Using MatLab Develop a simulation using Newtonian mechanics to predict the fligh

Question

Using MatLab

Develop a simulation using Newtonian mechanics to predict the flight of spacecraft slingshotting around a single planet. For your simulation you may assume the planet is not moving. You should develop and an array of times, and positions for your spacecraft. Assume constant acceleration for each time step. Use the following initial conditions to get you simulation running. Here are a set of initial conditions to help get your simulation running %m-3/(kg %kg s^2)) GRAVITY 6.67408e-11; MASS-EARTH: 5.972e24; X POS EARTH0 Y POS EARTH -1e8; 0; %m 1000; 1000; SAT %m X-POS-ZERO Y-POS ZERO X SAT- %m/s %m/s | VEL-ZERO-SAT Y VEL-ZERO-SAT = nsteps 1000; TIME-STEP = 60; %s satPos zeros (nsteps, 2); satVeL zeros (nSteps,2) time zeros (nSteps,1);

Explanation / Answer

The Gravity Assist Simulator takes you through a series of simulated collisions to show how the New Horizon and Messenger spacecraft will use planned collisions to extend their missions.

Part 1 of Gravity Assist simulates a familiar kind of collision—between a ping-pong ball and a wall. Observing the motion of the ball in four different situations—with a non-moving wall and with a wall moving in various directions—will help you understand the next three parts, which simulate collisions between spacecraft and planets.

Part 2 shows an idealized collision between a stationary planet and an approaching spacecraft. (It is "idealized" because there is no such thing as a stationary planet!) This gives you a visual introduction to the type of collision NASA is interested in.

Parts 3 and 4 simulate the planned collisions that will "slingshot" New Horizons deeper into space, and slow Messenger in preparation for a safe orbit around Mercury.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse U
• Subjects

---