SatKit

SatKit is a Python library providing tools that enable computation and prediction of satellite orbits, satellite maneuvers, and satellite attitude dynamics.

The SatKit core code is written in Rust for speed and safety. The Python bindings are done via the PyO3 package. All calculations are performed natively in Rust, making the package much faster than a pure-Python equivalent.

Features

• High-precision coordinate transforms between:
  • International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF)
  • Geocentric Celestial Reference Frame (GCRF) using IAU-2000 reduction
  • True-Equinox Mean Equator (TEME) frame used in SGP4 propagation of TLEs
  • Celestial Intermediate Reference Frame (CIRF)
  • Terrestrial Intermediate Reference Frame (TIRF)
  • Terrestrial Geodetic frame (latitude, longitude)
• Geodesic distances
• SGP4 and Keplerian orbit propagation
• JPL high-precision planetary ephemerides
• High-order gravity models
• High-precision, high-speed numerical satellite orbit propagation with high-order efficient Runge-Kutta solvers, ability to solve for state transition matrix, and inclusion of the following forces:
  • High-order Earth gravity with multiple models
  • Solar gravity
  • Lunar gravity
  • Drag (NRL MSISE-00 density model)
  • Radiation pressure

Quick Links

Installation	Install from PyPI or build from source
Data Files	Required data files for calculations
User Guide	Learn how to use the library
Tutorials	Interactive Jupyter notebook examples
API Reference	Full Python API documentation

Author

Steven Michael (ssmichael@gmail.com)

Please reach out if you find errors in code or calculations, are interested in contributing to this repository, or have suggestions for improvements to the API.