TransX TransX planning - IMFD burning : how to burn in IMFD a transX plan ?

potjoe

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Hi everyone ! I've been a long time reader of this wonderful forum, where I learned almost everything about orbiter. But now, with my little orbinaut experience, I'm stuck with something and it pushes me to write my first message.

I'm trying to do a powered slingshot of Venus, in an Earth-Venus-Mars trip. As I've learned here and there, IMFD (still working on it) isn't efficient in terms of slingshot planning. Though I've already found a window using guess and check in TransX. But here comes a few questions : I don't manage to export my data's from my 'plan" to IMFD, and I really don't understand how to interprate transX plan for each step, in order to use IMFD like a DSKY P30 flight computer :thumbup: and set up the delta velocity program according to transX values. Maybe I'm not reading the correct values, or I missed something.

For instance : on the ground, I would have like to use IMFD to launch, since you can check in real time your Ein. Using the target intercept program, tgt Venus, set Tej and time of encounter according to the transX plan, I have different Rinc and Ein values transX escape plan window and surface launch program.

Again, once in orbit : I've tried to copy the data from the transX escape plan to IMFD in order to do the ejection burn. I've read on the forum many methods, but any of them seem to be working : Copy the total delta-v from the escape plan to the Dvf value in delta velocity program, then set the Tej. according to Time to Pe. from transX. Once burned, I'm off from 15 degrees in S. Maj axis diff. I've also tried to copy each value from the eject plan (prograde, Ch. Plane, outward) to Dvf, dvp and dvf, setting up the Tin to the time to Pe. I beautifully scratched in the Pacific, as IMFD burned straight into the planet.

Last but not least, using the target-intercept program, i finally get on my way to Venus : when i started to plan a MCC, IMFD slingshot program (coupled with Target intercept) gave me 13k Dv to correct my trajectory and perform the sling (and i had to change the Tin at mars from 2 months...)

I've seen on the forum many messages about a combined use of these tools, but I can't find out how to export to IMFD the slingshot attitude. There are tutorials about one or the other, but I didn't find one that described a simultaneous use of IMFD and transX. May anyone help me deal with it ?

Thank you all for your help, have a good weekend.:tiphat:

Potjoe

Edit : adding the scenario file with TransX plan
 

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BrianJ

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Hello :hello:
I can't help much with your main question of transfering TransX flyby data into IMFD, but I thought it worth mentioning that when transfering burn dV parameters between TransX<->IMFD (e.g. Forward, Outward, Pl.Change) you need to invert the sign +/- of the Outward and Pl.Change values. I think that's correct.
Cheers,
Brian
 

Marijn

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I beautifully scratched in the Pacific, as IMFD burned straight into the planet.

I think this may happen when the Tej is big. I got into the habit of not hitting the AB button before passing the node just before the burn, usually a quarter orbit or so. If your Tej was bigger at the time of pressing the AB button, you can try pressing the AB at a later time to see if that makes a difference.
 

potjoe

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Hi :)

Thanks for your replies !

@BrianJ Ok I didn't notice that transX is giving for instance an outward velocity, whereas IMFD'Dvi stands for inward. But still, the problem is that in TransX escape plan, you only have a positive prograde dv. If you look at the eject plan (step 2) of the scenario, you'll see that the prograde velocity is negative. I assume that the difference is relative to the reference body used at each steps of the plan : in escape plan, you have a positive prograde Dv relative to earth in order to eject the shjp, but this means that relative to the sun (in the eject plan) you're slowing down, correct me if I'm wrong. I'll give it a try setting the delta velocity program reference to sun and try to input the eject plan variables (inverted or not) instead of the escape plan Delta v value. But still, I cannot use this program correctly combined with the map program, because I don't know the attitude of the slingshot from the transX plan (Inclination and PeD). So even if I set up these variables, I would not be able to "check" with the map program that I'm ejecting/targeting/approaching Venus on a good trajectory.

@bcbarnes Yes I've already seen many times both his beginner guide, the trip to Mars you're mentioning and his tutorial with Dimitri (dgatsoulis) about IMFD. I've performed several trip to Mars using these MFDs and making them working together. But David Courtney's video don't describe a slingshot, it's a Earth Mars trip. As I've said, my problem is specifically the combined use of transX and IMFD while performing a slingshot.

---------- Post added at 10:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:56 PM ----------

If your Tej was bigger at the time of pressing the AB button, you can try pressing the AB at a later time to see if that makes a difference.

Thanks for sharing ! We would have done a great Mission Control work you and me :cheers: I think my mistake is somewhere else, each time I tried I really waited the last moment before activating the autopilot, like 300 seconds before Tej or so... And since it was a huge deltav maneuver, I also divided it into two burns : one orbit before Tej, apply some Dv to reduce the total amount while checking that your Pe MJD is matching with your plan ejection time. Thus it's a good way to cut in two smaller burns a huge one.
 

Marijn

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Let's try break it down a bit. The trouble begins with the ejection burn to Venus, right?

What does IMFD's map program look like when you set up this burn in a 2nd MFD slaved to the DV program? It should give you an accurate visual representation of the trajectory. If the trajectory (in blue) doesn't look right, I can imagine the MCC will be expensive.

To use IMFD's map program for this, it's advised to set the following values in IMFD's config file:
LegSize 1
LegsPerFrame 64
AdapTol 4
DateFormat 0
 

potjoe

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Sorry for this, I tried to give you the most accurate information.
I already configured IMFD with these parameters.

For the eject burn here is how I proceed : taking note of the Delta v value in transX escape plan, I start Delta velocity program. Here I input as Tej the T. To Pe indicated in TransX, and the Delta v in Dvf field. I can see correctly my trajectory in the map program once shared, but 1) the Pe MJD is far off the value of transX, and 2) once performed, the trajectory shown in transX escape plan with the green line is really off the planed trajectory in yellow. Obviously, it will take me to Venus but not with the good attitude, not with the good PeD, and at the wrong date. Am I proceeding correctly for the moment ?
 

Marijn

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In this thread, some odd behavior of IMFD regarding the ejection burn is discussed. Perhaps it contains a hint for your problem: https://www.orbiter-forum.com/showthread.php?t=39984&page=2

To be sure this odd behavior is not your problem, find a real or online stopwatch and time the burn. Check whether an IMFD second has the same duration as a real second. You may be surprised.

To deal with this, set up te burn (using off-axis), quit orbiter, resume the current scenario and do the burn. Check te DV values before burning to see they didn't change upon resuming.

I can see correctly my trajectory in the map program once shared, but 1) the Pe MJD is far off the value of transX, and 2) once performed, the trajectory shown in transX escape plan with the green line is really off the planed trajectory in yellow

2 is probably the result of not solving 1. As long as IMFD Map program tells you something is not right, something is not right. That includes the time of arrival PeT. There is no point proceeding if this value is not what it should be.
 

Tommy

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Here I input as Tej the T. To Pe indicated in TransX, and the Delta v in Dvf field.




I suspect the problem is here. Tej = Time to Ejection, while T to Pe is the time to Periapsis. This is only true if the ejection point exactly the same as the periapsis of your current parking orbit, which is likely not the not be the case. Set Tej in IMFD to equal the time until burn shown in Trans-X.
 

potjoe

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Hi everyone ! Sorry for my absence, I was abroad last week and I have not had time for orbiter. Thanks for your really helpful answers :thumbup: I have done a few tests yesterday with your advice in mind.

To deal with this, set up te burn (using off-axis), quit orbiter, resume the current scenario and do the burn. Check te DV values before burning to see they didn't change upon resuming.

I've done the check you mentionned... what a huge gap :blink: With this method I was able to minimize the error margin. So this part is ok.

Set Tej in IMFD to equal the time until burn shown in Trans-X.

Thanks ! At the beginning I tried Tex's method to 1) reduce the total time of burn (divide it in two) 2) reduce the amount of Dv needed for plane alignment 3) Be sure that PeT and Begin burn are matching. But this is definitely, in my opinion, a loss of time. Finally, I used the traditional method : use Begin burn value to match IMFD TEj.

AAANnnnndd finally, the "first part" (ejection burn) was successful. :cheers:

But... Here come the troubles. Even if I manage to set up the burn and eject correctly according to TransX plan, things will move a lot during the trip to Venus. And even if TransX tells me that I'm right on plan, IMFD's Map program seems to disagree. In this thread, you briefly explained the method Tommy :

You can plan a slingshot in TransX, then perform it in IMFD (to take advantage of the auto-burn and IMFD Map's greater accuracy). You will need to know the TEj (when you leave the first planet), the "swing-by date" (TIn for the first leg, also the TEj for the second leg), and the swing-by altitude (used in Planet Approach when you near the "sling" planet).

But precisely : how can I take advantage of IMFD's Map program if I don't know the correct values for PeD, Pe MJD, Rin, etc.... ? This is really what is confusing for me and I don't understand what you had in mind. How to set up one ejection burn which will take me to Venus with almost no MCCs, matching the TransX plan even if its inaccuracy may tell me i'm not on the good trajectory ? :rolleyes:

To conclude, here are some screenshots after a MCC illustrating my lack of understanding. In this situation : R.inc is at 0 and Pe/ratio is at 1 so everything looks good.

eeaqYz.png


QWguYa.png


Thanks everyone for your help. If I manage to understand this, I'll try to make a full tutorial of a combined use of TransX and IMFD while performing slingshots, I think it might be useful. :tiphat:
 
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Marijn

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Can you post your scenario? Maybe it's an idea to fetch a Earth-Venus-Mars trajectory from Nasa's trajectory browser. It would give you some reference.

---------- Post added at 08:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:50 PM ----------

I had look, but there is no trajectory with route EVM in the database it seems.
 

potjoe

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The scenario is attached to the first post ! Actually the TransX plan I set up corresponds to a valid windows found in trajbrowser.

I had look, but there is no trajectory with route EVM in the database it seems.

You may have done a mistake, cause I found the window thanks to it.
 
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Marijn

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Look at the penultimate one

Nice catch. Putting in Venus and Mars in the custom list should just add the trajectories for venus and the trajectories for mars together in a single list and not result in combined trajectories as far as I am aware.

Anyway, for the first segment of your trip, I think you should use IMFD's Course plan to find a solution which actually matches the 4.17 km/s for the burn to Venus, or something very close to it. You can grab these from the browser. Periapsis height is also given by the Trajectory browser, expressed as 2.75 radii altitude.

Did you know there is a lot more data hidden in the source code of the page? All the state vectors are there for example. Also, the timestamps include hours, minutes and seconds. This data is lost if you would just convert the dates given on the page to MJD's for use in IMFD.
 

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Wow it looks great ! 2.75 radii, what does it stand for ? How do I translate it into orbiter friendly datas ?

I didn't know actually, thanks a lot ! I've looked at the source code, but i'm quite a newbie in programming so I haven't find the values your mentionning, such as the timestamps... Where do I have to look actually ?

Finally, if i'm not mistaken, it does not give me any inclination right ? Or maybe i'm not looking at the right place.
 

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But... Here come the troubles. Even if I manage to set up the burn and eject correctly according to TransX plan, things will move a lot during the trip to Venus. And even if TransX tells me that I'm right on plan, IMFD's Map program seems to disagree. In this thread, you briefly explained the method Tommy :
TransX uses two-body solution in in calculations, so only a single, dominant body is considered, and different stages use the body appropriate for that stage. During your transit from Earth to Venus, only the sun is considered. IMFD's Map uses multi-body solutions and is more accurate. Have the numbers for the swing-by written down and use IMFD's Delta-V program linked with IMFD's Map (in Plan mode) to make the MCC's.
But precisely : how can I take advantage of IMFD's Map program if I don't know the correct values for PeD, Pe MJD, Rin, etc.... ? This is really what is confusing for me and I don't understand what you had in mind. How to set up one ejection burn which will take me to Venus with almost no MCCs, matching the TransX plan even if its inaccuracy may tell me i'm not on the good trajectory ? :rolleyes:
You get the correct values from Trans-X, and use them in IMFD's Course program (use Off-axis transfer mode). You will need at least one MCC, which can be made quite early, to correct the Distance and Inclination. This is easiest done as outlined above, with Delta-V, or it can be done using Target Offsetting in the Course Program. Try both, chances are you will find one easier. For me, that's Delta-V, but you may find otherwise.
 

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Wow it looks great ! 2.75 radii, what does it stand for ? How do I translate it into orbiter friendly datas ?

2.75 radii would mean 2.75 * Venus mean radius. It's indicated by Orbit MFD as 'PeR' and this is an altitude above the planet center. From memory, IMFD Map Program also used this way of expressing altitude but then in meters above planet center. You can find the Venus mean radius in meters in the in-game info.

I didn't know actually, thanks a lot ! I've looked at the source code, but i'm quite a newbie in programming so I haven't find the values your mentionning, such as the timestamps... Where do I have to look actually ?

The data is not quite ready for grabbing. I am working at software at the moment which uses these values. That's how I knew about it. I'll think of a way to convert this data into ready-to-use data for Orbiter. It might take me a few days to come up with something. The question is, would it be helpful if we know the state vectors and accurate timestamps for every manouvre in the trajectory?

Finally, if i'm not mistaken, it does not give me any inclination right ? Or maybe i'm not looking at the right place.

Not sure about this. I think it's not needed.
 

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TransX uses two-body solution in in calculations, so only a single, dominant body is considered, and different stages use the body appropriate for that stage.

I am aware of this behaviour actually, but does it mean that TransX Plan is not reliable or even doable because of its inacurracy ? I mean... to me the main objective is to be able to plan everything I can before take-off, and then proceed with that plan. Is it just fantasy haha ?

Have the numbers for the swing-by written down and use IMFD's Delta-V program linked with IMFD's Map (in Plan mode) to make the MCC's.
You get the correct values from Trans-X, and use them in IMFD's Course program (use Off-axis transfer mode).

This part has lost me... I'm not able to find all these numbers in Tx. I might seem blind, but i'm just really confused.
If Tx gives me before the ejection burn an "Inc" value and a "Focus PeD", these numbers are no longer available after departure, since the displayed trajectory in Slinghot view isn't the planned one but the current one. Moreover, since I am not able to eject using IMFD Delta-v program in order to match perfectly both Inc. (which stands for Rinc and not EqI in IMFD right?), PeD, and Pe MJD between Tx plan and what IMFD'Map shows me, these values are changing in TransX during the trip (since the Pe MJD has changed too) ! So when I'm performing MCCs, i'm totally guessing the swing-by date and attitude I need to correct for.

You will need at least one MCC, which can be made quite early, to correct the Distance and Inclination. This is easiest done as outlined above, with Delta-V, or it can be done using Target Offsetting in the Course Program.

For the first part, as I said above, once I ejected i cannot find out what the Distance and Inclination correct values are supposed to be since TransX displays the current trajectory, and not the planned one. Where can I find these values ?
Finally, I don't know in which thread i've read it, but can't we use the planet approach program in order to set up both PeD Pe MJD and Rinc ?

---------- Post added at 12:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:30 PM ----------

2.75 radii would mean 2.75 * Venus mean radius. It's indicated by Orbit MFD as 'PeR' and this is an altitude above the planet center. From memory, IMFD Map Program also used this way of expressing altitude but then in meters above planet center. You can find the Venus mean radius in meters in the in-game info.

Ok it's clear for me now, thanks !

The data is not quite ready for grabbing. I am working at software at the moment which uses these values. That's how I knew about it. I'll think of a way to convert this data into ready-to-use data for Orbiter. It might take me a few days to come up with something. The question is, would it be helpful if we know the state vectors and accurate timestamps for every manouvre in the trajectory?

:hello: I don't know your program yet, but I can't wait meeting him :D As I said, it would be really cool if we could have an orbiter-friendly plan from trajbrowser, that you just have to follow, and with precise values you can refer to. Nasa's style is really tempting. Congrats for your work !
 
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Marijn

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I don't know your program yet, but I can't wait meeting him :D As I said, it would be really cool if we could have an orbiter-friendly plan from trajbrowser, that you just have to follow, and with precise values you can refer to. Nasa's style is really tempting. Congrats for your work !

It will take some time before it's ready to use. I created it specificly for missions to asteroids so I need to fit planets in to make this of any use to you.

If you can't wait, you could try the following:

Lookup the source code of the Trajectory browser page of the link you posted above.

Your trajeory consist of 7 segments (legs), By chance of the ordering, these happen to be the last 7 values in each array. And we're only discussing the first leg to Venus. So the first value of these seven values are most interesting now:

You may recognize the first DV value, which is the 4.17 km/s ejection burn

Delta-V: 4172.99,0.045859,0,472.278,0.012143,0,2308.59

Timestamps are in JS2000 format: 684288000,684473098,702160280,702259200,702349431,717357250,717465600
There's a recent post on this forum with the formula to convert them to MJD's.

In the same way, you could snatch the state vectors. They are in m/s. I think these are the most interesting:
VX: -1738.66
VY: -11821.3
VZ: -556.655

Perhaps this is the data which need to be entered into IMFD's Delta-Velocity program. Not sure if any conversion is needed. Can you check whether these values are of any practical use?

Other values in the source code need some post-processing apparently.
 
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