Mission Design and Trajectory Skill

Purpose

Enable comprehensive space mission design and trajectory analysis including orbital mechanics, launch window optimization, and maneuver planning.

Capabilities

• Orbital mechanics calculations
• Launch window analysis
• Delta-V budgeting and optimization
• Transfer trajectory design
• Maneuver planning and sequencing
• Rendezvous and proximity operations
• Entry, descent, and landing analysis
• STK and GMAT integration

Usage Guidelines

• Define clear mission objectives and constraints
• Optimize trajectories for propellant mass or time of flight
• Consider launch vehicle performance and constraints
• Account for perturbations in trajectory propagation
• Plan contingency maneuvers for off-nominal conditions
• Document trajectory design assumptions and margins

Dependencies

• STK (Systems Tool Kit)
• GMAT
• MATLAB Aerospace Toolbox

Process Integration

• AE-014: Mission Design and Analysis