Astrogator

The STK/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.

The Astrogator capability 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, the Astrogator capability enables 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 capability's many features.

The Astrogator capability also utilizes a component catalog and editor in the Ansys STK^® application 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.