Call for Mathematician/Programmer

[joertexas]

I need someone who knows how to plot or graph orbits to assist with creating launch window timetables, delta vee usage, and travel times for the Dirty Dozen mission.

Please reply here, or to my email: joertexas at sbcglobal dot net

JR

[Phenix]

I need someone who knows how to plot or graph orbits to assist with creating launch window timetables, delta vee usage, and travel times for the Dirty Dozen mission.

Please reply here, or to my email: joertexas at sbcglobal dot net

JR

Joe,
Did you get in touch from a PM with someone beside the professor of the University of Texas ?

[joertexas]

Joe,
Did you get in touch from a PM with someone beside the professor of the University of Texas ?

Nope. Still no volunteers to help with either GMAT or other methods of plotting trajectories. Maybe I should email that high school kid who just won a $100K prize for her work with trajectories...

JR

[RaresH]

Excuse my lack of experience in this, but does GMAT not have the capability to plot orbits provided the target body and ship data is entered?

[joertexas]

Excuse my lack of experience in this, but does GMAT not have the capability to plot orbits provided the target body and ship data is entered?

The commands available within GMAT can create plots, yes. The trick is to create the correct scripts to get the desired output, and that is, frankly, over my head.

JR

[joertexas]

The commands available within GMAT can create plots, yes. The trick is to create the correct scripts to get the desired output, and that is, frankly, over my head.

JR

Just bumping this thread to the top of the queue - I still need help with GMAT, Orbiter or any other program that can plot trajectories and/or create porkchop plots...

JR

[Sam Fraser]

Hi JR. Frustrating with no help, isn't it? I wish I could help. I've downloaded Orbiter and tried to use it but it's a bit beyond me - at least in the limited amount of time I have to try and get a handle on it. I presume you've already tried looking or posting on some related forums? I found these on Google:

http://gmat.ed-pages.com/forum/index.php
http://orbiter-forum.com/

[joertexas]

Hi JR. Frustrating with no help, isn't it? I wish I could help. I've downloaded Orbiter and tried to use it but it's a bit beyond me - at least in the limited amount of time I have to try and get a handle on it. I presume you've already tried looking or posting on some related forums? I found these on Google:

http://gmat.ed-pages.com/forum/index.php
http://orbiter-forum.com/

Yes, I've looked in both of these forums, but it's a bit like telling someone who can't use a file to turn something on a lathe ;)

I simply don't have the background to really understand what I'm doing. I am fairly confident about my estimates, but I'd really like to have solid numbers to work with before I try to tweak the spacecraft designs.

Perhaps I should just go with the estimates and hope that there isn't a major error someplace...

JR

[asteroid-wildcat]

Joe,

I have downloaded and installed GMAT. I have to keep my full-time job so I will not be able to devote a lot of time to it but I think I can help you out.

I'll keep you posted on progress. Which of the "Dirty Dozen" do you want to go after most? I'll start with that one. May use 99942 Apophis just to get started. I do not like the idea of a big rock like Apophis getting that close to Earth in 2029.

[joertexas]

Joe,

I have downloaded and installed GMAT. I have to keep my full-time job so I will not be able to devote a lot of time to it but I think I can help you out.

I'll keep you posted on progress. Which of the "Dirty Dozen" do you want to go after most? I'll start with that one. May use 99942 Apophis just to get started. I do not like the idea of a big rock like Apophis getting that close to Earth in 2029.

My favorite target so far is 2001 US16. It's big enough, and much closer (I think) than Apophis. I'd also like a heliocentric orbit plotted for about halfway between Earth and Mars for the unmanned probe carrier. I have the estimates for the spacecraft if you need that data.

JR

[asteroid-wildcat]

Joe,

I'm going to need a lot of information about the mission. Not right away. The GMAT simulation software is very powerful and flexible. I understand the jest of it but it is going to take time. I’m impressed with this bit of code and the possibilities. There will be a lot of information needed to program a sequence for a mission like the dozen.

I now know how Ad Astra did their cool simulation...
http://www.adastrarocket.com/aarc/LunarCargo
See the bottom of the page.

I need to get additional data for asteroids. The software is also BETA and does not play nicely with Windows Vista – I think I can work that out.
I tried registering as a GMAT user to get more support but did not get a response via email as advertised. Typical site stuff – I was likely tagged as SPAM due to gmail account. Will try again.

Bottom line – With some effort and a little learning I should be able to get something VERY useful out of GMAT work, however someone should check ANYTHING I generate. There are way too many variables in the input. I will need a QC review. We will also likely need course corrections built into the mission – something to think about as we move forward.

[joertexas]

Joe,

I'm going to need a lot of information about the mission. Not right away. The GMAT simulation software is very powerful and flexible. I understand the jest of it but it is going to take time. I’m impressed with this bit of code and the possibilities. There will be a lot of information needed to program a sequence for a mission like the dozen.

I now know how Ad Astra did their cool simulation...
http://www.adastrarocket.com/aarc/LunarCargo
See the bottom of the page.

I need to get additional data for asteroids. The software is also BETA and does not play nicely with Windows Vista – I think I can work that out.
I tried registering as a GMAT user to get more support but did not get a response via email as advertised. Typical site stuff – I was likely tagged as SPAM due to gmail account. Will try again.

Bottom line – With some effort and a little learning I should be able to get something VERY useful out of GMAT work, however someone should check ANYTHING I generate. There are way too many variables in the input. I will need a QC review. We will also likely need course corrections built into the mission – something to think about as we move forward.

I talked with one of the GMAT team members. Turns out that this version of GMAT doesn't properly handle asteroid orbits. If you put one in, it gives you a truly fascinating plot. The next version does handle them, but it's not been released yet.

However, I haven't tried a heliocentric orbit with a spacecraft, mostly because I don't understand the program well enough to reliably get the frames of reference right. If it doesn't work, I wouldn't really know why.

I've also contacted a professor at our state university, and he is willing to work with me as his schedule permits. So, that may be the crosscheck we need to verify the data you generate.

Just so you know, my background is in aviation as a pilot and aircraft mechanic, with a side of air traffic control. I've postulated a spacecraft design based on calculations I do understand, and by following existing design information.

JR

[asteroid-wildcat]

Joe,

I have failed thus far to get anything useful out of GMAT. My system is Windows Vista x64. The programmers are not up to Vista yet. Let alone 64 bit OS. The programmers may get there with the next release of the software but I’m not holding my breath.

I did run across this which would be very beneficial to get GMAT running on a Windows XP machine.

http://gmat.ed-pages.com/wiki/tiki-index.php?page=Building+on+Windows

The instructions are detailed and very informative but I do not have the time to continue on this route.

I’m currently battling a virus and/or malware infection on the Windows XP machine. The situation will likely end up as a format and reload.

It looks like it will not matter right now because PERMANENT is on a track to the Moon currently.

I agree with the current direction to the Moon. We need to establish the infrastructure for further missions first. The Moon (Now that we know it has water) should be first.

Cheers,
Jim

[moonus111]

well I have a suggestion.

Call a few universities and try to get the request published in the campus newspaper, or at least something like this. Gives both people a benefit, he can add it to his/her resume and we get an ally.

just a suggestion.