List of planned code features

[DominicDirkx]

We'll be using this issue to create a living page where a list of code features, which are not yet in Tudat, but which we would like to have, will be kept (in no particular order!). If you would like to add any features, please post in this issue:

Numerical Methods

• Dense output for numerical integrators
• Flexible error control interface for numerical integrators
• Flexible initialization for ABM integrator
• Variable-order for Bulirsch Stoer integrator
• Implementation of Everthart's RA15 integrator
• Interface to Boost ODEINT library

Acceleration/Torque Models

• Radiation pressure from a panel model
• Indirect and direct radiation pressure model for sub-solar objects
• Implement a 'scaled' gravitational acceleration model for N-body interactions
• Acceleration model derived directly from a user-define space-time metric
• Full two-body problem gravitational interaction acceleration
• Full two-body problem gravitational interaction torque
• Electromagnetic forces
• Electromagnetic torques
• Yarkovsky acceleration
• Poynting-Robertson Drag
• YORP torque

Environment Models

• Models for ocean tide/pole tide/ocean pole tide Earth deformation
• Models for ocean tide/pole tide/ocean pole tide gravity field variations
• Full IERS 2010 conventions for solid body tide deformation
• Full IERS 2010 conventions for solid body tide gravity field variation
• Electric/magnetic field models for bodies

Propagation Options

• Include the possibility for events in the propagation, with:
  • Trigger conditions (time, dependent variable values, custom checker)
  • Event definition (thrust initialization, impulsive thrust, change in dynamical model, change in vehicle/environment settings etc.)
  • Instructions on how to continue after event (continue propagation, restart propagation with different settings, jump ahead/backwards)
• Multi-arc/hybrid-arc functionality through JSON interface
• Numerical Propagation of proper time rates
• Automatic covariance propagation
• Regularized propagators (e.g. DROMO)
• SGP4 propagator for TLEs
• Incorporation of option for GCRS <-> BCRS (and equivalent for other planetary bodies) coordinate transformation when retrieving body states.

Estimation Options

• Estimation functionality through JSON interface
• Models for observable corrections (tropospheric, ionospheric) for radiometric observables
• Interface for arc-wise drag coefficient estimation
• Flexible interface for observable reference point on spacecraft (e.g. static and pointable antennas)
• Addition of accelerometer observables in orbit determination
• Implementation of constrained multi-arc state estimation
• Utilities for applying Kaula constraint to gravity field estimation
• Interface for ground station meteorological conditions

Overall code feature/architecture

• Linking the TrajectoryDesign to the numerical propagation: generate a patched conic orbit, and use numerical integration to compute the 'real' transfer orbit, along with required Delta V for corrections
• Modify interfaces to return Eigen::Vector/Eigen::Matrix by reference (in cases where this is not yet done, older code in particular)
• Link filter code library to the orbit determination functionality.
• Periodic orbit module for CR3BP
• Automatic conversion between CR3BP dynamics and 'real' dynamics (including Delta V requirements)
• Automatic conversion between patched conics model and 'real' dynamics (including Delta V requirements)
• Use of sparse matrices for normal equations and associated code
• Pass prediction for ground stations
• Incorporation of option for GCRS <-> BCRS (and equivalent for other planetary bodies) coordinate transformation when retrieving body states.

[JuliusWeinmiller]

• Add geodesic distance calculator (for sphere, great circle distance via spherical law of cosines and for ellipsoid the vincenty formula)

[ViktorJordanov]

• Look into the use of a propagated body as the ephemeris origin of another body

[SebastianVillamil]

• Add a python interface