I Calculate Voyager trajectory using JPL data

AI Thread Summary
An animated simulation of the solar system has been developed using JPL data, focusing on gravitational perturbations and relativistic effects. The next step involves calculating the trajectories of Voyager 1 and 2 and mapping them onto the simulation. The challenge lies in replicating the thrust maneuvers used during the missions. A proposed method is to calculate the trajectories based solely on gravitational effects and initial conditions, then compare these with JPL data to identify any discrepancies that indicate thrust events. This approach includes using specific dates to assess spacecraft positions and velocities, determining if thrust was applied based on their relative motion.
Strides
Messages
23
Reaction score
1
Hey everyone,

I've recently programmed an animated simulation of the main elements (core planets and Sun) of our solar system: by using the initial coordinates from the JPL database, and then calculating the combined gravitational perturbations and the relativistic effects from the Sun.

However I would now like to calculate the trajectories for both Voyager 1 & 2, and then map them onto my simulation. I can easily replicate the gravitational calculations used for the planets and the Sun, but I'm afraid I'm struggling to find, or figure out how to replicate the various thrusts used throughout the voyagers' mission.

Current thought: Calculate voyagers trajectory purely using gravitational effects and initial position/velocity, and then compare calculated data with JPL data, taking into account error, to calculate any unnatural changes in velocity (i.e. thrusts).

Any thoughts, insights or advice would be much appreciated, thank-you.
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
Get Horizons position and velocity for any 2 dates and place in simulation. Let's use June 1 and July 1 for example.
Import June 1 data. Integrate to July 1, and import July 1 data. You now have 2 spacecraft in your sim. Are the spacecraft in the same place traveling at the same speed? If so, then no thrust was applied during this time period. If they differ, integrate backwards until they make their closest approach to each other. That will give you the date of the burn. The difference in velocity at this point will tell you the delta v.
 
Is a homemade radio telescope realistic? There seems to be a confluence of multiple technologies that makes the situation better than when I was a wee lad: software-defined radio (SDR), the easy availability of satellite dishes, surveillance drives, and fast CPUs. Let's take a step back - it is trivial to see the sun in radio. An old analog TV, a set of "rabbit ears" antenna, and you're good to go. Point the antenna at the sun (i.e. the ears are perpendicular to it) and there is...
3I/ATLAS, also known as C/2025 N1 (ATLAS) and formerly designated as A11pl3Z, is an iinterstellar comet. It was discovered by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) station at Río Hurtado, Chile on 1 July 2025. Note: it was mentioned (as A11pl3Z) by DaveE in a new member's introductory thread. https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/brian-cox-lead-me-here.1081670/post-7274146 https://earthsky.org/space/new-interstellar-object-candidate-heading-toward-the-sun-a11pl3z/ One...
Back
Top