag, to be used as the dependent variable.

  1. Select Transfer () in the MCS.
  2. Click Results... beneath the MCS Tree.
  3. Expand () the Spherical Elems () folder in the Available Components list when the User - Selected Results - Transfer dialog box opens.
  4. Select R Mag ().
  5. Click Insert Component () to move R Mag () to the selected components list.

    6. This will enable you to set the radius of orbit at the end of the Propagate Segment.

  6. Click OK to close the User - Selected Results - Transfer dialog box.

Setting up the differential corrector profile

Set up the differential corrector profile to change the Delta-V Magnitude to achieve a desired radius of orbit.

  1. Select Start_Transfer () in the MCS.
  2. Open the Action drop-down list.
  3. Select Run active profiles.

Selecting run active profiles runs the mission control sequence allowing the active profiles to operate.

Setting the control parameter

Use Delta-V Magnitude as the control parameter (independent variable).

  1. Select Differential Corrector in the Profiles panel.
  2. Click Properties... () in the Profiles toolbar.
  3. Select the Use check box for ImpulsiveMnvr.Pointing.Spherical.Magnitude in the Control Parameters panel when the Differential Corrector dialog box opens.

Setting the equality constraints (Results)

Set R Mag as the equality constraint (dependent variable) with a goal of 42,238 km. Astrogator will use R Mag to determine the required Delta-V magnitude.

  1. Select the Use check box for R_Mag in the Equality Constraints (Results) panel.
  2. Click the Desired Value cell.
  3. Enter 42238 km in the Desired Value cell.

    4. The value that you want to achieve.

  4. Click OK to close the Differential Corrector dialog box.
  5. Save () your scenario.

Running the Entire Mission Control Sequence

With your Target Sequence configured, run the entire Mission Control Sequence.

  1. Click Run Entire Mission Control Sequence () in the MCS toolbar.
  2. When complete, look at the top of the STK application.

    3. You will see a message informing you whether or not running the entire MCS converged or didn't converge.

  3. Look at the StartTransfer.Differential Corrector data dialog box.

    4. This shows you data based on running the active profile.

  4. Close the StartTransfer.Differential Corrector data dialog box.
  5. Bring the 3D Graphics window to the front.

    6. TOI Iterations

    You can see the iterations, the last one placing the satellite at the desired location and altitude.

Designing the synchronized orbit injection (SOI)

Now that the transfer has been analyzed, you will follow a similar process to create the SOI maneuver and circularize the orbit at GEO. At the same time, you will bring the inclination to 2 deg. You will target the inclination slightly above the desired inclination, so that it will drift down to the desired inclination (0 to 1 degree) over time.

Inserting another Target Sequence

Create another Target Sequence to create the SOI and circularize the orbit at GEO.

  1. Return to GEO_Sat's () Properties ().
  2. Right-click on the bottom Return () Segment in the MCS.
  3. Select Insert Before... in the shortcut menu.
  4. Select Target Sequence () in the Segment Selection dialog box.
  5. Click OK to close the Segment Selection dialog box.
  6. Rename Target Sequence () Finish Transfer.

Inserting a Maneuver segment

Insert a Maneuver () segment. You will solve for the X (Velocity) & Y (Normal) components and the Delta-V vector in those references axes needed to achieve a circular orbit at GEO.

  1. Right-click Finish_Transfer () in the MCS.
  2. Select Insert After... in the shortcut menu.
  3. Select Maneuver () in the Segment Selection dialog box.
  4. Click OK to close the Segment Selection dialog box.

    5. The Maneuver () Segment appears below the return () Segment.

  5. Drag and drop the Maneuver () Segment below and nested in Finish_Transfer ().

Updating the Maneuver segment's properties

As before, change the Maneuver segment's name and its color to white.

  1. Right-click on Maneuver () in the MCS.
  2. Select Properties... in the shortcut menu.
  3. Type SOI in the Name field when the Edit Segment dialog box opens.
  4. Open the Color drop-down list.
  5. Select white.
  6. Click OK to close the Edit Segment dialog box.

Inserting a Propagate segment

Insert a Propagate () Segment will be used to determine the stopping condition.

  1. Right-click on SOI () in the MCS.
  2. Select Insert After... in the shortcut menu.
  3. Select Propagate () in the Segment Select dialog box.
  4. Click OK to close the Segment Select dialog box.

Updating the Propagate segment's properties

Edit the Propagate segment's name and color.

  1. Right-click on Propagate () in the MCS.
  2. Select Properties... in the shortcut menu.
  3. Enter Prop 1 Rev in the Name field when the Edit Segment dialog box opens.
  4. Open the Color drop-down list.
  5. Select blue.
  6. Click OK to close the Edit Segment dialog box.
  7. Click Apply to accept your changes and to keep the Properties Browser open.

Setting the engine model

Use the Test Engine model you updated earlier.

  1. Select SOI () in the MCS
  2. Select the Engine tab.
  3. Click the Engine Model ellipsis () in the Propulsion Type panel.
  4. Select Test Engine () in the Select Component dialog box.
  5. Click OK to close the Select Component dialog box.

Selecting the control parameter

Use Thrust Vector as the attitude control setting. Then select the Delta-V vector's Cartesian X (Velocity) and Y (Normal) as the independent variables.

  1. Select the Attitude tab.
  2. Open Attitude Control drop-down list.
  3. Select Thrust Vector.

    4. The thrust vector describes the direction of acceleration applied to a satellite. This direction is opposite to the exhaust of an engine. For example, for a single chemical rocket engine mounted to a satellite, the thrust vector is opposite to the direction of the center of the exhaust plume flames. If the satellite uses more than one engine together in a thruster set, the thrust vector is along the direction of the combined effective acceleration. This direction is determined by calculating the sum of the acceleration vectors of each individual thruster. With this attitude control setting, you specify the Delta-V vector in some reference frame using either Cartesian or spherical components. Astrogator then computes the attitude so that the total thrust vector in the body frame, as specified by the thruster set or engine model, aligns with this vector in the reference axes.

  4. Select the X (Velocity) target ().
  5. Select the Y (Normal) target ().
  6. Click Apply to accept your changes and to keep the Properties Browser open.

Propagating for one day

Update the Prop 1 Rev () Duration Stopping Condition to stop after one day.

  1. Select Prop 1 Rev () in the MCS.
  2. Enter 86400 sec in the Trip field in the Stopping Conditions panel.
  3. Click Apply to accept your change and to keep the Properties Browser open.

Selecting the results variable

Set Eccentricity and Inclination to be used as the equality constraints.

  1. Select Prop 1 Rev () in the MCS.
  2. Click Results... at the bottom of the MCS.
  3. Expand () the Keplerian Elems () folder in the Available Components list when the User - Selected Results - Prop 1 Rev dialog box opens.
  4. Insert () the Eccentricity () component on the selected components list.
  5. Insert () the Inclination () component on the selected components list.
  6. Click OK to close the User - Selected Results - Prop 1 Rev dialog box.

Setting up the differential corrector profile

Set up the differential corrector profile to change the Delta-V Magnitude to achieve a desired radius of orbit.

  1. Select Finish_Transfer () in the MCS.
  2. Open the Action drop-down list.
  3. Select Run active profiles.

Setting the control parameter

Use the Delta-V vector's Cartesian X (Velocity) and Y (Normal) as the Control Parameters (independent variables).

  1. Select Differential Corrector in the Profiles panel.
  2. Click Properties... () in the Profiles toolbar.
  3. Select the Use check box for ImpulsiveMnvr.Pointing.Cartesian.X in the Control Parameters panel when the Differential Corrector dialog box opens.
  4. Select the Use check box for ImpulsiveMnvr.Pointing.Cartesian.Y.

Setting the equality constraints (Results)

Set Eccentricity and Inclination as the Equality Constraints (dependent variables). Target an eccentricity of 0 within a 0.001 tolerance, and a 2 degree inclination within 0.01 degree of tolerance.

  1. Select the Use check box for Eccentricity in the Equality Constraints (Results) panel.
  2. Enter 0.001 in the Tolerance field.

    3. The profile will stop when it achieves a value within this range of the Desired Value.

  3. Select the Use check box for Inclination .
  4. Select the Desired Value cell.
  5. Enter 2 deg in the Desired Value cell.
  6. Enter 0.01 deg in the Tolerance field.
  7. Open the Method drop-down list in the Scaling panel.

    8. The scaling method improves numerical behavior if the enabled parameters have diverse magnitudes.

  8. Select By tolerance.
  9. Click OK to close the Differential Corrector dialog box.
  10. Click Apply to accept your changes and to keep the Properties Browser open.

Running the entire Mission Control Sequence

With your SOI Target Sequence configured, run the entire MCS.

  1. Click Run Entire Mission Control Sequence () in the MCS toolbar.
  2. Look at the Finish Transfer.Differential Corrector: Finished data window.
  3. Close both the Start Transfer.Differential Corrector:Finished and Transfer.Differential Corrector: Finished data windows.
  4. Bring the 3D Graphics window to the front.

    5. SOI Iterations

    You can see the iterations, the last one placing the satellite at the desired eccentricity and inclination.

Removing iterations

Remove the visible iterations in the 3D Graphics window by adding a final Propagate segment.

  1. Return to GEO_Sat's () properties ().
  2. Right-click on the Bottom Return () Segment.
  3. Select Insert Before... in the shortcut menu.
  4. Select Propagate () in the Segment Selection dialog box.
  5. Click OK to close the Segment Selection dialog box.
  6. Click Run Entire Mission Control Sequence () in the MCS toolbar.
  7. Close both the Start Transfer.Differential Corrector: Finished and Transfer.Differential Corrector: Finished data windows.
  8. Bring the 3D Graphics window to the front.

Final Orbit

Generating an MCS Segment Summary report

The MCS Segment Summary report provides run summary data for the currently selected segment in the MCS tree. The summary report gives information on maneuver times, expected Delta-V magnitude, estimated burn duration, estimated fuel usage, and other important data.

  1. Return to GEO_Sat's () Properties ().
  2. Select Start_Transfer () in the MCS.
  3. Click Summary () in the MCS Toolbar.
  4. Look at the data in the report.
  5. When finished, close () the summary report.
  6. Select Finish_Transfer ().
  7. Click Summary () in the MCS Toolbar.
  8. Look at the data in the report.
  9. When finished looking through the report, close any reports, tools and properties you still have open.

Saving your work

Clean up and close out your scenario.

  1. Close any open reports, properties, and the Report & Graph Manager.
  2. Save () your work.

Summary

This was a basic introduction to Astrogator. In this lesson, you did the following:

  • Used a Launch Vehicle object to launch a vehicle that followed an ascent trajectory from a launch point to an orbit insertion point.
  • Inserted a Satellite object, switched the propagator to Astrogator and used a Follow Segment.
    • This allowed the Satellite to follow the Launch Vehicle object, to separate from the Launch Vehicle at the end of its trajectory, and to place the Satellite object into a LEO.
  • Used a Target sequence, a Maneuver segment, and a Propagate segment to place the Satellite orbit into a TOI.
  • Finalized its orbit by creating another Target Sequence that placed the Satellite into a GEO.
  • Used an MCS Segment Summary Report to determine maneuver times, required Delta-V, estimated burn duration, and estimated fuel usage.

On your own

Throughout the tutorial, hyperlinks were provided that pointed to in-depth information of various tools and functions. Now is a good time to go back through this tutorial and view that information. Further Astrogator tutorials can be found HERE.