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:

Ongoing and planned developments

Below is a (non enirely comprehensive) list of features and functionalities that are under active development, or or our near(ish)-term wishlist. For some of them, the requied development would be ython-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 typical radio tracking data files (ODF, TNF, TDF) into Tudat-compatible data structures (Python?)

    • Linking JPL Horizons and Minor Planet Center databases to Tudat environment, to make setup of planetary mission scenarios easier, both will use the astroquery package (Python)

    • Adding models for media corrections for radio tracking (troposphere, ionosphere, corona)

    • Implement sparse matrices for partials matrices

    • …

  • Adding better functionality to automate the plotting of numerical propagation results, including easier access to specific dependent variables (Python)

  • Linking SGP4 propagator to Tudat (Python?)

  • Use a dedicated Time object to represent time (rather than just a double)

  • 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)

  • Implement detailed radiation pressure models

  • Extend CR3BP propagation and mission design functionality (including differential correction to account for perturbations)

  • …

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

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

Past Contributors