.. _contribute_to_tudat:
===================
Contribute to Tudat
===================
Any contribution you have to Tudat is very welcome! This can come in the form of code contributions in C++ or Python, additions to our website, extensions to the API documentation, the writing of example applications, *etc.* Also, any general advice, ideas, comments, feature request are most welcome! You can use any of the following to work on Tudat and/or reach out:
* Join our Slack chat! This is where most of our coding discussion takes place. Send an `e-mail `_ to get an invite.
* Post an issue on one of our Github repositories:
* `Tudat code (C++) `_ in which our functionality is implemented
* `Tudatpy code (C++) `_ where the C++ functionality is exposed to Python using `pybind11 `_
* `Tudatpy examples code (Python/Jupyter) `_ where the :ref:`getting_started_examples` of our project are located
* `Tudat space (sphinx) `_ where the markup language that generates this website is located
* `Tudat API docs (docstrings) `_ where the entries of our :doc:`API documentation ` are located
* Part of our development workflow is documented on our `developer docs `_. This site is still under construction, and any input is more than welcome!
Ongoing and planned developments
================================
Below is a (not entirely comprehensive) list of features and functionalities that are under active development, or or our near(ish)-term wishlist. For some of them, the required development would be Python-only. If you're interested in the status of these points, in contributing, or in proposing additional ones, please feel free to contact us!
* Extension of Tudat estimation functionality for real tracking data analysis, with a focus on planetary missions
* Reading additional typical radio tracking data files (TNF, TDF) into Tudat-compatible data structures (in addition to ODF files, which are currently supported)
* Adding high-accuracy models for media corrections for radio tracking (troposphere, ionosphere, corona)
* Adding more detailed albedo and surface temperature models for radiation pressure modelling
* Flexible and automated setup for high-fidelity propagation and estimation of planetary spacecraft
* Implement sparse matrices for partials matrices
* ...
* Adding better functionality to automate the plotting of numerical propagation results (**Python**)
* Linking SGP4 propagator to Tudat (**Python**?)
* Linking the preliminary mission design module to the numerical propagation, including automated differential corrections
* Supporting events during the propagation (i.e. modify models when a specific condition is met)
* Implementing regularized propagators (e.g. Dromo)
* Extend CR3BP propagation and mission design functionality (including differential correction to account for perturbations)
* Rigorous relativistic effects for orbit propagation (e.g. acceleration derived from metric tensor)
* High-accuracy Earth deformation models (ocean tides, etc.)
* ...
We're also always looking for new example applications, and good ideas for example applications, please feel free to share any ideas and code you may have!
.. _contributors:
Contributor list
================
Below, there is a list of contributors to Tudat. Mostly, these have been staff and students of TU Delft who have worked on Tudat as part of their research project(s) and/or as TAs. Many of them have put a lot of their free time and research time into making Tudat what it is. If you think your name is missing here, please let us know!
**Currently and recently active contributors**
* `Dominic Dirkx `_
* Marie Fayolle
* `Geoffrey Garrett `_
* Riva Alkahal
* Kevin Cowan
* Fabien Dahmani
* Tristan Dijkstra
* `João Encarnação `_
* Simon van Hulle
* Antonio Lopez Rivera
* Michael Plumaris
* Kai Zenk
**Tudat Alumni Hall-of-fame**
* `Kartik Kumar `_ - For starting it all, developing numerous core features, and leading the project through the crucial first few years with huge passion and commitment
* `Jacco Geul `_ - For supporting Tudat for the duration of his Ph.D. project, resolving more bugs and answering more questions than we can count and professionalizing the setup of the project
* `Jeroen Melman `_ - For helping to build up the Tudat project in its very first years with code development and project setup, without which it may never have survived
* Miguel Avillez - For developing the current loading and processing functionality allowing Tudat to handle real radio tracking data
**Past Contributors**
* `Giacomo Aciarini `_
* `Evianne Brandon `_
* Sean Cowan
* `Frank Engelen `_
* `Michele Facchinelli `_
* `Iosto Fodde `_
* Carlos Fortuny Lombrana
* Jeremie Gaffarel
* `Jacco Geul `_
* `David Gondelach `_
* `Alejandro Gonzalez Puerta `_
* `Linda van der Ham `_
* Jonas Hener
* `Frank Hogervorst `_
* `René Hoogendoorn `_
* `Elisabetta Iorfida `_
* `Kartik Kumar `_
* `Jonatan Leloux `_
* `Francesco Lupi `_
* Gregorio Marchesini
* Jorge Martinez
* Maarten van Nistelrooij
* Filippo Oggionni
* `Aleix Pinardell `_
* `Bart Römgens `_
* `Tineke Roegiers `_
* `Alexander Ronse `_
* `Dominik Stiller `_
* `Mattia Topini `_
* Rens van der Zwaard
..
* Elmar Puts
* Bryan Tong Minh
* Sebastian Villamil