Satellite Maneuver Evaluation Tool

Abstract

When first introduced to orbital mechanics, students often experience difficulty in visualizing a satellite's actual path through space. The Satellite Maneuver Evaluation Tool (SMET) seeks to alleviate that problem. SMET is a three-dimensional color graphics simulation of satellites in flight. It allows a student to interactively modify a satellite's orbital parameters and see the effects as the satellites' positions are updated continuously with respect to time. The user can change parameters by defining a maneuver or by directly entering a change through keyboard or dial inputs. SMET offers the user the capability to demonstrate difficult concepts, as well as a method to simulate actual satellite maneuvers. Instructors can videotape SMET sessions for classroom demonstrations. Instantaneous images can also be saved for redisplay or for printout. This thesis provides a background on the mathematical formulas modeled by SMET. It also includes a detailed user's guide for SMET.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 1990
Accession Number
ADA232016

Entities

People

  • Carlos I. Noriega

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Apogees
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Computer Programs
  • Computer Science
  • Computers
  • Coordinate Systems
  • Geometry
  • Graphics
  • Mechanics
  • Orbital Mechanics
  • Orbits
  • Simulations
  • Space Systems
  • Spacecraft
  • Three Dimensional
  • Two Dimensional
  • Video Recording

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics.
  • Geospatial Intelligence and Artificial Intelligence Analytics
  • Military Training and Readiness Simulation

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Satellites
  • Space - Spacecraft Maneuvers