// ORBITAL LOGISTICS AND PROPULSION TERM
Mission Planning
The process of defining the goals, objectives, and detailed steps required to successfully execute a space mission. It involves designing trajectories, allocating resources, and scheduling activities.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
Mission Planning involves the strategic and tactical definition of mission objectives, trajectory design, resource allocation, timeline generation, and contingency planning for space missions, integrating spacecraft capabilities with scientific or commercial goals.
BACKGROUND
The Artemis program is a human spaceflight program by the United States. The Artemis program is intended to reestablish a human presence on the Moon for the first time since Apollo 17 in 1972; mid-term objectives include establishing an international expedition team, and a sustainable human presence on the Moon. Long-term objectives for Artemis are laying the foundations for the extraction of lunar resources, and eventually making crewed missions to Mars and beyond feasible.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Mission Design
- Flight Planning
- Operations Planning
- Campaign Planning
USAGE NOTE
Effective Mission Planning is crucial for optimizing resource utilization and achieving mission success.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Mission Planning.
As a leading space agency, NASA develops and utilizes advanced mission planning technologies for all its space exploration, scientific research, and human spaceflight missions, encompassing trajectory design, resource management, communication scheduling, and risk assessment for complex endeavors like Artemis, Mars rovers, and the International Space Station.
ESA plays a crucial role in European space activities, developing sophisticated mission planning tools and methodologies for its diverse portfolio of scientific, Earth observation, telecommunication, and human spaceflight missions, including orbital mechanics, ground segment integration, and operational strategies.
SpaceX develops its own mission planning software and systems for its launch operations, satellite constellation deployments (Starlink), and deep space missions (e.g., Mars colonization efforts), focusing on trajectory optimization, reusable rocket recovery, and large-scale constellation management.
Ansys, through its acquisition of Analytical Graphics, Inc. (AGI), develops the industry-standard Systems Tool Kit (STK) and other simulation software widely used for mission planning, analysis, and operations across government, defense, and commercial space sectors for everything from satellite design to constellation management and collision avoidance.
A major aerospace and defense contractor, Lockheed Martin develops and integrates advanced mission planning capabilities for its wide range of space systems, including satellites, interplanetary probes, and missile defense systems, focusing on operational efficiency, survivability, and mission success.
Northrop Grumman provides advanced mission planning and execution systems for various national security and civil space missions, including satellite operations, launch services, and strategic space systems, integrating capabilities for navigation, communication, and intelligence gathering.
As a leading global aerospace company, Airbus Defence and Space develops mission planning solutions for its Earth observation, telecommunication, navigation, and scientific satellites, as well as space exploration programs, focusing on optimized orbital maneuvers, data acquisition, and operational continuity.
Maxar Technologies specializes in Earth intelligence and space infrastructure. They develop mission planning technologies crucial for managing their constellation of high-resolution Earth imaging satellites, optimizing collection strategies, tasking, and data downlink for intelligence, government, and commercial customers.