G-View is a 3D visualization tool for supporting spacecraft guidance, navigation, and control (GN&C) simulations relevant to small-body exploration and sampling (see figure). The tool is developed in MATLAB using Virtual Reality Toolbox and provides users with the ability to visualize the behavior of their simulations, regardless of which programming language (or machine) is used to generate simulation results. The only requirement is that multi-body simulation data is generated and placed in the proper format before applying GView.

Comet GN&C example of G-View.
G-View allows the user to visualize the behavior of a multi-body system (i.e. a spacecraft, the translations and rotations of the spacecraft body components, thruster firings, and thrust magnitude) by simultaneously showing plots of various relevant states and parameters. In G-View, the user can easily manipulate the location, zoom, translation, and direction of the camera, thus providing a wide range of options for viewing the behavior of specific spacecraft components, such as the solar panels, mechanical arms, brushwheel sampler, joints, etc.

G-View is easily modifiable and can be adjusted to specific design or simulation requirements. For example, one mode of usage is to create movie clips for a batch-collected set of data. This provides a visual aid supporting iterative design methods and an efficient tool for generating presentations. GView can also be applied to a computer simulation one frame at a time. This is especially beneficial when applied to simulation environments that require long running times. By extracting visualization data at specific time instants, the user can assess whether the simulation has the desired behavior or if something is wrong and is not worth continuing. In this manner, G-View can save significant time when simulating complex scenarios, and improve troubleshooting efficiency.

This work was done by Milan Mandic, Behçet Açıkmeşe, and Lars Blackmore of Caltech for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

This software is available for commercial licensing. Please contact Daniel Broderick of the California Institute of Technology at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. NPO-47197

Topics:
Anatomy Arm Augmented / virtual reality Avionics Body regions Computer simulation Flight control systems Imaging and visualization Medical, health and wellness Medical, health, and wellness Optics Simulation and modeling Software Spacecraft Spacecraft guidance Vehicles Virtual reality
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
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Spacecraft Guidance, Navigation, and Control Visualization Tool

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Software Tech Briefs Magazine

This article first appeared in the September, 2011 issue of Software Tech Briefs Magazine (Vol. 35 No. 9).

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Overview

The document presents a Technical Support Package from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) detailing G-View, a 3-D software visualization tool designed to support spacecraft guidance, navigation, and control (GN&C) simulations, particularly for small body exploration and sampling missions. Developed in Matlab, G-View enables users to visualize simulation results regardless of the programming language or machine used to generate the data, provided that the simulation data is formatted correctly. This user-friendly "black-box" approach makes G-View widely applicable across various missions.

The report highlights the successful application of G-View in several mission proposals, notably the Comet Odyssey and Galahad Asteroid sample return missions. These applications have yielded valuable insights into spacecraft performance, survivability, sample collection challenges, disturbance issues, and thruster allocator performance. The document elaborates on the Comet Odyssey mission, which involves a critical Touch-and-Go (TAG) maneuver where the spacecraft approaches a comet, collects samples, and ascends. The TAG maneuver necessitates strict thruster silence times to prevent contamination, posing significant challenges that require extensive simulation testing.

G-View processes simulation data generated by the G-TAG software tool, which models the spacecraft as a ten-body vehicle comprising various components, including the spacecraft bus, arms, sample container, brush-wheels, and solar panels. The visualization process involves creating a virtual spacecraft environment using 3-D software, allowing users to manipulate visual elements such as the sky's color to enhance the simulation's relevance.

The document emphasizes the importance of G-View in visualizing complex spacecraft operations and its role in supporting mission planning and execution. It serves as a valuable resource for researchers and engineers involved in small body exploration, providing insights that can lead to improved mission designs and outcomes.

In summary, the Technical Support Package outlines the capabilities and applications of G-View, showcasing its significance in advancing spacecraft GN&C simulations and enhancing the understanding of mission-critical maneuvers in small body exploration. The report underscores JPL's commitment to developing innovative tools that facilitate aerospace research and technology.