A Cooperative Launch Optimization Technique Using the Flight Design System

An optimization technique has been developed on the Flight Design System (FDS) which examines available target and instrument constraints to determine an optimal target launch time for maximum instrument viewing in a cooperative launch scenario. By definition, a cooperative launch is a coordinated mission between an orbiting viewing instrument and a target which is launched from the ground at a time specified by instrument viewing requirements. The technique is designed to evaluate instrument constraints such as range and slewing rate limitations and analyze them parametrically with the relative target launch time to determine the effect on the instrument viewing period. Using the FDS, this technique can be utilized in a real-time situation by updating the instrument's position and re-evaluating applicable parameters to obtain an updated target launch time.

This paper presents the optimization process along with a simplified example which describes cooperative launch and the types of instrument and target constraints which affect the viewing time.