Computer program analyzes the entries and planetary trajectories of space vehicles. It obtains the equivalence of altitude and flight path angle, respectively, to acceleration load factor with respect to velocity for a given inertial velocity

Cathcart, J. R.

Frank, A. J.

Massaglia, J. L.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

November 1968 .	 Brief 68-10403 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
NASA Tech Briefs are issued to summarize specific innovations derived from the U.S. space program, 
to encourage their commercial application, copies are available to the public at 15 cents each 
from the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information, Springfield, Virginia 22151. 
Internal Velocity Factors 
The problem: 
To devise a method for analyzing the entries and 
planetary trajectories of space vehicles. 
The solution: 
A computer program which obtains the equivalence 
of altitude and flight path angle, respectively, to accel-
eration load factor with respect to velocity for a given 
inertial velocity. 
How it's done: 
Although altitude and flight path angle are con-
venient parameters for trajectory analysis, they are 
not readily determined with simple flight hardware. 
In the interest of design simplicity, the combinations 
of altitude and path angle were replaced respectively 
with equivalent parameters of acceleration load factor 
and the rate of change of load factor with respect to 
inertial velocity. 
The equations include an oblate, rotating planet 
model and the 1962 U.S. standard atmosphere or 
provisions for atmospheric data input as curve data.
Notes: 
I. This program is written in Fortran IV for use on 
the IBM 7094 computer. 
2. Inquiries should be made to: 
COSMIC 
Computer Center 
University of Georgia 
Athens, Georgia 30601 
Reference: B68-10403 
Patent status: 
No patent action is contemplated by NASA. 
Source: A. J. Frank, J. R. Cathcart, 
and J. L. Massaglia 
of North American Rockwell Corporation 
under contract to 
Manned Spacecraft Center 
(MSC-1 5002) 
Category 06 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States
Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
will be free from privately owned rights.
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Internal velocity factors

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