Moon Mission Using B-Plane Targeting

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.

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 STK Capabilities:

  • STK Pro
  • Astrogator

Problem statement

Engineers want to model a mission to the Moon. They decide to use the method of B-plane Targeting to utilize the gravity assist to achieve the desired orbit. The B-plane is defined to contain the focus of an idealized two-body trajectory that is assumed to be a hyperbola.

Solution

Use STK's Astrogator capability to build a mission to the Moon. Starting from a parking orbit around the Earth, you will perform a trans-lunar injection to target the lunar B-plane. You will adjust the size of the maneuver to perform a lunar orbit insertion (LOI) to achieve a final circular lunar orbit with an inclination of 90 degrees.

This is an advanced Astrogator exercise, which presupposes familiarity with STK and some previous exposure to Astrogator. If you are new to STK, it is recommended that you first work through the STK Beginner training, which gives you a tour of the STK user interface and basic STK functionality. For an entry-level introduction to Astrogator, try the exercise in which you use the targeter to model a Hohmann transfer.

What you will learn

Upon completion of this tutorial, you will be able to:

  • Customize the graphics settings for multiple central bodies.
  • Set a targeter to target on the B-plane.
  • Model a lunar orbit insertion.

Video guidance

Watch the following video. Then follow the steps below, which incorporate the systems and missions you work on (sample inputs provided).

Creating a new scenario

First, you must create a new STK scenario, and then build from there. You will define a scenario with a satellite and three planet objects—Sun, Earth and Moon—set up your 2D Graphics window to give an overview of the mission, and define two 3D Graphics windows providing Earth- and Moon-centered views of the mission.

  1. Launch STK ().
  2. Click Create a Scenario in the Welcome to STK dialog.
  3. Enter the following in the STK: New Scenario Wizard:
    4. Option Value
    Name LunarMission
    Location Default
    Start 1 Jan 2025 00:00:00.00
    Stop + 30 days
  4. Click OK when you finish.
  5. Click Save () when the scenario loads. STK creates a folder with the same name as your scenario for you.
  6. Verify the scenario name and location in the Save As dialog.
  7. Click Save.

Save () often during this lesson!

Preparing the scenario

Make some changes to your work space and the scenario properties.

  1. Close the Timeline View to free up more space for other windows.
  2. Close the 2D Graphics window.
  3. Right-click on LunarMission () in the Object Browser.
  4. Select Properties () in the shortcut menu.
  5. Select the Basic - Time page in the Properties Browser.
  6. Enter 3 min in the Animation - Step Size field.
  7. Click Apply to accept your selection and to keep the Properties Browser open.

Setting 2D and 3D Graphics attributes for space situational awareness

2D Graphics attributes at the scenario and local levels enable you to select what to view and how to view it in the 2D and 3D Graphics windows.

  1. Select the 2D Graphics - Global Attributes page.
  2. Set the following parameters:
    3. Frame Option Value
    Vehicles Show Orbits/ Trajectories On
    Show Orbit Markers On
    All other selections Cleared
    Planets Show Orbits On
    Show Inertial Positions On
    Show Position Labels On
    All other selections Cleared
  3. Click OK to accept your changes and to close the Properties Browser.

Adding the Planet object to the Insert STK Objects Tool

The Planet object isn't displayed in the New Object tool by default. If you have not yet added it to the Select An Object To Be Inserted list, do so now.

  1. Bring the Insert STK Objects tool to the front.
  2. Click Edit Preferences....
  3. Select Planet in the New Object list in the Preferences dialog.
  4. Click OK to accept your selection and to close the Preferences dialog.

Inserting Planet objects into the scenario

The Planet object models orbital and other properties of a planet, a moon, an asteroid or the Sun.

  1. Return to the Insert STK Objects tool.
  2. Select Planet () in the Select An Object To Be Inserted list.
  3. Select Insert Default () in the Select a Method list.
  4. Click Insert... three (3) times.

Defining the planets' central bodies

The properties on the Planet object's Definition page enable you to identify the ephemeris source for each planet.

Adding the Sun to the scenario

Start by adding the Sun to your scenario.

  1. Open Planet1's () Properties ().
  2. Select the Basic - Definition page.
  3. Ensure Sun (the default selection) is the Central Body selection.
  4. Click OK to accept your selection and to close the Properties Browser.

Adding the Earth to the scenario

  1. Open Planet2's () Properties ().
  2. Select the Basic - Definition page.
  3. Open the Central Body dropdown menu.
  4. Select Earth.
  5. Click OK to accept your selection and to close the Properties Browser.

Adding the Moon to the scenario

  1. Open Planet3's () Properties ().
  2. Select the Basic - Definition page.
  3. Open the Central Body dropdown menu.
  4. Select Moon.
  5. Click OK to accept your selection and to close the Properties Browser.

Enabling the ECI Coordinates grid in the 3D Graphics window

For ECI Coordinates, the space grid is displayed along the equatorial plane in the Earth-Centered inertial (ECI) coordinate system.

  1. Bring the 3D Graphics window to the front.
  2. Click Properties () on the 3D Graphics window toolbar.
  3. Select the Grids page in the Properties Browser.
  4. Select Show in the Space Grid - ECI Coordinates frame.

    5. While on this page, you may want to select a relatively muted color for the grid (such as gray or olive green) so that it does not display in a prominent way in the 3D Graphics windows. Otherwise, it may detract from more important objects, such as orbit paths and the B-plane.

  5. Click Apply to accept your change and to keep the Properties Browser open.

Renaming the 3D Graphics window

Rename the 3D Graphics for clarity.

  1. Select the Window Properties page.
  2. Enter Earth-Centered in the Title field.
  3. Click Apply to accept your change and to keep the Properties Browser open.

Setting the maximum visible distance

Specify the maximum viewing distance in meters. The default is 10 million meters.

  1. Select the Advanced page.
  2. Enter 1e+010 km in the Max Visible Distance field in the Viewing frame.
  3. Click OK to accept your changes and to close the Properties Browser.

earth centered

Inserting a duplicate 3D Graphics window

You will insert a duplicate 3D Graphics window and center it on the Moon.

  1. Open the View menu at the top of STK.
  2. Select the Duplicate 3D Graphics Window submenu.
  3. Select Earth-Centered in the Duplicate 3D Graphics Window submenu.

Renaming the 3D Graphics window

Rename the 3D Graphics for clarity.

  1. Bring the 3D Graphics 2 - Earth window to the front.
  2. Click Properties () in the 3D Graphics 2 - Earth window toolbar.
  3. Select the Window Properties page.
  4. Enter Moon-Centered in the Title field.
  5. Click OK to accept your changes and to close the Properties Browser.

Changing the 3D Graphics Window's Central Body

Change the central body of the Moon-Centered window.

  1. Open the Central Body () dropdown menu in the 3D Graphics window toolbar.
  2. Select Moon.

Moon centered

Inserting a Satellite object

The Satellite object models the properties and behavior of a vehicle in orbit around a central body.

  1. Insert a Satellite () object using the Insert Default () method.
  2. Right-click on Satellite1 () in the Object Browser.
  3. Select Rename in the shortcut menu.
  4. Rename Satellite1 () to LunarProbe.

Propagating the Satellite object using Astrogator

The STK Astrogator capability contains specialized analysis for interactive orbit maneuver and spacecraft trajectory design. Astrogator calculates the satellite's ephemeris by running a Mission Control Sequence, or MCS, that you define according to the requirements of your mission.

Astrogator enables you to model impulsive and finite maneuvers as well as high-fidelity orbit propagation. It provides targeting methods, including:

  • A differential corrector used to find the necessary values of control parameters (such as launch epoch or burn duration) to meet desired mission goals.
  • An optimizer used to change control parameters to achieve a goal, while applying a set of constraints that define the problem space.

Furthermore, Astrogator allows you to define automatic sequences. These represent predefined sets of actions that can be performed whenever a specified event occurs, such as a maneuver that occurs at every periapsis. These details highlight just some of Astrogator's many features.

Astrogator also utilizes a component catalog and editor in STK called the Component Browser. The Component Browser enables you to define and customize engine models, force models, propagators, central bodies, atmospheric models, and other elements of a space mission analysis scenario. Also, the Component Browser contains a wide array of calculation objects. All these elements can then be used or adapted in any Astrogator scenario.

  1. Open LunarProbe's () Properties ().
  2. Select the Basic - Orbit page.
  3. Open the Propagator dropdown menu.
  4. Select Astrogator.

Setting 2D and 3D Graphics window properties for space situational awareness

Prior to propagating LunarProbe, set some 2D and 3D Graphics properties to enhance your space situational awareness.

  1. Select the 2D Graphics - Attributes page.
  2. Ensure the Custom Intervals option is selected (default).
  3. Click More... in the Default Attributes row.
  4. Open the Marker Style dropdown menu in the Modify Graphics Interval dialog.
  5. Select the circle.
  6. Click OK to close the Modify Graphics Interval dialog.
  7. Click Apply.

Setting 2D Pass Graphics

2D Pass graphics allow you to graphically display a satellite's ground track, and in some cases, the orbit path. The ground track of a satellite is the portion of the Earth's surface that it covers during its orbit. The orbit path is the actual path that the satellite follows during its orbit.

  1. Select the 2D Graphics - Pass page.
  2. Open the Lead Type dropdown menu in the Leading/Trailing - Ground Track frame.
  3. Select None.
  4. Open the Lead Type dropdown menu Leading/Trailing - Orbit Track frame.
  5. Select All.
  6. Click Apply.

Setting 3D Pass Graphics

When selected, options set in the 2D Pass Graphics are used to display the satellite's pass in the 3D Graphics window. Enable Inherit From 2D Graphics and disable the Lead and Trail Type options.

  1. Select the 3D Graphics - Pass page.
  2. Select Inherit from 2D Graphics in the Leading/Trailing frame.
  3. Click Apply.

Setting the 3D Graphics model detail thresholds

Detail thresholds act as an aid for improving performance when viewing in 3D. Maximizing the Simple Model, Label option sets the maximum viewing distance at which the coarsest detail in the model, label and vectors, attitude sphere, and geostationary box is displayed.

  1. Select the 3D Graphics - Model page.
  2. Drag the Simple Model, Label slider all the way to the right in the Detail Thresholds frame.
  3. Click Apply.

Getting near the Moon with Astrogator

In the following phases of this exercise, you will use Astrogator to:

  • Set up a Mission Control Sequence (MCS).
  • Make a first guess for the trans-lunar injection.
  • Set up the targeter to calculate launch epoch and coast duration.
  • Run the Target Sequence to bring the lunar probe close within the Moon's vicinity.

Setting up MCS segments

MCS segments are the building blocks of an Astrogator space mission. There are two general types of segments: those that generate ephemeris and those that affect the execution of the MCS. These segments can be used interactively, so that ephemeris generated by one segment can cause another segment to change the way in which the MCS continues to run.

  1. Select the Basic - Orbit page.
  2. Select Initial State () in the MCS.
  3. Click Delete Segment () in the MCS toolbar.
  4. Click Yes in the Question dialog to confirm the deletion.
  5. Select Propagate () in the MCS.
  6. Click Delete Segment () in the MCS toolbar.
  7. Click Yes in the Question dialog to confirm the deletion.

Adding a Target Sequence

Use a Target Sequence as a structural element to define maneuvers and propagations in terms of the goals they are intended to achieve.

  1. Right-click on the Return Segment () in the MCS.
  2. Select Insert Before... in the shortcut menu.
  3. Select Target Sequence () in the Segment Selection dialog.
  4. Click OK to accept your selection and to close the Segment Selection dialog.
  5. Right-click on Target Sequence () in the MCS.
  6. Select Rename in the shortcut menu.
  7. Rename Target Sequence () to First Guess.

Adding a Launch segment

Use the Launch segment to model a simple spacecraft launch from Earth or another central body.

  1. Right-click on the Return segment () right below the First Guess ().
  2. Select Insert Before... in the shortcut menu.
  3. Select Launch () in the Segment Selection dialog.
  4. Click OK to accept your selection and to close the Segment Selection dialog.

Adding a Propagate segment

Use the Propagate segment to model the movement of the spacecraft along its current trajectory until meeting specified stopping conditions.

  1. Right-click on the Return segment () right below the Launch () segment.
  2. Select Insert Before... in the shortcut menu.
  3. Select Propagate () in the Segment Selection dialog.
  4. Click OK to accept your selection and to close the Segment Selection dialog.

Adding a Maneuver segment

Use a Maneuver segment to model an Impulsive, Finite, or Optimal Finite maneuver.

  1. Right-click on the Return segment () right below the Propagate () segment.
  2. Select Insert Before... in the shortcut menu.
  3. Select Maneuver () in the Segment Selection dialog.
  4. Click OK to accept your selection and to close the Segment Selection dialog.

Adding two more Propagate segments

Two (2) additional Maneuver segments are required.

  1. Right-click on Maneuver () in the MCS.
  2. Select Insert After... in the shortcut menu.
  3. Select Propagate () in the Segment Selection dialog.
  4. Click OK to accept your selection and to close the Segment Selection dialog.
  5. Right-click on Propagate1 () in the MCS.
  6. Select Propagate () in the Segment Selection dialog.
  7. Click OK to accept your selection and to close the Segment Selection dialog.

Updating the Launch segment epoch

Specify the date and time of the launch.

  1. Select Launch () in the MCS.
  2. Select the Launch tab.
  3. Enter 1 Jan 2025 00:00:00.000 UTCG in the Epoch field.

Updating the first Propagate segment's properties

  1. Select Propagate () in the MCS.
  2. Click Segment Properties () in the MCS toolbar.
  3. Enter Coast in the Name field in the Edit Segment dialog.
  4. Open the Color dropdown menu.
  5. Select a color different from Launch ().

    6. In selecting a color for this and other MCS segments, make sure that the color you choose will show up well on the 2D and 3D backgrounds.

  6. Click OK to accept your changes and to close the Edit Segment dialog.

Setting Coast's Trip value

The current stopping condition for Coast is duration. Specify the trip value at which the condition will be satisfied.

  1. Enter 90 min (5400 sec) in the Trip field which is about one orbit.
  2. Click Apply.

Updating the Maneuver segment's properties

  1. Select Maneuver () in the MCS.
  2. Click Segment Properties () in the MCS toolbar.
  3. Enter TransLunarInjection in the Name field in the Edit Segment dialog.
  4. Open the Color dropdown menu.
  5. Select white.
  6. Click OK to accept your changes and to close the Edit Segment dialog.

Changing TransLunarInjection's attitude control

The Maneuver segment defaults to an Impulsive maneuver type. Impulsive maneuvers use brief firings of onboard rocket motors that change the magnitude and direction of the velocity vector instantaneously. The Attitude Control field enables you to select the mode in which the maneuver pointing direction is prescribed. Using the Thrust Vector attitude control setting, you specify the Delta-V vector in some reference frame using either Cartesian or spherical components.

  1. Select TransLunarInjection () in the MCS.
  2. Verify that the Maneuver Type is Impulsive.
  3. Select the Attitude tab.
  4. Open the Attitude Control dropdown menu.
  5. Select Thrust Vector.
  6. Enter 3120 m/sec in the X (Velocity) field as a first guess value.
  7. Click Apply.

Updating the second Propagate segment's properties

  1. Select Propagate1 () in the MCS.
  2. Click Segment Properties () in the MCS toolbar.
  3. Enter ToSwingBy in the Name field in the Edit Segment dialog.
  4. Open the Color dropdown menu.
  5. Select a color different from Launch () and Coast ().
  6. Click OK to accept your changes and to close the Edit Segment dialog.

Updating ToSwingBy's propagator component

A propagator component comprises a numerical integrator and a set of propagator functions. You will use Cislunar (between the Earth and the Moon).

  1. Select ToSwingBy () in the MCS.
  2. Click the Propagator ellipsis ().
  3. Select Cislunar () in the Select Propagator dialog.
  4. Click OK to accept your selection and to close the Select Propagator dialog.
  5. Click Apply.

Creating a new stopping condition for ToSwingBy

You will use the R Magnitude stopping condition to stop at a specified distance from the origin.

  1. Click New... () in the Stopping Conditions toolbar.
  2. Select R Magnitude () in the New Stopping Condition dialog.
  3. Click OK to accept your selection and to close the New Stopping Condition dialog.
  4. Enter 300000 km in the Trip field.
  5. Select the Duration stopping condition.
  6. Click Delete () in the Stopping Conditions toolbar.

Updating the last Propagate segment's properties

  1. Select Propagate2 () in the MCS.
  2. Click Segment Properties () in the MCS toolbar.
  3. Enter ToPeriselene in the Name field in the Edit Segment dialog.
  4. Open the Color dropdown menu.
  5. Select a color different from Launch (), Coast () and ToSwingBy ().
  6. Click OK to accept your changes and to close the Edit Segment dialog.

Updating ToPeriselene's propagator component

  1. Select ToPeriselene () in the MCS.
  2. Click the Propagator ellipsis ().
  3. Select Cislunar () in the Select Propagator dialog.
  4. Click OK to accept your selection and to close the Select Propagator dialog.
  5. Click Apply.

Updating and creating multiple stopping conditions for ToPeriselene

You will use three (3) stopping conditions: duration, altitude and periapsis.

  1. Select the Duration stopping condition.
  2. Enter 10 day in the Trip field.
  3. Click New... () in the Stopping Conditions toolbar.
  4. Select Altitude () in the New Stopping Condition dialog.
  5. Click OK to accept your selection and to close the New Stopping Condition dialog.
  6. Enter 0 km in the Trip field.
  7. Click the Central Body ellipsis ().
  8. Select Moon () in the Select CentralBody dialog.
  9. Click OK to accept your selection and to close the CentralBody dialog.
  10. Click New... () in the Stopping Conditions toolbar.
  11. Select Periapsis () in the New Stopping Condition dialog.
  12. Click OK to accept your selection and to close the CentralBody dialog.
  13. Click the Central Body ellipsis ().
  14. Select Moon () in the Select CentralBody dialog.
  15. Click OK to accept your selection and to close the CentralBody dialog.
  16. Click Apply.

Configuring MCS segment propagators

In the MCS toolbar, you can click the Configure MCS Segment Propagators icon () to view and adjust the propagator and integrator settings for each segment. When you click the icon, the Configure MCS Propagators dialog appears, enabling you to set parameters.

  1. Click Configure MCS Segment Propagators () in the MCS toolbar.

    2. If you are using STK 12.8, you can click Configure MCS Segment Propagators in the properties page.

  2. Ensure First_Guess Coast and First_Guess TransLunarInjection are using the Earth_HPOP_Default_v10 propagator in the Configure MCS Propagators dialog.
  3. Ensure First_Guess ToSwingBy and First_Guess ToPeriselene are using the Cislunar propagator.
  4. Click OKto close the Configure MCS Propagators dialog.

Performing a first guess at a trans-lunar injection

You are now ready to perform an impulsive maneuver that will send the lunar probe near the Moon. This trajectory is a good first guess to use in running Target Sequence to calculate the correct launch time and the correct coast time in the parking orbit.

  1. Click Run Entire Mission Control Sequence () in the MCS toolbar.
  2. Bring the Earth-Centered window to the front.
  3. Adjust your view so that you can see the Earth, Moon and LunarProbe.

    4. Trans Lunar Injection First Guess

  4. Click Start () in the Animation toolbar to animate the scenario.
  5. Watch as LunarProbe () approaches the vicinity of the Moon.
  6. Click Reset () when finished.

    7. The trans-lunar injection is not that close. Use a control parameter.

Setting up control parameters to calculate launch and coast times

You need to target the Moon. To achieve that, you will use the launch epoch and the coast time as control parameters. Astrogator will calculate new values that meet a set of constraints. You will use Delta Right Asc and Delta Declination as constraints. The constraints are the targeted differences in the right ascension and declination angles between the spacecraft and the selected central body with respect to its parent body.

  1. Return to LunarProbe's () Properties ().
  2. Select Launch () in the MCS.
  3. Click the Epoch target ().
  4. Select Coast () in the MCS.
  5. Click the Trip target ().

Selecting ToPeriselene's results

Use the multi-component select window to select and define your result.

  1. Select ToPeriselene () in the MCS.
  2. Click Results... .
  3. Expand () MultiBody () in the Available Components list in the User-Selected Results - ToPeriselene dialog.
  4. Select Delta Right Asc ().
  5. Move () Delta Right Asc () to the selected component list.
  6. Select Delta Declination ().
  7. Move () Delta Declination () to the selected component list.
  8. Verify that the Moon is the CentralBody for both components in the Component Details list.
  9. Click OK to accept your selections and to close the User-Selected Results - ToPeriselene dialog.

Setting First Guess' Differential Corrector

The 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.

  1. Select First Guess () in the MCS.
  2. Click Differential Corrector in the Name field of the Profiles frame.
  3. Rename Differential Corrector to Delta RA.
  4. Click Properties... () in the Profiles toolbar.

You can also double-click on the Differential Corrector to open its properties.

Selecting Delta RA's Control Parameters

Any element of a nested MCS segment or linked component that you can use as an independent variable is marked by a target icon () which you selected earlier.

  1. Select Launch.Epoch - Use in the Control Parameters frame of the Delta RA dialog.
  2. Enter 1 min in the Perturbation field.
  3. Enter 1 hr in the Max. Step field.
  4. Select StoppingConditions.Duration.TripValue - Use.
  5. Enter 5 min in the Max. Step field.

Selecting Delta RA's Equality Constraints (Results)

These are results you selected earlier.

  1. Select Delta-Declination - Use in the Equality Constraints (Results) frame.
  2. Select Delta_Right_Asc - Use.
  3. Keep Desired Value at 0 deg for both.

Setting Delta RA's convergence criteria

Use the Convergence tab to specify convergence criteria and related parameters for the profile. You will set the maximum number of iterations your desire in your analysis. This property defines the maximum number of evaluations that the profile will execute. If the profile does not reach the Desired Value, it will stop after the last iteration. The iteration count includes steps taken while searching for bounds as well as bisection iterations.

  1. Select the Convergence tab.
  2. Enter 100 in the Maximum Iterations field.
  3. Click OK to accept your changes and to close the Delta RA dialog.
  4. Click Apply.

Rerunning the First Guess Target Sequence

By default, the Action field of the Target Sequence is set to Run nominal sequence. If you run the MCS, the values you have set for the various segments (e.g. 90 min Duration for the Coast segment) will be used. Here, instead, you will let the Target Sequence calculate new values to help achieve your goal of reaching the Moon.

  1. Select First Guess () in the MCS.
  2. Open the Action dropdown menu.
  3. Select Run active profiles.
  4. Click Run Entire Mission Control Sequence () in the MCS toolbar.

The Target Sequence will run through several iterations and, after a short time, will converge on a solution that meets your constraints within the specified tolerances. The Target Sequence dialog will indicate the number of iterations that were required and, again, the differences (now small enough to be acceptable) between the achieved and desired values for the constraints. It will also show the new values calculated for the control variables (launch epoch and coast time).

Viewing the iterations in the Moon-Centered window

  1. Bring the Moon-Centered window to the front.
  2. Right-click on Moon () in the Object Browser.
  3. Select Zoom To in the shortcut menu.
  4. Select Moon-Centered in the second shortcut menu.
  5. Use your mouse so that you can see the iterations and the final solution of LunarProbe () reaching the Moon.

Trans lunar injection: moon targeted

Understanding B-plane targeting

The B-plane is a planar coordinate system that allows targeting during a gravity assist. You can think of it as a target attached to the assisting body. The B-plane is defined to contain the focus of an idealized two-body trajectory that is assumed to be a hyperbola. Also, it must be perpendicular to the incoming asymptote of that hyperbola. The incoming and outgoing asymptotes, and the focus are contained in the trajectory plane, which is perpendicular to the B-plane:

B-plane targeting

Creating a B-plane template

  1. Select LunarProbe () in the object browser.
  2. Open the Satellite menu at the top of STK.
  3. Select B-Plane Template... in the shortcut menu.
  4. Click Add in the B-Plane Template dialog.
  5. Open the Central Body dropdown menu.
  6. Select Moon.
  7. Click OK to accept your selection and to close the B-Plane Template dialog.

Visualizing the B-plane

You can add the B-plane for visualization, enabling you to see what the target sequence is trying to achieve.

  1. Return to LunarProbe's () Properties ().
  2. Select the 3D Graphics - B-Plane page.
  3. Click Add....
  4. Open the Event Epoch dropdown menu.
  5. Select Time Component in the dropdown menu.
  6. Select LunarProbe () in the object list when the Select Time Instance dialog.
  7. Expand () MCSEphemerisSegments () in the Time Instants for: LunarProbe list.
  8. Expand () First_Guess_ToPeriselne ().
  9. Select Stop ().
  10. Click OK to accept your selection and to close the Select Time Instance dialog.
  11. Click OK to close the Add B-Plane dialog.
  12. Enter 0 km in the B*T field in the Target Point frame.
  13. Enter 5000 km in the B*R field.
  14. Select the Basic - Orbit page.
  15. Click Clear Graphics () in the MCS toolbar.
  16. Click Apply to accept your changes and to keep the Properties Browser open.

Setting up the Moon-Centered view

  1. Bring the Moon-Centered window to the front.
  2. Use your mouse to set up your view so that it looks similar to the following image:

B-plane reference with vectors

Targeting the B-plane

Assume that you want to capture the Moon in an orbit with a 90-degree inclination.

  1. Return to LunarProbe's () Properties ().
  2. Select First Guess () in the MCS.
  3. Select Delta RA in the Profiles frame.
  4. Click Duplicate () in the Profiles toolbar.
  5. Rename the new profile to B-Plane Targeting.
  6. Select ToPeriselene () in the MCS.
  7. Click Results... .
  8. Expand () MultiBody () in the Available Components list in the User-Selected Results - ToPerisele dialog.
  9. Move () BDotR () to the selected components list.
  10. Move () BDotT () to the selected components list.
  11. Click OK to accept your selections and to close the User-Selected Results - ToPerisele dialog.

Setting up the B-Plane targeting profile

  1. Select First Guess () in the MCS.
  2. Select B-Plane Targeting in the Profiles frame.
  3. Click Properties... () in the Profiles toolbar.
  4. Verify that the two Control Parameters remain checked in the B-Plane Targeting dialog.
  5. Clear Use for the following in the Equality Constraints (Results) list:
    • Delta_Declination
    • Delta_Right_Asc
  6. Select Use for the following in the Equality Constraints (Results) list:
    • BDotR
    • BDotT
  7. Select BDotR.
  8. Enter 5000 km in the Desired Value field.
  9. Click OK to accept your selection and to close the B-Plane Targeting dialog.

    10. BDotT is targeted to 0 km and BDotR is targeted to a non-zero value to generate a polar orbit. BDotR is targeted to 5000 km to avoid having the orbit intersect the Moon, which has a radius of approximately 1738 km.

Running the Target Sequence to achieve B-plane parameters

  1. Select First Guess () in the MCS.
  2. Click Run Entire Mission Control Sequence () in the MCS toolbar.
  3. In the Target Sequence dialog, note that targeting has converged and that new values have been calculated for the control variables

It is important to remember that the B vector ends at the point where the asymptote pierces the plane, not where the trajectory does. Think of the asymptote as the trajectory that the spacecraft would follow if the central body had no gravity. As a result, the trajectory is always closer to the central body than the B vector, as is the case in the illustration above.

Approaching the Moon

You have reached periselene, but unless you perform some kind of maneuver, the spacecraft will swing by the Moon. Before you add the lunar orbital insertion sequence, observe the effects of the Moon's gravity field.

  1. Bring LunarProbe's () Properties () to the front.
  2. Right-click on the last (bottom) Return segment () in the MCS.
  3. Select Insert Before... in the shortcut menu.
  4. Select Propagate () in the Segment Selection dialog.
  5. Click OK to accept your selection and to close the Segment Selection dialog.
  6. Select Propagate () in the MCS.
  7. Click Segment Properties () in the MCS toolbar.
  8. Enter Prop3Days in the Name field in the Edit Segment dialog.
  9. Open the Color dropdown menu.
  10. Select a color that contrasts with those of the other Propagate segments.
  11. Click OK to accept your selections and to close the Edit Segment dialog.

Changing Prop3Days' parameters

  1. Select Prop3Days () in the MCS.
  2. Click the Propagator ellipsis ().
  3. Select Moon HPOP Default v10 () in the Select Propagator dialog.
  4. Click OK to accept your selection and to close the Select Propagator dialog.
  5. Enter 3 day in the Trip field.
  6. Click Apply.
  7. Click Run Entire Mission Control Sequence () in the MCS toolbar.
  8. Bring LunarProbe's () Properties () to the front.
  9. Click Clear Graphics () in the MCS toolbar.
  10. Click Apply.

Visualizing the LunarProbe swinging by the Moon

  1. Bring the Moon-Centered window to the front.
  2. Set your view so that you can see LunarProbe () swing by the Moon.

LunarProbe swings past the Moon

Creating a new Target Sequence to achieve LOI

  1. Return to LunarProbe's () Properties ().
  2. Right-click on Prop3Days () in the MCS.
  3. Select Insert Before... in the shortcut menu.
  4. Select Target Sequence () in the Segment Select dialog.
  5. Click OK to accept your selection and to close the Segment Select dialog.
  6. Drag Prop3Days () to nest it in Target Sequence ().
  7. Right-click on Target Sequence () in the MCS.
  8. Select Rename in the shortcut menu.
  9. Rename Target Sequence () to Lunar Orbit Insertion.
  10. Right-click on Prop3Days () in the MCS.
  11. Select Insert Before... in the shortcut menu.
  12. Select Maneuver () in the Segment Selection dialog.
  13. Click OK to accept your selection and to close the Segment Select dialog.

Updating the Maneuver segment properties

You will now perform an impulsive maneuver to capture the Moon in a circular orbit.

  1. Right-click Maneuver () in the MCS.
  2. Select Properties... in the shortcut menu.
  3. Enter LOI in the Name field of the Edit Segment dialog.
  4. Open the Color dropdown menu.
  5. Select white.
  6. Click OK to accept your changes and to close the Edit Segment dialog.

Updating LOI's parameters

  1. Select the LOI () in the MCS.
  2. Select the Attitude tab.
  3. Open the Attitude Control dropdown menu.
  4. Select Thrust Vector in the shortcut menu.
  5. Click the Thrust Axes ellipsis ().
  6. Select Satellite in the object list in the Select Reference dialog.
  7. Select VNC(Moon) () in the Templates for Satellite list.
  8. Click OK to accept your selection and to close the Select Reference dialog.
  9. Select the X(Velocity) target () to set the control variable.
  10. Click Apply.

    11. You will need to do a burn in a direction opposite to Moon-centered velocity to slow down and capture into a lunar orbit.

Setting LOI's results

  1. Select the LOI () in the MCS.
  2. Click Results... .
  3. Expand () Keplerian Elements () in the User-Selected Results - LOI dialog.
  4. Move () Eccentricity () to the selected components list.
  5. Double-click CentralBody in the Component Details list.
  6. Select Moon () in the Component Selection dialog.
  7. Click OK to accept your selection and to close the Component Selection dialog.
  8. Click OK to close the User-Selected Results - LOI dialog.

Setting up Lunar Orbit Insertion's Differential Corrector

  1. Select Lunar Orbit Insertion () in the MCS.
  2. Select Differential Corrector in the Profiles frame.
  3. Click Properties... () in the Profiles toolbar.
  4. Select Use - ImpulsiveMnvr.Pointing.Cartesian.X in the Control Parameters frame in the Differential Corrector dialog.
  5. Select Use - Eccentricity in the Equality Constraints (Results) frame.
  6. Leave the Desired Value for Eccentricity at 0, since you want to circularize the orbit.
  7. Click OK to accept your changes and to close the Differential Corrector dialog.

Running the entire mission control sequence

  1. Open the Action dropdown menu.
  2. Select Run active profiles.
  3. Click Run Entire Mission Control Sequence () in the MCS toolbar.

    4. When the targeter converges, the Target Sequence dialog will indicate that a near-zero value for eccentricity has been achieved.

  4. Bring LunarProbe's () Properties () to the front.
  5. Click Clear Graphics () in the MCS toolbar.
  6. Click Apply.

Visualizing LunarProbe entering a Moon orbit.

  1. Bring the Moon-Centered 3D Graphics Window to the front.
  2. Set your view so that you can see LunarProbe () entering a circular orbit around the Moon.

LunarProbe orbiting the moon

Creating a summary report

You can also confirm the value of eccentricity and other targeted orbital elements by running a Summary report.

  1. Bring LunarProbe's () Properties () back to the front.
  2. Select LOI () in the MCS.
  3. Click Segment Properties () in the MCS toolbar.
  4. Click the Coord. System ellipsis () in the Edit Segment dialog.
  5. Select Moon () in the object list in the Select Reference dialog.
  6. Select Inertial () in the Systems for: Moon list.
  7. Click OK to accept your selection and to close the Select Reference dialog.
  8. Click OK to close the Edit Segment dialog.
  9. Click Apply.
  10. Click Summary () in the MCS toolbar.
  11. Study the report.

    12. Among other things, you will find that the targeted values for eccentricity (0) were achieved within tolerance.

Saving your work

  1. Close any open reports, properties and tools.
  2. Save () your work.

Summary

In this exercise, you explored a mission to the Moon using the B-plane targeting method. After setting up the scenario, running the MCS, and using a trans-lunar injection first guess, you ran the B-plane targeting tool and set up the targeter to approach the Moon. This calculated the launch epoch and coast duration. Finally, after completing a lunar orbit insertion, the satellite finally entered a circular orbit around the Moon.