Feature-specific Tutorials

These tutorials build on the skills learned in the Beginner tutorials and Advanced tutorials. The licenses needed to complete them are identified inside each tutorial.

The Feature-specific tutorials are designed to take you through some of the more robust features of the Ansys Systems Tool Kit^® (STK^®) digital mission engineering software.

Tutorial	Capabilities	Required License	Required Install
Space Mission Analysis and Design (SMAD)
Orbit Design    Use the STK software's Analyzer capability to perform Parametric and Carpet Plot trade studies to design a circular and an elliptical orbit for a spacecraft.	STK Pro, Analyzer	STK Premium (Space) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro + STK Premium
Solar and Power Design    Use the STK software's Solar Panel tool and the Analysis Workbench capability to model a spacecraft's power generation and consumption data to aid in the design of its electrical power system using Microsoft Excel and a custom model produced using the Ansys Discovery™ 3D product simulation software.	STK Pro, Analysis Workbench, SatPro	STK Premium (Space) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro + STK Premium
Communications Design    Use the STK software's Communications capability to model a complete RF link between a spacecraft and a ground site using custom anenna patterns generated with the Ansys Electronics Desktop (AEDT)™ electronics systems design platform.	STK Pro, Communications	STK Premium (Space) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro + STK Premium
Digital Mission Engineering (DME)
Constellation Design and Coverage    Use the STK software's Analyzer and Coverage capabilities to understand how you can maximize the level of coverage with a global network of satellites.	STK Pro, Coverage, SatPro, Analyzer, Optimizer	STK Premium (Space) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro + STK Premium
Hypersonics and EOIR    Use externally created CFD results to populate the performance model of an aircraft.	STK Pro, Aviator, Aviator Pro, Analysis Workbench, EOIR	STK Premium (Air) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro + STK Premium
Comm Analysis and Antenna Patterns    Use the STK software's Communications capability to build and analyze a communications link.	STK Pro, Communications	STK Premium (Air and Space) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro + STK Premium
Events and Time Components    Use the STK software's Analysis Workbench and Communications capabilities to understand a system of related events.	STK Pro, Communications, Analysis Workbench	STK Premium (Air and Space) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro + STK Premium
STK Pro
Taking Pictures in STK    Learn how to take pictures using STK.	STK Pro	STK Pro, STK Premium (Air or Space), or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Making Movies and Working with STK Models    Learn how to create video output inside STK using STK models.	STK Pro	STK Pro, STK Premium (Air or Space), or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Using Globe Manager in STK    Add and manage terrain, imagery, KML, and ArcGIS files using Globe Manager.	STK Pro	STK Pro, STK Premium (Air or Space), or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Using External Terrain Data     Learn how to use STK Image and Terrain Converters to generate STK visualization files.	STK Pro	STK Pro, STK Premium (Air or Space), or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Using Constellations in Chains     Learn the basics of how to use Chains and Constellations in the STK software.	STK Pro	STK Pro, STK Premium (Air or Space), or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Using the STK AzEl Mask Tool     Create a body mask (BMSK) file using the AzEl Mask tool.	STK Pro	STK Pro, STK Premium (Air or Space), or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Working with Multitrack Objects     Learn how to use Multitrack objects.	STK Pro	STK Pro, STK Premium (Air or Space), or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Creating Color Elevation Imagery and Using Raw Satellite Imagery     Use the Terrain and Imagery Converter to create a color elevation image and convert a raw satellite image to use as an inlay for visualization and situational awareness.	STK Pro	STK Pro, STK Premium (Air or Space), or STK Enterprise	STK Pro

Tutorials grouped by capability

These tutorials cover either specific aspects of certain STK software capabilities or examples of how two or more capabilities can work together.

Tutorial	Capabilities	Required License	Required Install
Analysis Workbench
Using the Calculation Tool     Learn how to use the Calculation tool and the various Calculation objects.	STK Pro, Analysis Workbench	STK Pro, STK Premium (Air or Space), or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Using the Time Tool     Learn how to use the Time tool and the various Time components.	STK Pro, Analysis Workbench	STK Pro, STK Premium (Air or Space), or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Working with Vectors in the Vector Geometry Tool     This is an introduction to the types of vectors used in the STK application for visualization.	STK Pro, Analysis Workbench	STK Pro, STK Premium (Air or Space), or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Determine a Global Positioning System Satellite Eclipse Period     Use Vector Geometry and Calculation tools to determine when a GPS satellite enters an eclipse period.	STK Pro, Analysis Workbench	STK Pro, STK Premium (Air or Space), or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Importing External Data Files Into STK     Learn how to use STK to import external data files.	STK Pro, Analysis Workbench	STK Pro, STK Premium (Air or Space), or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Analyzer
Using Analyzer to Optimize a Satellite Orbit     Learn how to parametrically explore the STK software's design space to optimize your scenario.	STK Pro, Analyzer	STK Premium (Air or Space) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro + STK Premium
Performing Design of Experiments Using Analyzer     Learn how to use the Design of Experiments tool available with the STK software's Analyzer capability to vary two or more parameters in your scenario and observe the impact on the output.	STK Pro, Analyzer, Coverage, Optimizer	STK Premium (Air or Space) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro + STK Premium
Performing Communications Analysis Using Analyzer     Learn how to parametrically explore the STK software's design space to optimize your communications scenario.	STK Pro, Analyzer, Communications, Coverage	STK Premium (Air or Space) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro + STK Premium
Performing Communications Interference Trade Studies Using Analyzer     Learn how to parametrically explore the STK software's design space to analyze your communications interference scenario.	STK Pro, Analyzer, Communications, Coverage	STK Premium (Air or Space) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro + STK Premium
Performing Trade Studies Using Analyzer and Astrogator     Learn how to use the STK software's Analyzer capability with the STK software's Astrogator capability.	STK Pro, Analyzer, Astrogator	STK Premium (Space) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro + STK Premium
Performing Radar Analysis Using Analyzer     Learn how to parametrically explore the STK software's design space to optimize your radar scenario.	STK Pro, Analyzer, Radar	STK Premium (Air or Space) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro + STK Premium
Performing Design of Experiments Using Analyzer and Single Object Coverage     Use the Design of Experiments tool available with the STK software's Analyzer capability to design a satellite constellation which provides persistent two-satellite coverage over a ground site.	STK Pro, Analyzer, Coverage	STK Premium (Air or Space) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro + STK Premium
Performing Aircraft Mission Planning Using Analyzer     You will use the STK software's Analyzer capability to determine how wind will affect an aircraft's fuel consumption for a planned flight route.	STK Pro, Analyzer, Aviator	STK Premium (Air) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro + STK Premium
Analyzer and the Multifunction Radar Object     You will use the STK software's Analyzer capability to examine how various input variables affect a multifunction radar's tracking of an aircraft.	STK Pro, Radar, Analyzer	STK Premium (Air or Space) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro + STK Premium
Satellite Constellation Design with Analyzer     Determine whether a future satellite constellation can cover the land masses and whether adjusting the requirements might lead to better results. Skills Covered: STK Pro, Coverage, Analyzer, Constellations	STK Pro, Coverage, SatPro, Analyzer	STK Premium (Space) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro + STK Premium
Coverage Trade Study in Mountainous Terrain     Determine if two or four hiking observation posts can provide the same visual coverage of a hiking trail. Skills Covered: Coverage, Analyzer, Ground Operations, Terrain & Imagery	STK Pro, Coverage, Analyzer	STK Premium (Air or Space) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro + STK Premium
Astrogator
Hohmann Transfer     Transfer a satellite from a low-Earth parking orbit to an outer circular orbit.	STK Pro, Astrogator	STK Premium (Space) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Hohmann Transfer Using Targeter     Transfer a satellite from a low-Earth parking orbit to an outer circular orbit using a Hohmann transfer with a targeter.	STK Pro, Astrogator	STK Premium (Space) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Fast Transfer Using Targeter     Transfer a satellite from a low-Earth parking orbit to an outer circular orbit using a targeter and minimizing the transfer time.	STK Pro, Astrogator	STK Premium (Space) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Inclination Change Using Targeter     If you need to change your satellite's inclination when you move it to an outer orbit, is it better to do the plane change after the Hohmann transfer or in combination with it? Try both options using a targeter.	STK Pro, Astrogator	STK Premium (Space) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Moon Mission Using B-Plane Targeting     Model a mission to the Moon, including a translunar injection sequence that targets on the lunar b-plane.	STK Pro, Astrogator, SatPro	STK Premium (Space) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Mars Probe     Use a Target Sequence to insert a spacecraft into an orbit about Mars.	STK Pro, Astrogator	STK Premium (Space) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Astrogator LEO Rendezvous and Proximity Operations     Model a mission of a satellite approaching another satellite.	STK Pro, Astrogator	STK Premium (Space) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) Setup     Use Astrogator's prebuilt RPO sequences to model an RPO mission in GEO.	STK Pro, Astrogator, Analysis Workbench	STK Premium (Space) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Set an Initial Guess with the Astrogator Scripting Tool     The Astrogator Scripting Tool enables you to perform your own computations without the need for external tools. Build on the "Hohmann Transfer Using the Targeter" tutorial and apply initial guesses for the magnitudes of the two maneuvers.	STK Pro, Astrogator	STK Premium (Space) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Trajectory Design with SNOPT Optimizer     Learn how to optimize a burn by minimizing the change in velocity required, to minimize the amount of fuel required.	STK Pro, Astrogator	SNOPT + STK Premium (Space) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Introduction to Automatc Sequences     Learn how to raise the apogee and perigee of a satellite using automatic sequences.	STK Pro, Astrogator	STK Premium (Space) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Spiral to GEO Using an Optimal Finite Maneuver     Learn to use Astrogator's low-thrust capability by moving a satellite from a spiral orbit to a GEO orbit.	STK Pro, Astrogator, Analysis Workbench	SNOPT + STK Premium (Space) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Maintaining GEO Slot     Learn how to design and perform station-keeping maneuvers, using Automatic Sequences, to maintain a GEO slot.	STK Pro, Astrogator	STK Premium (Space) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Mission to Sun-Earth L1     Learn how to model a mission to the Sun-Earth L1 point.	STK Pro, Astrogator, Analysis Workbench	STK Premium (Space) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Circular Restricted Three-body Problem (CR3BP) Configuration     Learn how to build custom coordinate systems and central bodies to solve the Earth-Moon Circular Restricted Three-body Problem (CR3BP).	STK Pro, Astrogator, Analysis Workbench	STK Premium (Space) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Astrogator Lambert Profile LEO to GEO     Explore the solution space of transfers from LEO to GEO.	STK Pro, Astrogator	STK Premium (Space) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
State Transition Matrix (STM) Primer     Calculate eigenvalues and eigenvectors using STK, and examine an application of the Lambert Search Profile.	STK Pro, Astrogator, Analysis Workbench	STK Premium (Space) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Finite Maneuvers with Astrogator     Learn how to properly configure a Finite Maneuver segment in order to take into account specific constraints.	STK Pro, Astrogator, Analysis Workbench	STK Premium (Space) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Aviator
Aviator     Define aircraft properties and missions using both STK 3D Object Editing capability and the Aviator interface.	STK Pro, Aviator	STK Premium (Air) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Formation Flyer and Aircraft Refueling with Aviator     Simulate, visualize, and analyze an aircraft airborne refueling mission using Aviator.	STK Pro, Aviator, Aviator Pro	STK Premium (Air) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Using the Aviator Performance Model Wizard and Ephemeris Files     Use the STK application's core capabilities and the Aviator Performance Model Wizard to create an aircraft model and flight profile ephemeris file that can be used across scenarios.	STK Pro, Aviator	STK Premium (Air) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Air Rendezvous Simulation Tool     Use the STK application's core capabilities and the Aviator Pro capability's Air Rendezvous Simulation Tool to model two aircraft flying against each other simultaneously.	STK Pro, Aviator, Aviator Pro, Radar, Integration	STK Premium (Air) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Communications/Radar (Comm)
Introduction to RF Environment, System Noise Temperature and Terrain     Learn how to simulate RF environmental effects, system noise, and terrain line-of-sight barriers in your communications system.	STK Pro, Communications	STK Pro, STK Premium (Air or Space), or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Introduction to Analyzing Digital and Analog Transponders     Use the STK software's Communications capability to model a one‐hop, transcontinental communications link from Vandenberg Air Force Base (AFB) to Eglin Air Force Base via a transponder mounted on a geostationary (GEO) satellite.	STK Pro, Communications	STK Pro, STK Premium (Air or Space), or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Introduction to the Terrain Integrated Rough Earth Model (TIREM)     Learn how to use TIREM for the STK software's Communications capability.	STK Pro, TIREM, Communications	STK Pro, STK Premium (Air or Space), or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Introduction to Modeling Propagation Loss in an Urban Environment     Analyze communications between a patrol vehicle and a command post in a city environment using Urban Propagation.	STK Pro, Communications, Coverage, UProp	STK Pro, STK Premium (Air or Space), or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Introduction to STK Radar     Model an airport surveillance system and then measure the effects of clutter and interference on your system.	STK Pro, Communications	STK Pro, STK Premium (Air or Space), or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
SATCOM in Mountainous Terrain     Learn how to define and analyze detailed communication systems.	STK Pro, Communications	STK Pro, STK Premium (Air or Space), or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Ansys HFSS and STK for Communications and Radar Analysis     Learn how to create custom antenna and radar cross-section (RCS) files to obtain a realistic simulation.	STK Pro, Communications, Radar	STK Pro, STK Premium (Air or Space), or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Introduction to Communications Graphics     This walkthrough introduces you to some of the 2D and 3D graphics capabilities available in the STK software's Communications capability.	STK Pro, Communications	STK Pro, STK Premium (Air or Space), or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Using Communication Constraints to Design Communication Links     Impose communication constraints on a Comm system to see the effects those constraints have on performance.	STK Pro, Communications	STK Pro, STK Premium (Air or Space), or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Introduction to Radio-Frequency Interference Analysis     Introduces the CommSystem object and its setup and use in the analysis of RF interference phenomena.	STK Pro, Communications	STK Pro, STK Premium (Air or Space), or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Using CommSystem Object Link Definitions     Use the STK software's Communications capability to model a CommSystem object and analyze multiple link criteria. You will use link budget results to select the best communications link.	STK Pro, Communications, SatPro	STK Premium (Space) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Evaluate Laser Communication Links     Use the Beer-Bouguer-Lamber Law and the MODTRAN Table Laser Atmospheric Absorption Loss Models to design laser communication links.	STK Pro, Communications	STK Pro, STK Premium (Air or Space), or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Introduction to Multifunction Radar     Model and use multiple beams to scan search zones and track targets using the STK software's Multifunction radar.	STK Pro, Radar	STK Pro, STK Premium (Air or Space), or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Introduction to the STK Synthetic Aperture Radar Capability     Analyze the SAR signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in a target area.	STK Pro, Radar, Coverage	STK Pro, STK Premium (Air or Space), or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Using the Scalable Network Modeling Interface to Analyze Communications Network Performance     Use the Scalable Network Modeling Interface to analyze network performance throughout a mission.	STK Pro, Communications	STK Pro, STK Premium (Air or Space), or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Introduction to RF Channel Modeler for Communications Analysis     Use the RF Channel Modeler to analyze communications for an RF network.	STK Pro, Communications	STK Pro, RF Channel Modeler	STK Pro, RF Channel Modeler
Introduction to RF Channel Modeler for Radar Analysis     Use the RF Channel Modeler to analyze radar imaging for scene.	STK Pro, Radar	STK Pro, RF Channel Modeler	STK Pro, RF Channel Modeler
Coverage
Using Coverage     Learn to use two objects provided by the STK software's Coverage capability — the Coverage Definition object and the Figure of Merit — to define and evaluate the coverage of a region of interest, given available coverage assets.	STK Pro, Coverage	STK Pro, STK Premium (Air or Space), or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Attitude Coverage     Learn how you can apply Attitude Coverage to a common analytical and planning task: determine the best direction in which to point an Earth-based sensing device over a period of time to have access to the maximum number of satellites in a constellation.	STK Pro, Coverage	STK Pro, STK Premium (Air or Space), or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Using Chains with Coverage     Learn how to use Chain objects with the STK software's Coverage cabability while measuring the percentage of the Continental United States that can be observed with direct or indirect satellite connection.	STK Pro, Coverage	STK Pro, STK Premium (Air or Space), or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Coverage Over the Satellite Graveyard     Learn how to use the Coverage Tool wizard to set up computation of coverage over the satellite graveyard in the South Pacific.	STK Pro, Coverage	STK Pro, STK Premium (Air or Space), or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
EOIR
LEO to GEO Space Surveillance with EOIR     Learn how to model an EOIR sensor in the STK application on a LEO satellite to evaluate the total duration of GEO surveillance.	STK Pro, EOIR	STK Premium (Air or Space) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro + STK Premium
Cloud Modeling with EOIR     Learn how to model a geosynchronous weather satellite and determine which weather patterns it can see from orbit.	STK Pro, EOIR	STK Premium (Air or Space) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro + STK Premium
Wildfire Imaging with EOIR     Learn to use EOIR detection, tracking, and imaging performance settings to model wildfire imaging from a satellite's camera.	STK Pro, EOIR	STK Premium (Air or Space) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro + STK Premium
Sensor Calibration and Ground Imaging with EOIR     Learn to create a realistic model of a ground-imaging sensor from reference images.	STK Pro, Analysis Workbench, EOIR	STK Premium (Air or Space) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro + STK Premium
Integration
Using Python Plugin Points     Use the STK software's Python plugin points to specify a python file to be used as a plugin. You will use two installed example scripts to explore this feature.	STK Pro, Analysis Workbench, Integration	STK Pro, STK Premium (Air or Space), or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
SatPro
Basic Satellite Design in STK Using SatPro     Create a group of satellites that provide 24-hour coverage over a location on the ground.	STK Pro, SatPro	STK Premium (Space) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Large Constellation Coverage and Conjunction Consideration     Learn how to build large satellite constellations and use them for Coverage and conjunction analysis.	STK Pro, SatPro, Coverage, Conjunction Analysis, Communications	STK Premium (Space) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Scheduler
Getting Started with Scheduler     Learn how to solve a scheduling problem using the available Scheduler deconfliction and optimization algorithms.	STK Pro, Scheduler	Scheduler + any of STK Pro, STK Premium (Air or Space), or STK Enterprise	STK Pro + STK Scheduler
Space Environment Effects Tool (SEET)
Determine Magnetic Conjugacy with SEET     Determine the local magnetic vector location along the orbit and the times when the spacecraft location is magnetically conjugate to a ground station.	STK Pro, SEET	STK Premium (Space) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Particle Impacts with SEET     Determine the degree of exposure to potentially damaging debris and meteoroid impacts over the course of a mission lifetime.	STK Pro, SEET	STK Premium (Space) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Radiation Environment with SEET     Determine the radiation environmental effects on a satellite using the STK software's SEET capability.	STK Pro, SEET, Coverage, Volumetric Analysis	STK Premium (Space) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Radiation Environment GCR and SEP     Determine the radiation environmental effects on a satellite using the STK software's SEET capability.	STK Pro, SEET	STK Premium (Space) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Ionizing Radiation from the South Atlantic Anomaly (SSA) Using SEET     Determine the amount of exposure to high levels of ionizing proton radiation over the course of a mission lifetime.	STK Pro, SEET	STK Premium (Space) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Mean Satellite Temperature Using SEET     Determine the mean satellite temperature of a space vehicle using the STK software's SEET capability.	STK Pro, SEET	STK Premium (Space) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Computing Radiation Dosages Using SEET and the IRENE Model     Use the STK Space Environment and Effects Tool (SEET) capability and the International Radiation Environment Near Earth (IRENE) computational model to determine the expected dosage rates and accumulated doses due to energetic electron and proton particle fluxes for a range of shielding thicknesses.	STK Pro, SEET	STK Premium (Space) or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
SOLIS
Design an Attitude Profile for a Satellite Mission     Learn how to use the STK software's SOLIS capability to design the Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS), including power, payload, and communication systems modeling for a satellite mission taking pictures of a mock natural disaster that occurred off the coast of Baja California, Mexico.	STK Pro, SOLIS	SOLIS + any of STK Pro, STK Premium (Air or Space), or STK Enterprise	STK Pro + SOLIS
Volumetric Analysis
Using the Spatial Analysis Tool with the Volumetric Object     Introduces the Volumetric object and various spatial components from Analysis Workbench that model the volume of space covered by a spinning sensor subject to various geometric constraints.	STK Pro, Analysis Workbench, Coverage, Volumetric Analysis	STK Pro, STK Premium (Air or Space), or STK Enterprise	STK Pro
Using External Volumetric Data     Converts an H5 file (large data file) from the STK software install to HDF5 type and also properly formats object properties within the HDF5 file. You will follow the steps in the "Using MATLAB to Convert CSV to HDF5" lesson to learn this.	STK Pro, Analysis Workbench, Coverage, Volumetric Analysis	STK Pro, STK Premium (Air or Space), or STK Enterprise	STK Pro