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 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 pressire modelling

    • Flexible and automated setup for high-fidelity propagation and estimation of planetart 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!

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

  • Miguel Avillez - For developing the current loading and processing functionality allowing Tudat to handle real radio tracking data

Past Contributors