FreeFlyer

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FreeFlyer

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.

Quick Facts Developer(s), Stable release ...
FreeFlyer
Developer(s)a.i. solutions, Inc.
Stable release
7.9.1 / September 2024
Operating systemWindows, Linux
Platformx86, x86-64
TypeTechnical computing
LicenseProprietary commercial software
Websiteai-solutions.com/freeflyer/
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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]

Operational and analysis support

FreeFlyer has been used to support many spacecraft missions, for mission planning analysis, operational analysis, or both. Specific mission examples include the International Space Station (ISS),[7] the JSpOC Mission System,[8] the Earth Observing System,[9][10] Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO),[11] and Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission (MMS).[12]

FreeFlyer has also been successfully used to conduct analysis in both the high-performance computing (HPC) and service-oriented architecture (SOA) environments.[13][14]

Software tiers

Summarize
Perspective

FreeFlyer is one stand-alone product with two tiers of rising functionality.

More information Engineer, Mission ...
Engineer Mission
The Engineer tier includes:
  • Scripting language and IDE
  • 2D and 3D visualizations with customizable layouts
  • Multiple spacecraft and hardware modeling including sensors, antennas, tanks, thrusters, and solar arrays
  • Coverage analysis including sensors, antennas, ground stations, and other spacecraft
  • Impulsive and finite maneuver modeling, including targeting system
  • Spacecraft attitude modeling including attitude matrix, quaternions, Euler angles, RA/DEC, spin rates, and attitude history files
  • Sensor and antenna modeling, including custom patterns and obscuration masking
  • Maneuver modeling, including finite burns and support for chemical and electrical (low-thrust) propulsion systems
  • Coverage analysis, including visibility and access calculations
  • Added coordinate system types including custom/user-defined systems
  • MATLAB Interface[15]
  • Automation of flight dynamics tasks
  • Monte Carlo analysis
  • Collision Avoidance/Conjunction Analysis
  • Formation Flying
  • Mission Plan performance profiling
The Mission tier includes all Engineer functionality, as well as:
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FreeFlyer scripting

FreeFlyer contains an object-oriented scripting language and an accompanying integrated development environment.

Below is a basic FreeFlyer script that creates and displays a spacecraft:

// Create a spacecraft object
Spacecraft 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 days
While (sc1.ElapsedTime < TimeSpan.FromDays(2));
    sc1.Step();
    vw.Update();
End;

References

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