ALR_Sim_tracks — Trajectory Simulator Software to Assist the Search for Favourable Trajectories for the Exploration of the Triple Asteroid 2001-SN263 From the Laser Altimeter Point of View

Abstract

This paper presents a simulator tool, named _ALR_Sim_tracks_, dedicated to the preliminary analysis of trajectories planned for a space mission to explore the surface of celestial bodies using optical sensors, such as a laser altimeter. The software offers a prediction of the coverage results obtainable in a simulated exploration campaign carried out along a selected/simulated trajectory, for the set of target and instrument parameters used (in qualitative and quantitative terms, including 2D/3D visualizations). The software was created to perform an analysis that would allow the identification of favourable trajectories for conducting the intended exploration of the triple asteroid 2001-SN263 during Brazil's first deep space mission (ASTER mission) from the point of view of the Laser Altimeter being designed to fly in this mission, which was named ALR. Because there are few tools described and available for this type of analysis in the literature, and these are generally complex, proprietary and of restricted use, this work aims to help broaden the understanding of the process involved and the access to this type of tool. The paper contains the description of the _ALR_Sim_tracks_ software and everything involved in its operation. The illustrative examples presented in this text involve the exploration of an asteroid from the point of view of a laser altimeter, because this was the initial motivation for creating the simulator. However, other optical instruments with similar operation, used to explore other types of targets (e.g. planets or moons), are also considered when suitable modelling is available.