MGA Planner for KSP

By arolaun

How To Use

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v_∞

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v_∞ (velocity at infinity) is a measure of how fast you are going on a hyperbolic orbit when you are an infinite distance from the central body. In this calculator, I use it to mean the velocity at the SOI edge. The image above provides a conversion from ejection Δv to v_∞.

Acknowledgments

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• The design of the site is inspired by KSPTOT, Krafpy's MGA Planner, and Astrogoth's Kerbal Transfer Illustrator.
• This project uses THREE.js and code from ESA's pykep library.

References:

• Numerous Wikipedia pages, including those on Bairstow's method, hyperbolic trig, and hyperbolic trajectories.
• orbital-mechanics.space for their excellent guide on orbital mechanics
• This StackExchange post
• pykep's source code
• alexmoon's Transfer Window Planner and ens's modification
• Krafpy's MGA Planner
• Arrowstar's KSPTOT
• Astrogoth's Kerbal Transfer Illustrator
• Wilco Oelen's fast quartic solver
• Flocke, N. (2015). Algorithm 954. ACM Transactions on Mathematical Software, 41(4), 1-24. https://doi.org/10.1145/2699468
• Garrido, J. M. (2021). Lambert's problem algorithms: a critical review [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. Universidad Carlos III de Madris. https://raw.githubusercontent.com/jorgepiloto/lamberthub/main/art/thesis_jorge.pdf
• Gavira-Aladro, M., & Bombardelli, C. (2024). Lambert-Free solution of multiple-gravity-assist optimization problem. Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics, 47(9), 1822-1838. https://doi.org/10.2514/1.g007999
• Izzo, D. (2014). Revisiting lambert's problem [PDF]. Celestial Mechanics and Dynamical Astronomy, 121(1), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10569-014-9587-y
• Lantukh, D. V. (2015). Preliminary design of spacecraft trajectories for missions to outer planets and small bodies [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. University of Texas at Austin. http://hdl.handle.net/2152/31341
• Musegaas, P. (2012). Optimization of space trajectories including multiple gravity assists and deep space maneuvers [Unpublished master's thesis]. Delft University of Technology.
• Vasile, M. (2003, February 9). A global approach to optimal space trajectory design [Paper presentation]. 13th AAS/AIAA space flight mechanics meeting, Ponce, Puerto Rico, United States.