// ORBITAL LOGISTICS AND PROPULSION TERM
Patched Conic
A simplified method for calculating long-distance space trajectories by breaking the journey into segments, where each segment assumes the spacecraft is only influenced by one major celestial body at a time.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
The Patched Conic approximation is a simplified method for modeling interplanetary trajectories by dividing the mission into segments, where the spacecraft's motion is governed by a two-body problem relative to the dominant gravitational influence within a sphere of influence, simplifying complex N-body dynamics.
SYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Sphere of influence approximation
- patched conics method
USAGE NOTE
A foundational technique in preliminary mission design for interplanetary and lunar trajectories due to its computational simplicity.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Patched Conic.
JPL is a leading center for robotic exploration of the solar system. Its engineers extensively use and develop astrodynamics techniques, including patched conics, to design the complex interplanetary trajectories for missions like the Mars rovers and Voyager probes.
Developer of FreeFlyer, a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) software application for space mission design and operations. The software is used to model trajectories in multi-body systems, where patched conic approximations are a fundamental method for initial mission analysis.
Ansys develops the Systems Tool Kit (STK), a leading physics-based modeling software for aerospace. Its Astrogator capability allows engineers to design and analyze complex trajectories, including interplanetary and lunar missions, often using patched conics as a core method.
ESA designs and operates scientific missions throughout the solar system. The flight dynamics teams at the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) are responsible for trajectory determination and control, applying principles like patched conics for missions to other planets and celestial bodies.
A company specializing in spacecraft dynamics, navigation, and mission design, particularly for cislunar space. They develop and use sophisticated tools that often build upon the patched conic method to design novel trajectories, such as the one used for NASA's CAPSTONE mission.
A commercial company focused on lunar exploration services. The design of the translunar injection and lunar orbit insertion for their Nova-C landers is a direct application of the patched conic approximation to solve the three-body problem of Earth-Moon travel.
An aerospace company providing launch services and spacecraft. For their interplanetary Photon spacecraft missions to Venus and Mars, Rocket Lab's mission design team utilizes patched conic analysis to plan the complex, multi-body trajectories required to reach their destinations.
A space robotics company developing lunar landers and rovers. Their mission planners use trajectory design software that employs patched conic approximations to chart the course for their spacecraft from Earth orbit to a precise landing site on the Moon.