This impulse evolution involves maneuvering the vessel in a series of inbound and outbound approaches around a planet (Mars). When completed, the maneuvers can be visulaised as forming a simple star pattern around the planet.
The evolution is intended to provide training and competency evaluation on the following impulse navigation skills:
The evolution proving course is centred on a designated planet, usually Mars.
The starting point is on the X axis a distance from the first point of the ‘star’. The end point is within a target area 100 GU’s squared centred on the first point of the star.
The example evolution is centred on Mars with co-ordinates X -1745 Y 15100.
The course points (CPs) for the evolution are:
CP | Co-Ordinates | Heading from CP |
---|---|---|
1 |
X -3445 Y 15100 |
000 |
2 |
X -2945 Y 15100 |
011 |
3 |
X -1945 Y 15300 |
079 |
4 |
X -1785 Y 16100 |
Radial |
5 |
X -1705 Y 16100 |
281 |
6 |
X -1545 Y 15300 |
349 |
7 |
X -745 Y 15140 |
Radial |
8 |
X -745 Y 15060 |
191 |
9 |
X -1545 Y 14900 |
259 |
10 |
X -1705 Y 14100 |
Radial |
11 |
X -1785 Y 14100 |
101 |
12 |
X -1945 Y 14900 |
169 |
13 |
X -2945 Y 15100 |
End |
You'll notice from this evolution plan that maneuvers are set up in advance, typically one or more course points from where they will have to be executed.
For evaluation purposes, on completion of each CP no more than 6° correction to the next CP must be necessary.
The vessel must come to all stop within +/-50 GUs of the final CP.