Category : Science and Education
Archive   : NASM.ZIP
Filename : NASM.DOC

NASM - A DEMONSTRATOR FOR ARTIFICIAL EARTH SATELLITES

NASM provides a collection of tools for input and study of the orbits
of artificial earth satellites.

Functions currently included are:

1 - ENTER CLASICAL ORBITAL ELEMENTS
2 - ENTER ELEMENTS APOGEE/PERIGEE, INCLINATION & RIGHT ASCENSION
3 - SAVE CURRENT ORBITAL ELEMENTS
4 - RECOVER ORBITAL ELEMENTS
5 - DISPLAY GROUND TRACK
6 - DISPLAY 3D ORBIT
7 - DISPLAY STATION ACCESS
8 - CONVERT MEAN MOTION TO SEMI-MAJOR AXIS
9 - CONVERT APOGEE/PERIGEE TO MEAN MOTION, ECCENTRICITY
10 - LIST ORBITAL ELEMENTS
11 - TUNE ORBITAL ELEMENTS SELECTIVELY
12 - DISPLAY GEOSTATIONARY GROUND TRACK
13 - ENTER NEW GROUND STATION COORDINATES

The routines are pretty much self explanatory. Orbital elements can be
modified and the resulting effects on the orbit shape and orientation
observed graphically. Several tools for entering orbits are included to
allow use of data provided in journals. Ephemeris is generated using
two-body theory without perturbations. This should suffice for
petagogical purposes and preliminary analysis.

Orbital element sets are in files "*.SAT". Ground stations locations are
in files "*.STA".

Some included satellites are:
M26 - Space shuttle Mission 26; Discovery orbit
OFFEQ-1 - The recent Israeli satellite orbit
NOAA - A typical NOAA polar meteorological satellite orbit

Some included ground stations are:
DC - Washington, DC (approx)
TEXAS - Somewhere in Texas

Other satellites current, historical, or ficticious can be added; as
can other ground station locations.

File "IMAP0.DAT" is a world map in screen coordinates used for ground
track displays.

If a reference is needed "Fundamentals of Astrodynamics"; Bates et al;
Dover Publications; is fairly straight forward.

Feedback would be appreciated. Direct comments/questions to:

JAMES P. FARRELL
1867 PARK ROAD, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20010
(202) 232-1441