STK Helps NASA's Chandra Explore the Universe - AGI

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epresentation of the satellite and surrounding environment,including real-time dynamic display of satelliteposition and altitude display for operations. STK/Commperforms communications analysis such as link margins tocompare real-time performance with predicted values.STK/PRO is also used to calculate many different types ofmission data, including ground-station visibility andeclipse-time calculations.The MathWorks’MATLAB® interfaces with STK to generatereports such as percent occultation, angle of the sunto the array, and angle of Earth to the back side of the arrayfor power analyses. STK/PRO’s High Precision OrbitPropagator (HPOP) generates external ephemeris files thatare exported to MATLAB tools for additional processingand analysis.The Benefits of COTSMany organizations can no longer afford to developmission-specific software in-house. Commercial satellitesoftware that can be used for multiple missions is playinga growing, cost-saving role in enabling successful andeconomical space activities. Commercial off-the-shelf(COTS) software, such as STK, that is stable, accurate,and well-supported is key in all phases of a satellite’slife—from pre-launch analyses to ground support duringoperations through graveyarding.“We could see and determine so many things with STK thatwe couldn’t conceptualize with just the numbers,” explainsShropshire. “If we were to develop these kinds of tools, itwould take years and millions of dollars. Why reinvent thewheel?” Shropshire says a good example of that came whenNASA-Select television broadcast an STK simulation ofone of the burns, which was a shining moment for the team.COTS software has also proven that it has the technicaldepth and diversity of capabilities to handle risky situationswhere new ground is broken. This increasing reliance onCOTS solutions demands better and more robust productsthat can address a wide variety of analysis and planningneeds. Users are looking for an economical solution that istechnically accurate and easy to use. STK is that COTSsolution for tens of thousands of aerospace professionals.Mission planning lead Dan Shropshire discusses using STK inattitude maneuvers with operations personnel Paul Levit, left, andKen Gage.‘‘The fact that the Chandra teamchose STK for so many aspectsof this historic mission showsthe versatility and trustedprecision of the software.”Joe MurphySTK Product ManagerAnalytical Graphics, Inc.STK/Advanced VO attitude sphere and vectors provide visual cuesfor Chandra system engineers as they plan attitude maneuvers.www.stk.com
AGI Donates Softwareto Students to PromoteChandra MissionIn addition to working with the Chandra mission team,AGI also helped astronomy students at the Stephen WhiteMiddle School of Carson, CA, better understand the missionand actually become part of it. By supplying theschool with STK software through its EducationalAlliance Program, AGI gave students in the eighth gradethe opportunity to run the same simulations and scenariosthat were being implemented at NASA.Started five years ago by science teacher Wayne Johnson,the astronomy class attended the Chandra launch at CapeCanaveral, FL, on July 23, 1999. The group was able to doso through funding by sponsors British Petroleum/ARCOand Southwest Airlines.According to Johnson, the teenagers took AGI’s software andwent light years, educationally. Earlier in 1999, the classentered a science fair where one judge was a lieutenant generalin the U.S. Air Force. “He asked them questions aboutSTK and how they had used it to develop their project,” saysJohnson. “He couldn’t believe their answers and was amazedthat they had mastered it and understood the terminology.”Paul Graziani, AGI President and CEO, shares Johnson’senthusiasm. “The energy and excitement that thesestudents have for the space program underscores why AGIsupports academia,” says Graziani. “By giving youngpeople access to aerospace analysis and visualizationsoftware like STK, we are giving them an opportunity togain a deeper insight into space. For us, the prospect ofcontributing to the future of the industry is exciting.”Says Johnson, “Companies such as AGI allow educators tostart training the next generation of aerospace professionals atan early age. AGI should be applauded for the resources it hasused to support our program and others like it across thenation.” Over the years, AGI has donated in excess of $325million worth of commercial software through its EducationalAlliance Program. The Stephen White Middle School hasreceived software with a value of more than $300,000.Wayne Johnson’s astronomy studentsat the Stephen White Middle Schoolof Carson, CA, used STK software torun the scenarios used by NASA inthe Chandra mission.‘‘Companies such as AGI alloweducators to start training the nextgeneration of aerospaceprofessionals at an early age.”Wayne JohnsonStephen White Middle Schoolwww.stk.com
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STK Helps NASA's Chandra Explore the Universe - AGI

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