Project Description: 

Major: BS Aerospace Engineering Company: Emergent Space Technologies, Inc. Mentor: Dave Gaylor Code: 595 - Flight Dynamics Analysis

The ODTBX is composed of two parts: Matlab code and the Java Astrodynamics Toolkit. The concept of “networkbased” modeling will be employed to simplify the creation of arbitrarily complex aggregations of objects, e.g., a multi-spacecraft formation interacting with multiple gravitational bodies with a variety of different interspacecraft and ground-to-space measurement types.

The ODTBX primary analysis functionality will be realized through a set of sequential filter/smoother and batch least-squares commands that incorporate Monte Carlo data simulation, linear covariance analysis, and measurement processing, and plotting capabilities at the “generic” level. To perform a specific analysis, users will assemble truth and design system models, optionally from object-oriented measurement and dynamics class libraries, which are then provided as inputs to the filter commands. Use of class libraries provides the ability to build up arbitrarily complex models through inheritance from simpler ones.

Another key element of the system is the extension of GMSEC middleware-based architecture to domains outside of mission operations and ground systems development and integration. The ODTBX will be designed to “publish and subscribe” to a GMSECcompliant “software bus” enabling standardized exchange of data with other flight dynamics tools.

Contribution:

Richard contributed to the ODTBX by applying his skills in Java programming to assist the staff in astrodynamics engineering to improve the Java Astrodynamics Toolkit. The resulting work would add content and force models to the existing suite of toolkit software capabilities, meaning that the toolkit system would eventually be able to replace antiquated satellite simulation codes. Richard worked on understanding the functionality of the algorithms and force models which allowed him to find ways to match the output of SKT. In addition, he also worked on a Matlab interface, which when completed would allow a more user-friendly access to the functionality of the Java Code. The ultimate resulting code developed from this work, entitled the ODTBX, would then be packaged so that other researchers at NASA and around the world be able to use the toolbox to gain easy access to a high fidelity simulation. This simulation could be used for new system models when they became available, rather than using the originating programmers to record the simulation.