An Automatic Mission Planning and Feasibility Evaluation Algorithm for the Space Shuttle.
Abstract
An automated preliminary mission design and feasibility evaluation algorithm was developed for the orbital phase of a space shuttle mission. The mission design philosophy was based on selecting mission event times and orbital parameters to minimize the orbital plane changes required for mission completion. The feasibility evaluation was performed by simulating the mission trajectories to determine the propellant required for the orbital maneuvers. For demonstration purposes, the algorithm was coded in CDC Fortran 4 Extended and implemented on a CDC Cyber 74 computer system. This implementation used first order Earth oblateness effects for mission planning and a Vinti Earth gravity model for trajectory propagation. Orbital maneuver calculations were performed with either the Vinti model or the simple point mass Earth model (user option).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1974
- Accession Number
- ADA008663
Entities
People
- John R. Pinnel
- Vernon S. Ritchey
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology