Contact Method Summary

Top  Previous  Next

The tables below present a summary of the instantaneous and interval methods available in FreeFlyer related to coverage and contact analysis. For more information on interval methods, see the Interval Methods page.

 

This page is divided into ten sections:

1.Observer: Spacecraft

2.Observer: Sensor attached to a Spacecraft

3.Observer: GroundStation

4.Observer: CelestialObject

5.Observer: Region

6.Observer: PointGroup

7.Observer: ProximityZone

8.Observer: Vector

9.Observer: BlockageDiagram

10.Observer: Array

11.Observer: GroundVehicle

12.Observer: Sensor attached to a GroundVehicle

 

 

Observer: Spacecraft


The methods listed here treat the observing Spacecraft as a point and do not include any constraints on the Spacecraft's field-of-view using any of the Spacecraft's Sensors. For a summary of methods that include constraints based on the field-of-view of one or more Sensors attached to a Spacecraft, see the next section of this page.

 

Target

Instantaneous Method

Interval Method

Spacecraft

Note: With these methods, the argument Spacecraft is the target.

Spacecraft.Azimuth()

Spacecraft.Elevation()

Spacecraft.Occult()

Spacecraft.ProbabilityOfCollision()

Spacecraft.Range()

Spacecraft.RangeRate()

Spacecraft.RayPathHeight()

Spacecraft.RelativeAngle()

Spacecraft.TCA()

VisibilityCalculator.Visibility()

VisibilitySegment.Azimuth()

VisibilitySegment.Elevation()

VisibilitySegment.Visibility()

Spacecraft.CloseApproachRange()

VisibilityCalculator.VisibilityTimes()

VisibilitySegment.ElevationTimes()

VisibilitySegment.VisibilityTimes()

Spacecraft

Note: With these methods, the argument Spacecraft is the observer.

Spacecraft.Contact()

Spacecraft.ContactTimes()

Sensor

VisibilityCalculator.Visibility()

VisibilitySegment.Azimuth()

VisibilitySegment.Elevation()

VisibilitySegment.Visibility()

VisibilityCalculator.VisibilityTimes()

VisibilitySegment.ElevationTimes()

VisibilitySegment.VisibilityTimes()

GroundStation

Spacecraft.Azimuth()

Spacecraft.Elevation()

Spacecraft.CommZAspectAngle()

Spacecraft.Range()

Spacecraft.RangeRate()

Spacecraft.RayPathHeight()

Spacecraft.TCA()

VisibilityCalculator.Visibility()

VisibilitySegment.Azimuth()

VisibilitySegment.Elevation()

VisibilitySegment.Visibility()

Spacecraft.CloseApproachRange()

VisibilityCalculator.VisibilityTimes()

VisibilitySegment.ElevationTimes()

VisibilitySegment.VisibilityTimes()

CelestialObject

Note: See also the section on "Observer: CelestialObject" below, which summarizes the shadow methods.

Spacecraft.Azimuth()

Spacecraft.Elevation()

Spacecraft.RayPathHeight()

Spacecraft.RelativeAngle()

VisibilityCalculator.Visibility()

VisibilitySegment.Azimuth()

VisibilitySegment.Elevation()

VisibilitySegment.Visibility()

VisibilityCalculator.VisibilityTimes()

VisibilitySegment.ElevationTimes()

VisibilitySegment.VisibilityTimes()

Star

Spacecraft.Azimuth()

Spacecraft.Elevation()

Spacecraft.RelativeAngle()

VisibilityCalculator.Visibility()

VisibilitySegment.Azimuth()

VisibilitySegment.Elevation()

VisibilitySegment.Visibility()

VisibilityCalculator.VisibilityTimes()

VisibilitySegment.ElevationTimes()

VisibilitySegment.VisibilityTimes()

PointGroup

Note: Only the first point in the PointGroup is used for this analysis.

Spacecraft.Occult()

N/A

PointGroupPoint

VisibilityCalculator.Visibility()

VisibilitySegment.Azimuth()

VisibilitySegment.Elevation()

VisibilitySegment.Visibility()

VisibilityCalculator.VisibilityTimes()

VisibilitySegment.ElevationTimes()

VisibilitySegment.VisibilityTimes()

Array

Note: Array must be specified in Earth Fixed coordinates.

Spacecraft.Occult()

N/A

 

 

Observer: Sensor attached to a Spacecraft


For more information, see the Sensors page as well as the Attach command.

 

Target

Instantaneous Method

Interval Method

Spacecraft

Note: With these methods, the argument Spacecraft is the target.

Spacecraft.Azimuth()

Spacecraft.Elevation()

VisibilityCalculator.Visibility()

VisibilitySegment.Azimuth()

VisibilitySegment.Elevation()

VisibilitySegment.Visibility()

Spacecraft.Access()

Spacecraft.FOVInterference()

Spacecraft.FOVTimes()

VisibilityCalculator.VisibilityTimes()

VisibilitySegment.ElevationTimes()

VisibilitySegment.VisibilityTimes()

Spacecraft

Note: With these methods, the argument Spacecraft is the observer.

Spacecraft.Contact()

Spacecraft.ContactTimes()

Spacecraft.FOVInterference()

Sensor

VisibilityCalculator.Visibility()

VisibilitySegment.Azimuth()

VisibilitySegment.Elevation()

VisibilitySegment.Visibility()

VisibilityCalculator.VisibilityTimes()

VisibilitySegment.ElevationTimes()

VisibilitySegment.VisibilityTimes()

GroundStation

Spacecraft.Azimuth()

Spacecraft.Elevation()

VisibilityCalculator.Visibility()

VisibilitySegment.Azimuth()

VisibilitySegment.Elevation()

VisibilitySegment.Visibility()

Spacecraft.Access()

Spacecraft.FOVTimes()

VisibilityCalculator.VisibilityTimes()

VisibilitySegment.ElevationTimes()

VisibilitySegment.VisibilityTimes()

CelestialObject

Spacecraft.Azimuth()

Spacecraft.Elevation()

VisibilityCalculator.Visibility()

VisibilitySegment.Azimuth()

VisibilitySegment.Elevation()

VisibilitySegment.Visibility()

Spacecraft.Access()

Spacecraft.FOVInterference()

Spacecraft.FOVTimes()

VisibilityCalculator.VisibilityTimes()

VisibilitySegment.ElevationTimes()

VisibilitySegment.VisibilityTimes()

Star

Spacecraft.Azimuth()

Spacecraft.Elevation()

VisibilityCalculator.Visibility()

VisibilitySegment.Azimuth()

VisibilitySegment.Elevation()

VisibilitySegment.Visibility()

Spacecraft.Access()

Spacecraft.FOVInterference()

Spacecraft.FOVTimes()

VisibilityCalculator.VisibilityTimes()

VisibilitySegment.ElevationTimes()

VisibilitySegment.VisibilityTimes()

Region

Spacecraft.InView()

Spacecraft.Access()

PointGroup

Note: All points in the PointGroup are used for this analysis.

N/A

PointGroup.Coverage()

PointGroup

Note: Only the first point in the PointGroup is used for this analysis.

Spacecraft.InView()

N/A

PointGroupPoint

VisibilityCalculator.Visibility()

VisibilitySegment.Azimuth()

VisibilitySegment.Elevation()

VisibilitySegment.Visibility()

VisibilityCalculator.VisibilityTimes()

VisibilitySegment.ElevationTimes()

VisibilitySegment.VisibilityTimes()

Array

Note: Array must be specified in Earth Fixed coordinates.

Spacecraft.InView()

N/A

 

 

Observer: GroundStation


For more information, see the GroundStations page.

 

Target

Instantaneous Method

Interval Method

Spacecraft

GroundStation.Azimuth()

GroundStation.Elevation()

GroundStation.ElevationR()

GroundStation.Range()

GroundStation.RangeRate()

Spacecraft.Contact()

VisibilityCalculator.Visibility()

VisibilitySegment.Azimuth()

VisibilitySegment.Elevation()

VisibilitySegment.Visibility()

GroundStation.TrackingInterference()

Spacecraft.ContactTimes()

Spacecraft.PassData()

VisibilityCalculator.VisibilityTimes()

VisibilitySegment.ElevationTimes()

VisibilitySegment.VisibilityTimes()

Sensor

VisibilityCalculator.Visibility()

VisibilitySegment.Azimuth()

VisibilitySegment.Elevation()

VisibilitySegment.Visibility()

VisibilityCalculator.VisibilityTimes()

VisibilitySegment.ElevationTimes()

VisibilitySegment.VisibilityTimes()

GroundStation

VisibilityCalculator.Visibility()

VisibilitySegment.Azimuth()

VisibilitySegment.Elevation()

VisibilitySegment.Visibility()

VisibilityCalculator.VisibilityTimes()

VisibilitySegment.ElevationTimes()

VisibilitySegment.VisibilityTimes()

CelestialObject

VisibilityCalculator.Visibility()

VisibilitySegment.Azimuth()

VisibilitySegment.Elevation()

VisibilitySegment.Visibility()

GroundStation.TrackingInterference()

VisibilityCalculator.VisibilityTimes()

VisibilitySegment.ElevationTimes()

VisibilitySegment.VisibilityTimes()

PointGroupPoint

VisibilityCalculator.Visibility()

VisibilitySegment.Azimuth()

VisibilitySegment.Elevation()

VisibilitySegment.Visibility()

VisibilityCalculator.VisibilityTimes()

VisibilitySegment.ElevationTimes()

VisibilitySegment.VisibilityTimes()

Star

VisibilityCalculator.Visibility()

VisibilitySegment.Azimuth()

VisibilitySegment.Elevation()

VisibilitySegment.Visibility()

GroundStation.TrackingInterference()

VisibilityCalculator.VisibilityTimes()

VisibilitySegment.ElevationTimes()

VisibilitySegment.VisibilityTimes()

 

 

Observer: CelestialObject


These methods compute shadows cast by a CelestialObject. For more information, see the CelestialObjects page.

 

Target

Instantaneous Method

Interval Method

Spacecraft

Spacecraft.InShadow()

Spacecraft.ParticleFlux()

Spacecraft.PercentEarthShadow()

Spacecraft.PercentMoonShadow()

Spacecraft.PercentShadow()

 

Spacecraft.AnnularShadowTimes()

Spacecraft.CardinalPoints()

Spacecraft.EarthShadowTimes()

Spacecraft.MoonShadowTimes()

Spacecraft.ParticleFluxTimes()

Spacecraft.PenumbralShadowTimes()

Spacecraft.ShadowTimes()

Spacecraft.SpacecraftNoon()

Spacecraft.SunTerminatorCrossingTimes()

Spacecraft.UmbralShadowTimes()

GroundStation

GroundStation.InShadow()

N/A

 

 

Observer: Region


For more information, see the Regions page.

 

Target

Instantaneous Method

Interval Method

Spacecraft

Spacecraft.Contact()

Spacecraft.InRegion()

Spacecraft.ContactTimes()

Spacecraft.ExclusionZone()

 

 

Observer: PointGroup


For more information, see the PointGroups page.

 

Target

Instantaneous Method

Interval Method

Spacecraft

Note: Only the first point in the PointGroup is used for this analysis.

Spacecraft.Contact()

Spacecraft.ContactTimes()

 

 

Observer: ProximityZone


For more information, see the ProximityZones page.

 

Target

Instantaneous Method

Interval Method

ProximityZone

ProximityZone.InRange()

ProximityZone.Intersects()

Spacecraft

ProximityZone.InRange()

Spacecraft.InRange()

ProximityZone.Intersects()

Spacecraft.Intersects()

PointGroup

Note: Only the first point in the PointGroup is used for this analysis.

Spacecraft.InRange()

N/A

Array

Note: Array must be specified in Earth Fixed coordinates.

Spacecraft.InRange()

N/A

 

 

Observer: Vector


For more information, see the Vectors page.

 

Target

Instantaneous Method

Interval Method

ProximityZone

Vector.Intersects()

Vector.IntersectionTimes()

ThreeDModel

Vector.Intersects()

Vector.IntersectionTimes()

 

 

Observer: BlockageDiagram


For more information, see the BlockageDiagrams page.

 

Target

Instantaneous Method

Interval Method

Spacecraft

BlockageDiagram.LineOfSight()

BlockageDiagram.LineOfSightTimes()

Formation

N/A

BlockageDiagram.LineOfSightTimes()

GroundStation

BlockageDiagram.LineOfSight()

BlockageDiagram.LineOfSightTimes()

CelestialObject

BlockageDiagram.LineOfSight()

BlockageDiagram.LineOfSightTimes()

Star

BlockageDiagram.LineOfSight()

BlockageDiagram.LineOfSightTimes()

Vector

BlockageDiagram.LineOfSight()

BlockageDiagram.LineOfSightTimes()

Array

Note: Array must be specified in ICRF coordinates.

BlockageDiagram.LineOfSight()

BlockageDiagram.LineOfSightTimes()

 

 

Observer: Array


The array used as the observer with this method defines a cone by specifying the latitude, longitude, height, and elevation angle of visibility.

 

Target

Instantaneous Method

Interval Method

Spacecraft

Spacecraft.Contact()

N/A

 

 

Observer: GroundVehicle


The methods listed here treat the observing GroundVehicle as a point and do not include any constraints on the GroundVehicle's field-of-view using any attached Sensors. For a summary of methods that include constraints based on the field-of-view of one or more Sensors attached to a GroundVehicle, see the next section of this page.

 

Target

Instantaneous Method

Interval Method

Spacecraft

 

GroundVehicle.Azimuth()

GroundVehicle.Elevation()

GroundVehicle.Range()

VisibilityCalculator.Visibility()

VisibilitySegment.Azimuth()

VisibilitySegment.Elevation()

VisibilitySegment.Visibility()

VisibilityCalculator.VisibilityTimes()

VisibilitySegment.ElevationTimes()

VisibilitySegment.VisibilityTimes()

Sensor

VisibilityCalculator.Visibility()

VisibilitySegment.Azimuth()

VisibilitySegment.Elevation()

VisibilitySegment.Visibility()

VisibilityCalculator.VisibilityTimes()

VisibilitySegment.ElevationTimes()

VisibilitySegment.VisibilityTimes()

GroundVehicle

Note: With these methods, the argument GroundVehicle is the target.

GroundVehicle.Azimuth()

GroundVehicle.Elevation()

GroundVehicle.Range()

VisibilityCalculator.Visibility()

VisibilitySegment.Azimuth()

VisibilitySegment.Elevation()

VisibilitySegment.Visibility()

VisibilityCalculator.VisibilityTimes()

VisibilitySegment.ElevationTimes()

VisibilitySegment.VisibilityTimes()

GroundStation

GroundVehicle.Azimuth()

GroundVehicle.Elevation()

GroundVehicle.Range()

VisibilityCalculator.Visibility()

VisibilitySegment.Azimuth()

VisibilitySegment.Elevation()

VisibilitySegment.Visibility()

VisibilityCalculator.VisibilityTimes()

VisibilitySegment.ElevationTimes()

VisibilitySegment.VisibilityTimes()

CelestialObject

Note: See also the section on "Observer: CelestialObject" above, which summarizes the shadow methods.

GroundVehicle.Azimuth()

GroundVehicle.Elevation()

GroundVehicle.Range()

GroundVehicle.RelativeAngle()

GroundVehicle.CelestialObjectWidth()

VisibilityCalculator.Visibility()

VisibilitySegment.Azimuth()

VisibilitySegment.Elevation()

VisibilitySegment.Visibility()

VisibilityCalculator.VisibilityTimes()

VisibilitySegment.ElevationTimes()

VisibilitySegment.VisibilityTimes()

PointGroupPoint

VisibilityCalculator.Visibility()

VisibilitySegment.Azimuth()

VisibilitySegment.Elevation()

VisibilitySegment.Visibility()

VisibilityCalculator.VisibilityTimes()

VisibilitySegment.ElevationTimes()

VisibilitySegment.VisibilityTimes()

Star

GroundVehicle.Azimuth()

GroundVehicle.Elevation()

GroundVehicle.RelativeAngle()

VisibilityCalculator.Visibility()

VisibilitySegment.Azimuth()

VisibilitySegment.Elevation()

VisibilitySegment.Visibility()

VisibilityCalculator.VisibilityTimes()

VisibilitySegment.ElevationTimes()

VisibilitySegment.VisibilityTimes()

 

 

Observer: Sensor attached to a GroundVehicle


For more information, see the Sensors page as well as the Attach command.

 

Target

Instantaneous Method

Interval Method

Spacecraft

 

GroundVehicle.Azimuth()

GroundVehicle.Elevation()

GroundVehicle.Range()

VisibilityCalculator.Visibility()

VisibilitySegment.Azimuth()

VisibilitySegment.Elevation()

VisibilitySegment.Visibility()

VisibilityCalculator.VisibilityTimes()

VisibilitySegment.ElevationTimes()

VisibilitySegment.VisibilityTimes()

Sensor

VisibilityCalculator.Visibility()

VisibilitySegment.Azimuth()

VisibilitySegment.Elevation()

VisibilitySegment.Visibility()

VisibilityCalculator.VisibilityTimes()

VisibilitySegment.ElevationTimes()

VisibilitySegment.VisibilityTimes()

GroundVehicle

Note: With these methods, the argument GroundVehicle is the target.

GroundVehicle.Azimuth()

GroundVehicle.Elevation()

GroundVehicle.Range()

VisibilityCalculator.Visibility()

VisibilitySegment.Azimuth()

VisibilitySegment.Elevation()

VisibilitySegment.Visibility()

VisibilityCalculator.VisibilityTimes()

VisibilitySegment.ElevationTimes()

VisibilitySegment.VisibilityTimes()

GroundStation

GroundVehicle.Azimuth()

GroundVehicle.Elevation()

GroundVehicle.Range()

VisibilityCalculator.Visibility()

VisibilitySegment.Azimuth()

VisibilitySegment.Elevation()

VisibilitySegment.Visibility()

VisibilityCalculator.VisibilityTimes()

VisibilitySegment.ElevationTimes()

VisibilitySegment.VisibilityTimes()

CelestialObject

GroundVehicle.Azimuth()

GroundVehicle.Elevation()

GroundVehicle.Range()

GroundVehicle.RelativeAngle()

GroundVehicle.CelestialObjectWidth()

VisibilityCalculator.Visibility()

VisibilitySegment.Azimuth()

VisibilitySegment.Elevation()

VisibilitySegment.Visibility()

VisibilityCalculator.VisibilityTimes()

VisibilitySegment.ElevationTimes()

VisibilitySegment.VisibilityTimes()

PointGroupPoint

VisibilityCalculator.Visibility()

VisibilitySegment.Azimuth()

VisibilitySegment.Elevation()

VisibilitySegment.Visibility()

VisibilityCalculator.VisibilityTimes()

VisibilitySegment.ElevationTimes()

VisibilitySegment.VisibilityTimes()

Star

GroundVehicle.Azimuth()

GroundVehicle.Elevation()

VisibilityCalculator.Visibility()

VisibilitySegment.Azimuth()

VisibilitySegment.Elevation()

VisibilitySegment.Visibility()

VisibilityCalculator.VisibilityTimes()

VisibilitySegment.ElevationTimes()

VisibilitySegment.VisibilityTimes()

 

 

See Also


Interval Methods

List of Interval Methods

VisibilityCalculators

The Spacecraft Object

The GroundVehicle Object

Sensors

GroundStations

PointGroups

Regions

ProximityZones