This work made vital improvements to a primitive trajectory search algorithm known as NASA Exhaustive Lambert Lattice Search (NELLS). NELLS was created to work hand in hand as an initial guess generator for one of Goddard’s primary preliminary design tools, EMTG, however NELLS currently lacks the capability necessary to design missions as the bodies visited increases.
Trajectory design involving high order (> 5) planetary, moon and small body flybys and rendezvous are exponentially more mathmatically complex than simpler ones. The objectives of this work were:
NELLS is now capable of automating a significant portion of trajectory design, which significantly decreases the time required for engineers to design missions in early phases. The new capability also allows engineers to investigate a much larger portion of the trajectory design space than was possible with the previous versions of NELLS.
More »The purpose of the Goddard Space Flight Center’s Internal Research and Development (IRAD) program is to support new technology development and to address scientific challenges. Each year, Principal Investigators (PIs) submit IRAD proposals and compete for funding for their development projects. Goddard’s IRAD program supports eight Lines of Business: Astrophysics; Communications and Navigation; Cross-Cutting Technology and Capabilities; Earth Science; Heliophysics; Planetary Science; Science Small Satellites Technology; and Suborbital Platforms and Range Services.
Task progress is evaluated twice a year at the Mid-term IRAD review and the end of the year. When the funding period has ended, the PIs compete again for IRAD funding or seek new sources of development and research funding or agree to external partnerships and collaborations. In some cases, when the development work has reached the appropriate Technology Readiness Level (TRL) level, the product is integrated into an actual NASA mission or used to support other government agencies. The technology may also be licensed out to the industry.
The completion of a project does not necessarily indicate that the development work has stopped. The work could potentially continue in the future as a follow-on IRAD; or used in collaboration or partnership with Academia, Industry and other Government Agencies.
If you are interested in partnering with NASA, see the TechPort Partnerships documentation available on the TechPort Help tab. http://techport.nasa.gov/help
More »Organizations Performing Work | Role | Type | Location |
---|---|---|---|
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Lead Organization | NASA Center | Greenbelt, MD |
Co-Funding Partners | Type | Location |
---|---|---|
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign | Academic |
Start: | 2 |
Current: | 2 |
Estimated End: | 6 |