Thesis

I'm back with a quick update!

I have been sidetracked from the GUI for the time being with my thesis project, which will eventually turn into the Asteroid/Comet Toolbox along with the other asteroid functions I have made.

As of now, nothing has been coded yet. However, the method is set and the math is almost all mathed out.

Comet 67P Churyumov-Gerasimenko

There will be functions for:

• A new gravity model 
• The point mass model does not work for convex structures such as 67P seen above)
• Radiation pressure and emissivity
• Model of comet off-gassing
• Composition matrix
• Volatilizes sublimate and have set constants/parameters
• Change in orbital elements and rotation due to SRP and off-gassing
• In attempt to analyze the yarkovsky effect
• Trajectory of off-gassed elements
• If they will impact an orbiting object
• Ability to predict a tail
• Would need to include ionization model

Lucky for me, ESA currently has the Rosetta spacecraft in orbit about the comet 67P Churyumov-Gerasimenko (seen above) and the oort-cloud comet, Sliding Spring, is making a close approach to Mars in the upcoming week. I plan on using data from these missions to validate my model.