FreeFlyer is a commercial off-the-shelf software application for satellite mission analysis, design, and operations. Its architecture revolves around its native scripting language, known as FreeForm Script. As a mission planning tool, it encompasses several capabilities, including precise orbit modeling, 2D and 3D visualization, sensor modeling, maneuver modeling, maneuver estimation, plotting, orbit determination, tracking data simulation, and space environment modeling.
FreeFlyer implements standard astrodynamics models such as the JGM-2, EGM-96, and LP-165 gravity potential models; atmospheric density models like Jacchia-Roberts, Harris-Priester, and NRL-MSIS; the International Reference Ionosphere model; and the International Geomagnetic Reference Field magnetic field model.
Background
FreeFlyer is owned and developed by a.i. solutions, Inc. and is utilized by
NASA,
NOAA, and the
USAF for space mission operations, mission assurance, and analysis support.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
Below is a basic FreeFlyer script that creates and displays a spacecraft:
// Create a spacecraft objectSpacecraft sc1;
// Create a ViewWindow, passing sc1 as part of an array of objects to view ViewWindow vw({sc1});
// Propagate and view the spacecraft for two daysWhile (sc1.ElapsedTime < TimeSpan.FromDays(2));
sc1.Step();
vw.Update();
End;
^Matusow, Carla; Wiegand, Robert (1999). Automated Flight Dynamics Product Generation for the EOS AM-1 Spacecraft. Spacecraft Ground Control and Data Systems (SCD 2).
CiteSeerX10.1.1.119.5197.