Accession Number:

ADA008663

Title:

An Automatic Mission Planning and Feasibility Evaluation Algorithm for the Space Shuttle.

Descriptive Note:

Master's thesis,

Corporate Author:

AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OHIO SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING

Personal Author(s):

• Ritchey,Vernon S.
• Pinnel,John R.

Report Date:

1974-12-01

Pagination or Media Count:

133.0

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.

Descriptors:

• *SPACE SHUTTLES
• *SPACE MISSIONS
• COMPUTER PROGRAMS
• MATHEMATICAL MODELS
• ALGORITHMS
• ORBITS
• MISSION PROFILES
• THESES
• FORTRAN

Subject Categories:

• Astronautics
• Spacecraft Trajectories and Reentry

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE