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STK Fundamentals

Version 10

Analytical Graphics, Inc.

www.agi.com [email protected]

800.220.4785 610.981.8000 November 21, 2012


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OverviewWelcome to the STK Fundamentals training course.This course is a collection of instructor-led exercises that provide

hands-on experience with a variety of the features and functions on which STK is built. It will familiarize the first-time

user with the AGI Graphical User Interface (GUI); introduce them to some of the various land, sea, air, and space

objects; their associated properties, and tools; and leave them with a basic understanding of the capabilities that are a

part of the STK software suite.

This is not a comprehensive guide to any of the products that make up the STK Product Suite. The full scope of the

STK Product Suite is far too broad to address in a single day course. When you complete this course, you will have the

knowledge that you need to navigate the software and access additional resources including the STK Help system,

which contains in-depth information about operating STK and all of its associated modules and add-ons.

This course will focus on the core modules that are commonly used to perform various types of analysis. In order to

complete the exercises herein you must have a fully functional copy of the following products:

STK Professional Edition


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Table Of Contents

When Can I Spy On Washington From a Molniya Satellite? ........ 7Problem Statement.......................................................................................... 8

Welcome To STK!............................................................................................ 8Model the World!............................................................................................. 9The Properties Browser ................................................................................. 12Scenario Basic Properties .............................................................................. 12Insert STK Objects Tool ................................................................................. 13Model a Spacecraft ........................................................................................ 14

Model Washington......................................................................................... 162D and 3D Visualization ................................................................................. 18Animation Properties ..................................................................................... 19Manipulating the 2D and 3D Graphics Windows........................................... 21Report Positional Data ................................................................................... 23When Can SpySat See Washington?......................................................... 24

Report Access Times..................................................................................... 26Where Is SpySat When It Sees DC?.......................................................... 28Where Is SpySat When DC Sees Him? ..................................................... 28When You Finish............................................................................................ 29

Where Is the Space Station, Now?................................................ 31

Problem Statement........................................................................................ 32Model the World!........................................................................................... 33Model My House ........................................................................................... 34Model ISS ...................................................................................................... 36When Can I See ISS From My House?.......................................................... 37Model Real World Conditions ........................................................................ 38


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Constrain the ISS ........................................................................................... 39Now, When Can I See ISS? ........................................................................... 39Change to Local Time .................................................................................... 40Constrain MyHouse ....................................................................................... 40

When Can I See ISS From MyHouse?........................................................... 41Elevation Angle Constraints........................................................................... 41Where Am I?.................................................................................................. 42Save Your Work ............................................................................................. 45

How Is the Reception On My Satellite Radio

Outside the Continental U.S.?................................................... 47Problem Statement........................................................................................ 48Model the World!........................................................................................... 48

Model Locations On the Ground.................................................................... 49Get a Better Look! ......................................................................................... 52Ground Vehicles In STK ................................................................................. 55

Model Ground Transportation ........................................................................ 56Where Am I?.................................................................................................. 59Ship Out ......................................................................................................... 59Where In the World Am I? ............................................................................. 61You Are Here! ................................................................................................ 62Get Moving!................................................................................................... 64

AGI Timeline Tool........................................................................................... 64Wheres the Rythm?...................................................................................... 65

Get a Better Look! ......................................................................................... 67SIRIUS XM Access ........................................................................................ 69Constrain CVN_76.......................................................................................... 71Get Moving!................................................................................................... 72

When You Finish............................................................................................ 73

Can I Detect a Rogue Aircraft Flying From Havana

to Key Largo?.............................................................................. 75Problem Statement........................................................................................ 76

Model the World!........................................................................................... 76Model Destinations........................................................................................ 77Model the Intruder......................................................................................... 78Model a LEO Satellite .................................................................................... 80Model Instruments ........................................................................................ 81Fixed Sensors On Moving Objects ................................................................ 81

When Can the Fixed Sensor See It? .......................................................... 83Moving Sensors On Moving Objects............................................................. 83What Can Targeted See It? ........................................................................ 86


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Model the Detector Aircraft ........................................................................... 87Change Your Perspective............................................................................... 88Fixed Sensor on a Moving Object.................................................................. 88Visually Verify Access .................................................................................... 89

Fixed Sensors On Stationary Objects ............................................................ 89What Can the Radar Dome See?............................................................... 91When Can the Radar Dome See It? ........................................................... 91Access Data ................................................................................................... 92Moving Sensors On Stationary Objects......................................................... 93What Can the Sweeping Radar See?......................................................... 96

When Can the Sweeping Radar See It?..................................................... 97Who Sees It When?................................................................................... 99Share Scenarios With Non-STK Users ......................................................... 100When You Finish.......................................................................................... 102

How Many Satellites Must I Access To

Communicate With the GPS Network? .................................. 103Problem Statement...................................................................................... 104Model the World!......................................................................................... 105Model Omaha .............................................................................................. 105Model an Aircraft ......................................................................................... 106Model a Circular Orbit .................................................................................. 107

Complex Accesses ...................................................................................... 108Other Ways to Introduce Objects ................................................................ 109

Using Chains ................................................................................................ 110Report Chain Accesses................................................................................ 111Model the GPS Network.............................................................................. 112Define a Complex Chain .............................................................................. 113

Create a Window In the Aircraft .............................................................. 115Now, What Can Eagle Eye See?.................................................................. 117Constrain GPS Sats...................................................................................... 118Report Chain Accesses................................................................................ 119Save Your Work ........................................................................................... 121

Where On Earth Will Three Different Satellites

Provide Simultaneous Coverage? .......................................... 123Problem Statement...................................................................................... 124What Is the STK Data Federate?.................................................................. 125Open an Existing Scenario........................................................................... 126

What Is Coverage?....................................................................................... 127Coverage Definition ..................................................................................... 127Coverage Graphics....................................................................................... 129


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Manage Your Resources.............................................................................. 130How Will I Constrain My Coverage? ............................................................ 131Identify Your Assets..................................................................................... 133Compute Coverage!..................................................................................... 134

Define the Quality of Coverage.................................................................... 135Measure Simple Coverage........................................................................... 135Static Coverage Graphics............................................................................. 135Dynamic Coverage Graphics........................................................................ 136N Asset Coverage........................................................................................ 137Graph Coverage By Latitude ........................................................................ 140

Multiple Asset Coverage.............................................................................. 142Contour Graphics ......................................................................................... 143Static Contours ............................................................................................ 143Dynamic Contours ....................................................................................... 146Measure Coverage Time.............................................................................. 148Report Coverage Time By Grid Point........................................................... 153

Grid Inspector Tool....................................................................................... 153Save Your Work ........................................................................................... 154


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In this exercise you will create a simple scenario that will help you get acquainted with navigating

through the STK Graphical User Interface (GUI) and achieve some key objectives. Upon

completion, you will have had the opportunity to practice the following skills:

Understand the questions that STK answers:

Where am I? What can I see? When can I see it? Create a scenario.

Define the scenario analysis period.

Manage scenarios effectively.

Use the Orbit Wizard.

Insert and position an object using an STK database.

Move around in the 2D and 3D Graphics windows.

Calculate a simple line-of-sight access.

When Can I Spy On Washington From a Molniya

Satellite?


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When Can I Spy On Washington From a Molniya Satellite?

Problem Statement

It is said that the Molniya orbit is a great way to spy on the United States. Duringsuch a spacecrafts two (2) twelve (12) hour daily orbits, how many hours a day can aMolniya satellite actually see Washington?

Break It DownYou have some information that may be helpful. Heres what you know:

There are two players in the scenario--a spacecraft traveling in a Molniya orbitand the city of Washington.

A Molniya orbit has two (2) twelve (12) hour daily orbits.

You want to know if and when a Molniya satellite can see Washington.

SolutionBuild an STKscenario that allows you to calculate a simple line-of-sight accessbetweena spacecraft traveling in a Molniya orbit and Washington, D.C. so that you can tell atwhat points along the spacecrafts orbit it can see Washington.

Welcome To STK!The first thing you need to do is launch STK, and create a new scenario.

1. Double-click the STKicon ( ) on the desktop.

Everything in STKbegins with a scenario. A scenariois STK's name for an instance ofan analytical or operational task being modeled using STK. In STKa scenario isrepresented by an icon of an idealized scene. The STKscenario creates the context,or environment, within which all other objects in the scenario exist. You can createan unlimited number of scenarios with STK, however only one scenario can be openat a time.

When STKlaunches, the Welcomedialog will appear. Using the options available here,you can create new scenarios, open existing scenarios, access the STK Help System,orexit the STKapplication.


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FIGURE 1. Welcome dialog

2. Click the Create a Scenariobutton.

The Welcome dialog also provides an option to disable this feature in the event that youprefer to create and manage scenarios manually. If the Welcomedialog were disabled,you could create a new scenario by either:

Clicking theNewbutton ( ) on the Defaulttoolbar, or

Selecting theNew( ) option from the Filemenu.

Clicking Ctrl + Non the keyboard.

FIGURE 2. Scenario icon

Model the World!When you click the Create a New Scenariobutton, theNew Scenario Wizardappears. You

can input basic information about the scenario here. Lets set the basic parametersfor scenario creation now.

1. Enter the following in theNew Scenario Wizard:


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Analysis PeriodEvery scenario requires that you define the times during which the conditions thatyou set for your world, and the objects in your world, will be relevant. The analysis

perioddefines the epochand the startand stoptimes of your scenario. The analysis perioddefines the general time span (a range of several hours, days, or weeks) for analysis.

By default, times are displayed in UTCG. That being the case, the analysis period willvary based on the time zone to which your computer is set. You can change the timeunit to LCLGto display the analysis period in your current local time. Lets try it.

1. Click theExtend( ) button beside the scenario time.2. Extend theStart Timemenu.3. Extend the Unitsmenu.4. Select LCLGfrom the menu that appears.

What is the current local time?

STKprovides a user-editable default analysis period for every new scenario. Since youare not concerned with determining when Molniya can seeWashington, D.C. on aspecific day at a specific time, but are instead just doing some general analysis, youcan accept the default analysis period for this example.

1. When you finish, click OKto dismiss theNew Scenario Wizard.

2. When the scenario loads, click Save( ).3. Verify the scenario name and location and click Save.

Once a scenariois saved the first time, it will be saved to the same location every time

you click the Savebutton. The Savebutton is always available, and always saves theentire scenario, regardless of the window or object that is selected.

TABLE 1. New Scenario Wizard options

Option Value

Name See_DC

Description Can a Molniya satellite spy on Washington, D.C.?

Location C:\Documents and Settings\\My Documents\STK 10\

Start & Stop

(Analysis Period)

Leave the default analysis period, which is noon today local time

displayed in UTCG (based on your computer time zone) + 24 hours.


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Scenarios

The scenario itself is saved as an object (*.sc) and each object within the scenario(e.g., satellites, facilities, planets, stars, receivers and transmitters, etc.) is savedindividually.

FIGURE 3. Object Browser

When you create a new scenario, STKupdates the Object Browser to include the newscenario and creates the appropriate visualization windows. Once in the Object Browserthe objects can be named and properties can be applied.

Get Off on the Right Foot--Stay OrganizedOnce you begin working with STK, you may create and save several scenarios withmany objects in a short time. The most helpful technique to manage your scenariofiles is to save each scenario into its own folder, and give the folder and the scenario

file (*.sc) the same name as in the example above. Youll find that this simple rule ofthumb will help you to manage your scenarios more efficiently for the followingreasons:

It decreases the likelihood that you will accidentally overwrite your previous work,especially if you have objects with the same names in different scenarios (e.g.several satellites named LEO).


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It helps keep your work organized, so that it is easier to find a given scenario later.

It makes it easier to share your scenarios with others.

When you use theNew Scenario Wizard, STKwill automatically create a new directory inyour default user directory (C:\My Documents\STK 10\)with the same name thatyou input for the scenario name. STKwill then store all of your scenario files asdescribed above. While the new directory is created, the scenario is not saved to thatdirectory until you actually perform the save function. When you save a scenario inSTK, it will save in the format in which it originated. In other words, if you open aVDF, the default save format will be a VDF. The same is true for a scenario file(*.sc). If you want to save a VDFas a scenario file (or vice-versa), you must changethe file format when you are performing the Save Asprocedure.

The Properties BrowserEach STKobject and visualization window has its own set of properties, which areorganized into categories (e.g.,Basic, 2D Graphics,Constraints, etc.). Customizingproperties creates a meaningful environment for the other objects in your scenario.The properties used to define STKobjects are organized in the Properties Browser. Whenyou open the Properties Browseryou will see the properties for whatever object orvisualization window is selected in the STK Workspace.

Accessing Object PropertiesThere are several ways to access object and window properties. You can access objectproperties in one of the following ways:

Double-click the object in the Object Browser.

Right-click the object in the Object Browseror visualization window (2D or 3D), and

select Properties( ) from the menu that appears.

Select an object in the Object Browser, and click the Properties( ) button.

Scenario Basic PropertiesScenario properties customize the conditions of your scenario. Customizing propertiescreates a meaningful environment for the other objects in your scenario. Take a lookat the rest of the scenario Basic properties.

1. Double-click See_DC( ) in the Object Browserto open its properties ( ).


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2. Select the Timepage.

Are the Startand Stoptimes set to those that you set when you created thescenario?

3. Select the Descriptionpage.

Is the description that you provided when you created the scenario in the

Descriptionpage?

4. When you finish, click Cancelto dismiss the scenario properties without makingany changes.

Insert STK Objects ToolWhen a scenario is created, theInsert STK Objects toolappears automatically unless theDo not show me this againoption is enabled. From here, you can begin the object creationand insertion process. The Insert STK Objects toolmakes it easy to insert and configuresome of the most commonly used individual objects. The left-hand pane listscommonly used STKobjects. When you select an object on the left, all of the

methods available for introducing that class of object will be listed on the right. Theprocess and data that you will have to provide will depend on the object class andintroduction method selected.

TABLE 2. Scenario Basic properties

Properties Description

Time

Define the epoch and start and stop times that apply throughout the scenario.

Control the animation cycle, animation step definition, and the intervals

between refresh updates in the graphics windows. Values set here can be

overridden at the subordinate level for certain objects.

Units

Establish the default settings for all units of measure used for display and data

input purposes in a scenario. Selections made here can be overridden locally for

a specific object or for an entire class of objects.

Database Set defaults for available databases.

Earth Data Select an Earth Orientation Parameters (EOP) file.

TerrainImport and display terrain elevation data for facility and target azimuth-

elevation mask and position.

Global

Attributes

Allows the configuration of warning messages for missiles, satellites, and

Aircraft Mission Modeler objects.

Description Record useful information about your scenario.


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FIGURE 4. Insert STK Objects tool

The Insert STK Objects tool can be customized using the options available on theNewObjectpage of theApplication Preferences.

1. Click theEdit Preferences... button.2. Select theNew Objectpage.3. Locate the Define Default Creation Methodsarea.

The Objectslist contains all of the available object in STK. When an object is selected,all of the available methods for creating and configuring that object display in the

Methodlist to the right. You can include or exclude options from the Insert STK Objectstoolby selecting them in the list and enabling or disabling the Show object in insert new objecttool.

4. When you finish, click Cancelto dismiss theNew Object preferences page.

Model a Spacecraft

Now you have a model of a meaningful world, but your world has no objects. Youstill need a spacecraft traveling in a Molniya orbit. In STK, the satellite object is usedto model the properties and behavior of a vehicle in orbit around a central body.

1. Select the following in the Insert STK Objects tool( ):


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2. Click the Insert... button.

When you click the Insert... button, the Orbit Wizardwill appear.

The Orbit WizardThe Orbit Wizardis a satellite level tool designed to assist you in creating any one of

several standard orbits or designing your own satellite orbit. The configurableoptions available will depend on the orbit Typeselected. The orbit types available areoutlined below.

TABLE 3. Insert satellite

Option Value

Select an Object To Be Inserted: Satellite

Select a Method: Orbit Wizard

TABLE 4. Orbit types

Orbit Description

Circular Circular orbits have a constant radius.

Critically InclinedCritically Inclined orbits maintain perigee at a fixed latitude. The line of apsides does not change over

time.

Critically Inclined,

Sun Sync

Critically Inclined Sun Synchronous orbits combine the features of both basic types of orbits. The

orbit uses a retrograde inclination of 116.565 degrees. The satellite will pass overhead at the same

local time for each revolution and has a perigee which remains at a fixed latitude.

Geosynchronous A satellite in a stationary orbit will remain fixed in the sky above the specified fixed longitude.

Molniya

Molniya orbits are highly eccentric, meaning that there is a large difference between the altitude at

apogee and the altitude of perigee. Molniya orbits are also critically inclined. This keeps the perigee of

the orbit in the Southern Hemisphere. Molniya orbits also have a long dwell time in the extreme

latitude regions of the Northern Hemisphere.

Orbit Designer With this option, you can create any orbit you wish.

Repeating Ground Trace

Orbits with repeating ground traces are useful when identical viewing conditions are desired at

different times to detect changes. The ground trace may be caused to repeat every day or to

interweave from day to day before repeating.

Repeating Sun Sync

Sun Sync orbits with repeating ground traces are useful when identical viewing and lighting conditions

are desired at different times to detect changes. The ground trace may be caused to repeat every day

or to interweave from day to day before repeating. The orbit repeats the ground coverage cycle and

passes overhead at approximately the same local time for each revolution.

Sun Synchronous

The effect of the oblateness of the Earth is used to cause the orbit plane to rotate at the same rate at

which the Earth moves in orbit about the Sun. Thus, at the equator, the satellite passes overhead at

the same local time for each revolution.


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No matter which Typeof orbit you select, the Orbit Wizardlets you change the satelliteanalysis period as well as configure and preview satellite graphics before the object is

introduced into the scenario.

FIGURE 5. Orbit Wizard

1. When the Orbit Wizardappears, select the following:

2. Accept all other default values.3. Click OK.

Can you see SpySat in the Object Browser? The 2D Graphics window? 3D?

Model WashingtonIt looks like you have one more object to model--Washington. STKprovides threeobjects that can be used to model a point-of-interest on the surface of the central

body-- Places( ), Facilities( ) and Targets( ). The Placeobject models a point of

TABLE 5. Orbit Wizard options

Option Value

Type Molniya

Satellite Name SpySat


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interest on the surface of the central body. Facilities and targets are almost identical inproperties and behavior. Often, facilities and targets are used to differentiate between

friendlyand unfriendlysites, where a facility marks afriendlysite, and a target marks aunfriendlysite.

Insert a FacilityFacilities can be positioned and repositioned in a variety of ways. For this example,youll use an entry from the STK City Database.

1. Return to the Insert STK Objects tool( ).2. Select the following:


The STK City DatabaseSeveral comprehensive databases are shipped with STKfor your use. The City Databasecontains thousands of cities around the world. Individual city information includesthe exact location of the city. You will use the City Databasetool to model Washington,

D.C.

1. When the City Database Searchtool appears, set the following:

2. Click Search.3. When the search results appear, select Washington(City Name) District of Columbia

(Province).4. Click theInsert button.5. Close the City Database Searchtool.

TABLE 6. Insert facility

Option Value

Select an Object To Be Inserted: Place

Select a Method: From City Database

TABLE 7. City search criteria

Option State Value

City Name On Washington

Province Off N/A

Country Off N/A


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6. You dont need to create any more objects, so you can close the Insert STK Objects

tool( ) now if you like.

2D and 3D VisualizationTwo of the most powerful and indispensable STKtools are the 2Dand 3D Graphics(STKFree Basic edition) windows. Using them, you can visualize your scenario in adynamic 2Dand/or 3Denvironment. Time can be animated forward, backward, andin real-time to display space- and ground-based object positions, coverage areas,visibility status, lighting conditions, and much more.

1. Bring the 2D Graphicswindow to the front.

2. Advance the animation ( ) a few steps until SpySat( ) is clearly visible.

FIGURE 6. 2D View: SpySat position


When a predefined object is imported from an STK databases (satellite, facility,city or star), information about that object is automatically written to its Long

Description.


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FIGURE 7. 3D View: SpySat position

SpySats object marker is positioned according to the current animation time in bothwindows, and its ground (2D) and orbit tracks (2Dand 3D) are clearly visible.

Removing Object GraphicsThere is a quick way to enable and disable the object graphics in the 2Dand 3DGraphicswindow.

1. Right-click SpySat( ) in the Object Browser.2. Select the Show Graphics On/Off togglesoption.

The Show Graphics On/Off togglesoption adds a toggle box beside every object currentlyin the Object Browser. When you enable the Show Graphicsoption, 2D and 3D objectgraphics are visible. Disabling the option removes object graphics from both the 2Dand 3D Graphicswindow. Object graphics are enabled by default.

3. Disable SpySats( ) graphics.

Do you notice that the orbit and satellite icon disappear? Do you notice that only the satellite marker and label disappear? Why is this?

4. Enable SpySats( ) graphics.

Animation PropertiesAnimationproperties are part of the Scenario Basic- Time properties. UsingAnimationproperties you can define the animation cycle, step definition and the intervalsbetween refresh updates in the 2Dand 3DGraphicswindows.


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Animation Cycle

The animation cycledefines a portion of the scenario that you wish to see in motionwhen you animate. Movement of objects within a scenario during any portion of theanalysis periodthat do not fall within the animation cyclewill not display in the visualizationwindows.

1. Play( ) the animation, and watch asMolniya( ) travels along its path.

2. Pause( ) the animation at any point.

Animation ToolbarTheAnimationtoolbar provides controls that allow you to set your scenario in motionin all 2Dand 3D Graphicswindows.

FIGURE 8. Animation toolbar

Take a look at theAnimation toolbar. Notice the date and time display in the editablefield on the toolbar. This is the current animation time. Whenever you resettheanimation, the animation time also resets. If you edit the animation date and timehere, STKwill move all objects so that they are positioned according to the newanimation time.

You can also use the Decrease Time Step( ) and Increase Time Step( ) buttons to changethe pace of the animation. The animation time step will increase or decrease

incrementally each time you click one of the buttons.

3. Try using the Step in Reverse( ) and Step Forward( ) buttons to move SpySat( )along its path a step at a time.

The current step displays in the lower right hand corner of the STK Workspace in thetaskbar. The time step should also display 3D Graphicswindow as an annotation bydefault.

FIGURE 9. STK taskbar

If your satellite disappears, you have animated beyond the analysis period for the

scenario or that object. Reset the animation to restore your objects to their proper

place in time.


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Manipulating the 2D and 3D Graphics Windows

There are several ways to manipulate the view in the 2Dand 3D Graphicswindows.Take a moment to try moving around and focusing on objects.

Magnify an Area on the MapThe Zoom In button can be used to magnify a portion of the selected 2D Graphicswindow or graph.

1. Reset( ) the animation.2. Step Forward( ) until SpySat( ) is clearly visible.3. Select the 2D Graphicswindow.

4. Click the Zoom Inbutton ( ) on the Defaulttoolbar.

5. Click and hold the left mouse button and drag it over the area of the map aroundSpySat( ) in the 2D Graphicswindow.

6. Zoom in ( ) as many times as needed until SpySat( ) is clearly visible.

FIGURE 10. 2D View: SpySat marker

As you can see, SpySatis represented by a generic marker in the 2D Graphicswindow.

Mouse Around in 2DYou can use the mouse to move around in the2D Graphicswindow. Use the mouse toslide the 2D Graphicswindow to get a better look at an area of interest.

Click and hold the left mouse button, then move your mouse around in the 2DGraphicswindow to move the focal point.


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Zoom To SpySat

STKprovides tools for changing your perspective in the 3D Graphicswindow. It isoften helpful to view the events in a scenario from the perspective of a particularobject. Use the Zoom To to center the view in the 3D Graphicswindow on SpySat,and geta better look at the satellite model.

1. Bring the 3D Graphicswindow to the front.2. Right-click SpySatin the Object Browseror in the 3D Graphicswindow.3. Select Zoom To.

4. Check the 3D Graphicswindow. SpySat( ) is now the focal point.

Mouse Around in 3D

You can use the mouse to move around in the3D Graphics

window. Use the mouse tozoom and rotate in the 3D Graphicswindow to get a better look at the satellite objectmodel.

Click and hold the left mouse button, then move your mouse around in the3D Graphicswindow to rotate the focal point.

Click and hold the right mouse button, then move your mouse forward andbackward to zoom in and out.

If your mouse has a click wheel, you can use that to zoom in and out on the 3DGraphicswindow.

FIGURE 11. 3D View: SpySat model

In the 3D Graphicswindow, SpySatis represented by a 3D model.


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Restore the View

1. Reset( ) the animation.

2. Select the 3D Graphicswindow, and click the Home Viewbutton ( ) on the3D Graphicstoolbar to restore the default Earth-centered view.

3. Select the 2D Graphicswindow, and click the Zoom Outbutton ( ) on the Defaulttoolbar as many times as necessary to return the map to its original view.

Report Positional DataUsing the visualization windows, you were able to see the location of SpySatandwatch its position change over time, but suppose you needed more detailed dataabout how SpySatsposition or orbital parameters will change over time?

STKincludes a number of Data Providertools with which you can report and displaydata about objects in one of the four available formats--Report, Dynamic Display, Graph,or Strip Chart.

1. Click the Report & Graph Manager button ( ) on the STK Toolstoolbar.2. Select the following:

3. Click Generate...

STK will generate and display a text report that provides a representation of theSpySatsorbital elements.

4. Using the data in the report, answer the following:

You can also focus the 3D Graphics window on an object-of-interest by holdingdown Shift on your keyboard and double-click on the object-of-interest in the 3D

Graphics window.

TABLE 8. Classical orbital elements report

Option Value

Object Type Satellite

Object (Below Object Type) SpySat

Show Reports On

Show Graphs Off

Style Classical Orbit Elements

Generate as Report/Graph


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What is the inclination of SpySatover time?

5. When you finish, close the Classical Orbit Elements report.6. Close the Report & Graph Manager( ).

When Can SpySat See Washington?You have added two objects to your scenario--one satellite object representing SpySatand one place object representing Washington, D.C.Now, you need to determine whenWashington, D.C.is within the SpySatsline of sight.

Calculating object-to-object visibility in STK is called access. STKwill calculate thetimes one object can access, or see, another object based on position and availabilityinformation that considers timing and constraints if necessary. An accessis defined bythe two objects for which the accessis computed and is calculated FROMthe objectthat is looking for another object TOthe object that it is looking for. Once anaccessis calculated, it maintains a close relationship with the defining objects. If eitherof the defining objects is changed in such a way that the accesstimes may be altered,the accessis automatically recomputed. Also, if either of the defining objects isremoved from the scenario, the accessis automatically removed.

Now determine when SpySatcan see Washingtonby calculating a simple access. Asimple accesswill calculate an unconstrained line-of-sight between the two objects inyour scenario.

1. Click theAccess Toolbutton ( ) on the STK Toolstoolbar.

When you open theAccess tool, you can select both the object from which access willbe calculated and the object(s) to which access will be calculated. The object FROMwhich access will be calculated is selected using theAccess for: option, and all objectsTOwhich access can be calculated is selected in theAssociated Objectslist. You can selectthe object(s) TOwhich youd like to calculate access be selecting them in the list.

2. Ensure that theAccess foroption says SpySat. If not, use the Select Object...option toselect SpySatas the from access object.

3. Select Washington( ) in theAssociated Objectslist.4. Click the Computebutton.

Now, take another look at Washingtonin theAssociated Objectslist. Washingtonis now bold,and an asterisk * appears next to the object to indicate that accesshas been calculatedto that object.


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Access Graphics

Whenever an accessoccurs during animation, each object is outlined and a lineconnects SpySatto Washington.The line provides a clear visual representation of object-to-object visibility.

1. Position the 2Dand 3D Graphicswindows so that you can see them both clearly.

2. Play( ) the animation.

Can you identify accesses from SpySatto Washington?

A portion of SpySatsground track is now thicker and marked in the same color asWashingtons object label. Whenever SpySatis within any marked portion of its path, itwill be able to see Washington.

3. Pause( ) the animation when SpySat( ) has access to Washington( ).

FIGURE 12. 3D View: Access from SpySat to Washington

Can you spot any unexpected accesses?


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FIGURE 13. 2D View: Accesses from SpySat to Washington

Report Access TimesWell, accesshas been calculated, and you can even see that accessoccurs in the 2Dand3D Graphicswindows, but that doesnt tell you what you need to know. You need toknow exactly WHENaccessoccurs. Data providers can return information about whenAND where accessesoccur.

1. Select theAccess tool( ) to bring it to the front.2. Click theAccess... button in the Reportsarea.

STKwill generate and display an accessreport. The accessreport lists the start and stoptime for each instance that SpySatcan see Washington.

3. Take a look at the accessreport, and answer the following questions:

How many periods of accessare there?

Report Data ToolsThe ReportDatawindow contains tools that allow you to adjust the report style whilethe report is open. Lets take a look at the options available on theAccessreport thatyou created.

TABLE 9. Report Data Window options

Button Function Button Function

Save As Text Refresh

Save As .csv Global Report Units


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Start and Stop Times and StepUsing the Startand Stoptimes in the report header, you can limit the data to a selectedportion of the analysis period. The default period for the report is the analysis period.You can also adjust the step to report data in coarser (increase the step) or finer(decrease) increments.

Report UnitsTake a look at the first access.

When does the first accessoccur? What is the duration of the first access?

Thats a lot of seconds. It really doesnt seem to make sense to report this length oftime in seconds, does it? What youd like to know, is how many hours that is. Can youfigure how each duration translates to hours? You dont need to.

1. Select the access report to bring it to the front.

2. Click the Report Unitsbutton ( ) at the top of the report.3. When the Units dialog appears, select Timein the Dimensionslist. You will see that

the default time unit is set to Seconds(sec).4. Select Hours(hr) from theNew Unit Valuelist.5. Click OKto save the change and dismiss the Unitswindow.6. Return to the access report.

Look at the duration values. Theyve all been converted to hours.

Now, you can answer the question that you set out to solve.

For how many hours in one twenty-four hour period could you spy on

Washington, D.C. from a satellite in a Molniya orbit?

7. When you finish, close the access report.

Print Save As Quick Report

Find Save Change to Style

Copy Help

TABLE 9. Report Data Window options

Button Function Button Function


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Where Is SpySat When It Sees DC?

The accessreport that you created assures you that SpySatcan indeed see Washington,and even tells us WHENSpySatcan see Washington; but suppose, for instance, you areoperating some sort of collection sensor attached to SpySatand you want to knowwhere to point the sensor during access. Youd need to know WHERESpySatis withrespect to Washingtonwhen accessoccurs.Accessdata can also give you this information.

1. Select theAccesstool ( ) to bring it to the front.2. Click theAER... button in the Reportsarea.

STKwill generate and display anAER report. TheAER report gives the azimuth,elevation, and range of SpySat, relative to Washington, during each period of access.

3. Use theAERreport to answer the following questions:

When is SpySatfurthest from/closest to Washington? What is the minimum/maximum distance from which SpySatcan see

Washington?

Where Is SpySat When DC Sees Him?Turn things around. Suppose youre in Washington, and you want to know where youcan look to see SpySat. In this case, you would need to calculate accessFROMWashingtonTO SpySat.

1. Select theAccess tool( ) to bring it to the front.2. Click the Select Object... button.

3. Select Washington( ).4. Click OK.

5. Select SpySat( ) in theAssociated Objectslist.6. Click theAER... button in the Reportsarea.7. Use the twoAERreports to answer the following questions:

Is the distance between Washingtonand SpySatdifferent from Washingtonsperspective?

Would you be able to answer your original question if you had calculated dataFROM WashingtonTO SpySat? How can you tell?

8. Close any open reports.

9. Close theAccess Tool( ).


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When You Finish

1. Save( ) your work.

2. Close the scenario ( ).

3. Leave STK( ) open.


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In this exercise you will use your STK expertise to define and assess a complex, real-world

problem, and then model and analyze that problem in STK. Upon completion, you will have had

the opportunity to practice the following skills:

Understand the STK paradigm, Scenario Basic properties, and the Properties Browser.

Build a scenario that models a real-world problem.

Use object Constraints properties to model real-world limitations.

Use 2D & 3D Graphics to visualize real-world constraints.

Where Is the Space Station, Now?


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Problem Statement

Its exciting to be able to see a satellite moving in the night sky - even more so whenits the International Space Station(ISS). Youd like to determine when you can see the ISSfrom your present location (call itMyHouse) when it flies overhead within the nextthree (3) weeks.

Break it DownYou have some information that may be helpful. Heres what you know:

You will start looking for ISStomorrow.

You are interested in passes that occur over the next three weeks (21 days).

You can see ISS with the naked eye from the ground when it is illuminated.

You can see ISS with the naked eye when it is dark on the ground.

When you are on the ground trying to see something in space, the lower you lookalong the horizon, the more atmosphere you have to look through and the betterthe chance that something will be in the way.

It is often effective, when building STKscenarios, to start from the ground and workyour way up. Make an outline of how you might build an STKscenario.

I. Model the World

A. Define the analysis period of interestB. Save the scenario to a unique folderC. Add Terrain and imagery

II. Populate the World

A. Model facilities, cities, targets, and area targetsB. Model ground vehicles, ships, and submarinesC. Model aircraft and air breathing missilesD. Model missiles, launch vehicles, and satellites

III. Personalize Your World

A. Model payloads (sensors or radar) and comms (transmitters and receivers)B. Set ConstraintsC. Set Accesses, Chains, and Coverage

IV. Analyze the Relationship of Objects in Your World

A. Where am I?B. What can I see?C. When can I see it?


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Solution

Build a scenario that allows you to calculate a simple line-of-sight access betweenMyHouse and the International Space Station(ISS) that considers lighting and elevationlimitations.

Model the World!This scenario might be used a hundred times from various locations at various times.The specific date isnt important. It is more important that you get information thatlets you know when you can see the ISS right now. That being the case, it seems likeit might be a real time saver to set the scenario start time to Today.

Lets try it!

1. Click the Create a New Scenariobutton.2. Enter the following in theNew Scenario Wizard:

If the default start of the analysis period is already todays date at noon(displayed in UTCG), why do I need to change it to Today?

Scenario Analysis PeriodYou can set the scenario analysis period by typingNow, Today, Tomorrow, or +/-aspecified number of days or weeks in the appropriate fields. These settings referencethe current date and time based on your computer's internal clock. If you save ascenario that includes these settings, the analysis period is updated every time thescenario is opened to correspond to the current date and time.

3. When you finish, click OK.

4. When the scenario loads, click Save( ).


Option Value

Name Where_Is_ISS

Description When will ISS be visible over the next three (3) weeks?


Start Today

Stop + 21 days

You can click the drop-down arrow beisde the Start and Stop options, to expose a

drop-down menu of available times, dates, formats, and units.


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A folder with the same name as your scenario is created for you in the locationspecified above.

5. Verify the scenario name and location and click Save.

Model My HouseThe Insert STK Objects tooloffers a variety of methods for introducing different types oflocations. For this example, it will be sufficient to mark the location of your house.We will call the location,MyHouse. An easy way to introduce a location is to create theobject using the place location address search tool.

1. Bring the Insert STK Objects tool( ) to the front.

2. Select the following:

3. Click the Insert... button.4. Enter the address where you are currently taking this class or the address of your

home.5. Select your town or address when the search results appear.

6. Click theInsert Place(s) button to use that entry to insert an STK Place object ( )representingMyHouseinto the current scenario.

7. Close the Insert by Address search tool.

8. Rename the new Placeobject ( )MyHouse.

Renaming ObjectsSTKprovides a variety of options for renaming objects in the Object Browser.

Select the object, and click the name of the object to make it editable.

Right-click the object and select Renamefrom the context menu that appears

Select the object in theObject Browser, and click the F2button on your keyboard.

By default, new facilities are inserted at the latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates

of AGI headquarters near Philadelphia. If you are at AGI headquarters, select Insert

Default as the method to position the facility at that location.

TABLE 2. Insert place

Option Value


Select a Method: Search by Address


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Can I See My House on the Bing Maps Overlay?

Now that you have your house inside STK, lets take a look at what it might look likein the 2Dand 3D Graphicswindow usingMicrosoft Bing Maps.

ThroughAGIs partnership withMicrosoft, STK/TIMusers can stream global high-resolutionMicrosoft Bing Mapsraster imagery onto their STK,AGI Viewer, and STK Engine3D globes. You can select from different data sets (e.g. aerial imagery, roads, etc.) toprovide enhanced situational awareness.


2. Click theMicrosoft Bing Maps( ) icon.3. Select theAerialoption.4. Click OK.

Change Your PerspectiveLets get a closer look atMyHousein the 3D Graphicswindow.

1. Zoom ToMyHouse( ) in the 3D Graphicswindow.

2. Mouse around in the window to get a better look atMyHouse( ).

FIGURE 1. 3D View: MyHouse

Get a Better Look


2. Zoom( ) as many times as needed untilMyHouse( ) is clearly visible.


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FIGURE 2. 2D View: MyHouse

Model ISSYou can also introduce predefined satellite models based on database entries.

1. Return to the Insert STK Objects tool( ).2. Select the following:


The STK Satellite DatabaseThe Satellite Databaseis another database tool shipped with STKfor your use. Theunclassified Satellite Databasethat comes with basic STKis published by USSTRATCOM.This database contains positional data for thousands of satellites in the form of two-line element sets (TLE). You will use the Satellite Databasetool to model ISS.

Lets see if you can find a database entry for ISS, and use it to insert an STKsatelliteobject ( ).

1. When the Satellite Database Searchtool appears, select the Localtab.2. Set the following in the Satellite Search Criteria:

TABLE 3. Insert satellite

Option Value

Select an Object To Be Inserted: Satellite

Select a Method: From Standard Object Database


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3. Click Search.

By default, when you insert a satellite using Satellite Databaseentries, ephemeris ispropagated using the analysis period and the SGP4propagator.

4. Select the ISSentry (25544).5. Click Insert to introduce an STKsatellite object ( ) representing ISSinto the

scenario.6. Close the Satellite Database Searchtool.7. You dont need to create any more objects, so you can close the Insert STK Objects

tool( ) now if you like.

Satellite PropertiesLets take a look at the properties for the satellite imported from the database.

1. Double-click ISS_25544( ).

2. Ensure that the Basic- Orbitpage is selected.3. Click the Preview... button in the TLE Sourcearea.

A window that displays the two-line element (TLE) information that will be used topropagate the SGP4satellite will appear. Feel free to discuss the various TLE datawith your instructor.

4. When you finish, click OKto dismiss the TLE Previewwindow.

5. Leave ISS_25544s ( ) properties open.

When Can I See ISS From My House?You have two objects in your scenario, one satellite representing ISS and one facilityrepresentingMyHouse. You need to know when ISSis withinMyHousesline-of-sight.Calculate a simple access to determine when you can see the ISS. You will be lookingfor an azimuth as close to 90 degrees as possible. This represents when the ISS isdirectly overhead. Perfect for viewing the bright space station.

1. Click theAccess tool button ( ) on the STK Tools toolbar.

TABLE 4. Satellite search criteria

Option State Value

Common Name On ISS

SSC Number Off N/A

Propagation TLE

Source

N/A Online: AGI Server


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2. Set theAccess Foroption toMyHouse( ).

3. Select ISS_25544( ) in theAssociated Objectslist.4. Click theAccess...button in the Reportsarea.

STKwill generate and display anAccessreport. TheAccessreport that you created tellsyou WHENaccess occurs. Knowing whento look for ISS is helpful, but you also wantto know whereto look for ISS. See if you can determine WHEREISSis with respect to

MyHousewhen access occurs.

5. Select theAccesstool ( ) to bring it to the front.6. Click theAER... button in the Reportsarea.

7. Close theAccesstool ( ).8. Leave theAccessandAERreports open.

TheAccessreport lists the start and stop time for each instance that ISS is within

MyHouses line-of-sight. TheAERreport gives the azimuth, elevation, and range of ISSduring each period of access.

9. Take a look at theAccessandAERreports that you created.10. Note the answers to these questions:

How many accesses are there? What is the total duration of all the accesses? What is the elevation range of the accesses?

Model Real World Conditions

According to the information that you have, you can only see ISSwith the naked eyefrom the ground when it is in direct sun and when it is dark inMyHouse. Take anotherlook at the times whenMyHousecan seeISS.

Are these access times useful to you? How can you ensure that STK will only provide access times that meet your

criteria?

The Access For object will automatically be set to the object selected in the Object

Browser.

Access is automatically computed when you generate any type of Access report,

graph, or display. You do not need to click the Compute button before generating

data from the Access tool


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In order to model realistic system limitations, STKprovides constraints. Constraintsallow you to place limitations on the performance of objects. STKprovides severaldifferent types of constraints. The types of constraints available will depend on theobject on which the constraint is being imposed.

All constraints work in anANDconfiguration meaning that when multipleconstraints are set, they must all be satisfied in order for an access to occur (e.g.,Basic constraints AND Sun constraints AND Temporal constraints,... must all besatisfied in order for an access to occur). If any single constraint is violated, thataccess is invalidated.

Constrain the ISS

Your list says you can only seeISS

with the naked eye from the ground when thespacecraft is in direct sun. You need to exclude access that occur when ISSisNOTindirect sunlight because although it will pass over you, it wont be illuminated suchthat you will be able to see it from the ground with the naked eye.

Sky LightingYou can use a Sunconstraint to model this limitation. Sun Constraints enable you toimpose lighting constraints based on the position of the Sun and Moon. When aLightingoption is set, it indicates that access to an object, which uses one or moreconstraints, is valid only under these specified lighting conditions.

1. Open ISS_25544s ( ) properties ( ).2. Select the Constraints- Sunpage.3. Enable the Lightingoption towards the bottom of the page.4. Select Direct Sunfrom the adjacent list.

5. Click OKto accept the changes, and dismissISS_25544s ( ) properties ( ).

Now, When Can I See ISS?The lighting constraint ensures that ISSwill be considered in your analysis only whenit is in direct sun. See how that has affected your access.

1. Bring theAccess...report to the front.

2. Refresh ( or F5) the Report Datawindow.3. Bring theAER...report to the front.

4. Refresh ( or F5) the Report Datawindow.

5. Take a look at the accessandAERreports that you created.6. Note the answers to the following questions:

How many accesses are there?


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What is the total duration of the accesses? Do accesses occur during daylight hours?

Change to Local TimeYour default report access times are in Universal Time(UTCG). You want to change thetime to the local time. This will simulate the current conditions inMyHouse.

1. Select theAERreport to bring it to the front.

2. Click the ReportUnitsbutton ( ) at the top of the Report Datawindow.3. When the Unitsdialog appears, select DateFormatin the Unitslist. You will see that

the default time unit is set to Gregorian UTC(UTCG).4. Select Gregorian LCL(LCLG) from the Change Unit Valuelist.5. Click OKto save the change and dismiss the Unitswindow.6. Return to theAccessreport.

7. Take a look at the access andAERreport.

Now, do accesses occur between sunset and sunrise?

Constrain MyHouseYour list says you can only see ISSwith the naked eye when it is dark inMyHouse. Youneed to exclude accesses that occur during daylight hours inMyHouse because,although the ISSwill pass over you, it won't be dark enough inMyHouseto spot ISSfrom the ground with the naked eye.

Ground LightingFor your analysis, you needMyHouseto be available only at night. To model thelighting conditions you need to impose a separate constraint onMyHousebased on theposition of the Sun.

1. OpenMyHouses ( ) properties ( ).2. Select the Constraints- Sunpage.3. Enable the Lightingoption.4. Select Umbra(no sun light) from the adjacent list.

5. ClickApply. Do not close the properties ( ).

Gregorian LCL is dependent on your system clock and time zone. If MyHouse is

located in a time zone other than the one your computer is set to, the resulting

access times would be invalid.


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When Can I See ISS From MyHouse?

ConstrainingMyHouseensures that it will be considered in your analysis only when itis totally shadowed from the sun. Check to see how that has affected access to ISS.




5. Take a look at the accessandAERreportsthat you created.6. Note the answers to the following questions:

How many accesses are there?

What is the total duration of the accesses? How did applying a lighting constraint to MyHouse affect accesses? At what elevation does the first access occur?

Elevation Angle ConstraintsYou know that when you are on the ground trying to see something in space thelower you look along the horizon the more atmosphere you have to look through andthe better the chance that something will be in the way. To help avoid the elevationangle problem, STKallows you to put an elevation angle constraint on a ground-based location. A good typical minimum elevation is 6-8 degrees, but it can be moredepending on the area, the surrounding terrain, and even buildings.

To model a more realistic representation ofMyHouses( ) availability, impose aminimum elevation angle constraint.

1. Return toMyHouses( ) properties ( ).2. Select the Constraints- Basicpage.3. Enable theMinoption in theElevation Anglearea.4. Enter 6 degin the adjacent textbox.

5. Click OKto accept the changes, and dismissMyHouses( ) properties ( ).

Now, When Can I See ISS?

The elevation angle constraint models a more realistic representation ofMyHousesavailability. Check to see how that has affected the number of accesses.





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How many accesses are there? What is the total duration of the accesses?

How did applying an elevation angle constraint to MyHouse affect accesses?

5. When you finish, close all open report windows.

Where Am I?Now, you have data that lets you know exactly where and when to look for ISSfrom

MyHouse, but wouldnt it be nice if you could visually identify when the accesses occurand when the constraints that youve set are valid? That would give you a nice visualrepresentation of accesses.

Accessing Window PropertiesSuppose you wanted to change the properties of a visualization window itself? Whatif you needed to adjust the lighting display in the window and not just for an object,or change the central body? Every visualization window (2Dand 3D) has its ownproperties just like STKobjects. Properties for windows have their own PropertiesBrowserwhich is accessed in the same manner as object properties.

You can access window properties on one of the following ways:

Right-click anywhere in the window, and select Properties( ) from the menu thatappears.

Click the Properties( ) button on the toolbar that corresponds to the window

whose properties you would like to access.

Lighting Conditions in the 2D Graphics WindowYou can set lighting conditions in the 2D Graphicswindow that will provide a visualrepresentation of how the lighting constraints that you set are affecting the objects inyour scenario.

1. Select the 2D Graphicswindow to bring it to the front.

2. Open the 2D Graphicswindow properties ( ).3. Select the Lightingpage.4. Enable theSunlight - Show Outlineoption.

5. Enable theSubsolar Point - Show option.6. Click OK.

When you display outlines on the map in the 2D Graphicswindow, lighting conditionsare displayed on the surface of the Earth. ISS is several kilometers above the Earth,so the times at which it crosses the solar terminator in the 2D Graphicswindow will


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not be exact, but they do provide a general idea of the lighting conditions for ISS. Ifyou want to display exact lighting for ISS, you can use the 3D Graphicswindow.

Get Moving!The ISSobject marker is positioned according to the current animation time in bothwindows, and its ground and orbit tracks are clearly visible.

1. Ensure that the 2Dand 3D Graphicswindow are clearly visible in your STKWorkspace.

2. Play( ) the animation.3. Watch as your objects move along in the 2D Graphicswindow as animation

progresses.

Can you identify the approximate times when ISS moves in and out of periodsof sunlight?

1. Reset( ) the animation again


3. Pause( ) the animation when you see an access.

FIGURE 3. 2D View: Access from MyHouse to ISS

4. Now, check the time in theAnimationtoolbar.

FIGURE 4. Animation toolbar during access from MyHouse to ISS

Does that time show up on your access report?


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5. Close any remaining Report Datawindows.

Change Your Perspective


2. Right-click ISS_25544( ) in the Object Browser.3. Select Zoom To.

4. Mouse around in the window to get a better look at ISS_25544( ).

The ISSsatellite looks quite different than the default satellite. If you load a satelliteusing the Satellite Databasetool, information for the inserted satellite appears on theDescriptionpage of its basic properties, and when available, the appropriate 3D modelis also loaded.

FIGURE 5. 3D View: ISS model


Is ISS always in sunlight when access occurs?

The time of access will be different in your report because your scenario is basedon relative time (Today +\-).


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Save Your Work


2. Save( ) your work.

3. Close the scenario ( ).

4. Leave STK( ) open.


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In this exercise you will use your STK expertise to define and assess a complex, real-world

problem, and then model and analyze that problem in STK. Upon completion, you will have had

the opportunity to practice the following skills:

Understand and manipulate 2D object and window properties.

Model and manipulate multiple objects simultaneously.

Model an area-of-interest on the surface of the central body.

Model land- and sea-based Great Arc vehicles.

Define and manipulate a vehicle route.

Use the Message Viewer and Status Bar to aid in definition and analysis of an object.

How Is the Reception On My Satellite Radio

Outside the Continental U.S.?


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How Is the Reception On My Satellite Radio Outside the Continental U.S.?

Problem Statement

In this exercise, youre going to take a little trip. You are a naval officer who justgraduated from theNaval Postgraduate Schoolin Monterey, CA. You got a Sirius XM Radiofor graduation. After graduation, you need to drive from Monterey to San Diego toship out for Causeway Bay, Hong Kongon the USS Reagan. You have a friend who lives onthe Big Islandof Hawaii. The USS Reagan is scheduled to dock briefly on the Big Island.Youd like to know if youll be able to use your new satellite radio in Hong Kongorshould you leave it on the Big Islandwith your friend?

Break it DownYou have some information that may be helpful. Heres what you know:

You will leaveMontereytoday at noon local time (displayed in UTCG) on

graduation day. To get to San Diego, you will drive down the Pacific Coast Highwaytraveling at about 50

m.p.h.

Your trip to San DiegofromMontereywill take about seven and a half (7.5) hours.

You ship out of San Diegofor Causeway Bay, Hong Kongtomorrow morning at 8 a.m.local time daylight savings time (displayed in UTCG).

The USS Reagan will dock on theBig Islandof Hawaiibriefly.

Your friend lives on the Big Islandof Hawaii.

Your satellite radio must be able to communicate with the satellite radio Sirius XMRadiosatellites XM-3 (Rhythm), XM-4 (Blues), SIRIUS-1, SIRIUS-2, SIRIUS-3to work.

SolutionBuild a scenario representing your travels fromMontereyto Hong Kong. This will includetwo separate trips--the trip fromMontereyto San Diego, and then from San Diegoto HongKong(including a momentary port on the Big Island of Hawaii), and then determine ifyour new satellite radio will work for the duration of your trip.

Model the World!If everything goes according to schedule:

You leaveMontereyToday at nine (9) A.M Pacific Standard Time (displayed inUTCG).

It takes about seven and a half (7.5) hours to get fromMontereyto San Diego.

It takes about 14 days to get from San Diegoto Hong Kong, China.

You make a short stop on the Big Islandof Hawaiiwhile aboard the USS Reagan.

It looks like a 14 day analysis period should be more than enough time to encompassall that you need to accomplish.


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1. Click the Create a Scenariobutton.2. Enter the following in theNew Scenario Wizard:

3. When you finish, click OK.

4. When the scenario loads, click Save( ).

A folder with the same name as your scenario is created for you in the locationspecified above.

5. Verify the scenario name and location and click Save.

Model Locations On the GroundYou have a world, and a defined period for analysis. You need to add objects thatmodel locations and vehicles that youll need. According to what you know there arefour locations of interest on the ground:

1. Monterey

2. San Diego3. The Big Island of Hawaii

4. Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

Use the object insertion tool to model facility objects representing the start (Monterey)and destination (San Diego)locations for the first leg of your journey, as well as your

final destination (Hong Kong). These entries should also be available via the STK CityDatabase.

1. Bring the Insert STK Objects tool( ) to the front.2. Select the following:


Option Value

Name Rock_the_Boat

Description Hows the reception on my satellite radio outside the continental U.S.?


Start Today at 16:00:00.000 UTCG

Stop + 14 days

You can click the drop-down arrow beisde the Start and Stop options, to expose a

drop-down menu of available times, dates, formats, and units.


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California CitiesFirst, lets add your start location--Monterey,Californiaand your destination location--SanDiego, California.

1. When the City Database Searchtool appears, set the following:

2. Click Search.

3. When the search results appear, select theMontereyentry hold down the Ctrlkeyand select the San Diegoentry.

4. Click the Insertbutton.

Hong KongNow add your final destination location--Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, China.

1. Return to the City Database Searchtool.2. Set the following:

TABLE 2. Object insertion options

Option Value


Select a Method: From City Database


Option State Value

City Name On *

Province On California

Country Off N/A

Auto Select Color On N/A

Enabling the Auto Select Color option ensures that each city is assigned a unique

color for display in the visualization windows.

You may get a warning telling you that only the first 2000 results will display in the

search window. Click OK to dismiss the warning.


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3. Click Search.4. When the search results appear, select the Causeway Bayentry.5. Click Insert6. When you finish, close the City Database Searchtool.

Model an Area-Of-InterestNow, you need to model the location of your ships first stop as well as the locationwhere your friend lives--the Big Islandof Hawaii. Assume that if you leave your satelliteradio with your friend in Hawaii, theyll want to use it all over the island (e.g., at thebeach, in the car, etc.) and not just in one city. That being the case, youll want tomodel the entire Big Island of Hawaii.

Just as STKprovides objects that can be used to represent a specific point-of-intereston the surface of the central body, it also provides an object that can be used to

model an area-of-intereston the surface of the central body-- an area target( ).

1. Return to the Insert STK Objects tool( ).

2. Select the following:


STKcomes with predefined area target objects representing all countries and each ofthe U.S. states. These predefined objects can be imported into an STKscenario and

used to represent various regions-of-interest on the surface of the central body.Youll use one of the predefined area targets to model the Big Islandof Hawaii.

4. When the selection dialog appears, select the following:


Option State Value

City Name On *

Province Off N/A

Country On Hong Kong

TABLE 5. Create an area target

Option Value

Select an Object To Be Inserted: Area Target

Select a Method: Select Countries And US States


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5. Locate and select Hawaii, United Statesin the list.6. Enable the Primary Area Onlyoption in the Insertarea.

Hawaii is a collection of islands represented by several different area targets in STK--each island, including the Big Island, is a separate polygon. Selecting Primary Areas Onlyduring the creation process, will insert only one area target representing the Big

Island of Hawaii when you click the Insertbutton. If you had selectedAll Areas, an areatarget representing each one of the Hawaiian islands would be imported when youclick Insert.

7. Click the Insertbutton.8. Close the area target selection dialog.

Get a Better Look!Sometimes it is helpful, or even necessary, to remove background distractions fromthe visualization window when using them to define objects. Up until now, youveused 2D Graphics propertiesto define the display of objects in the 2D Graphicswindow.

Zoom To It!


2. Zoom Tothe Hawaii( ) area target in the 3D Graphicswindow.3. Mouse around until you get a clear view of the Big Island.

TABLE 6. Area target list selection options

Option State

List Selections

Countries Off

US States On

Other Features Off


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FIGURE 1. 3D View: Hawaii area target

4. Look at the outline of the Hawaii( ) area target against the globe in the 3DGraphicswindow.

Why doesnt the outline of the Hawaii area target match the imagery on theglobe?

The predefined area targets that are shipped with STKare now based on GIS datamaking them incredibly accurate. The image laid on the globe in the 3D Graphicswindow, although very accurate, is simply an image overlay and not as accurate as theGIS shapefile.

2D Graphics WindowTheImagery properties control the appearance of the map in the 2D Graphicswindow.Change the map background and turn on some borders so that you can focus on thelocations of interest more clearly.

1. Open the2D Graphicswindowpropertiesbutton ( ).2. Select the Imagerypage.3. Select a new map background using the ImageFileoption in the BackgroundImage

area.4. ClickApplyeach time you select a new map background to see it in the 2D Graphics

window.5. After exploring some of the available map backgrounds, disable the Show Image

option.

Enable the State Boundaries in 2D

1. Select the Detailspage.


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2. Select RWDB2_Provincial_Borders(state boundaries) in the Itemslist.3. Select RWDB2_International_Bordersin the Itemslist.

4. Click OK.

The map image will be removed from the map, and the 2D Graphicswindow will havea solid background. Only objects and outlines will be visible.

FIGURE 2. 2D View: Black map with provincial borders only

2D ZoomThe first portion of your journey has you driving fromMontereyto San Diego. Before

you define the route fromMontereyto San Diego, get a better look at those twolocations. Looking at this from a world view its really difficult to separate the twoCalifornia locations. They look like theyre all bunched up on top of each other.

Zoom Inon the map in the 2D Graphicswindowso thatMontereyand San Diegoare clearlyvisible but distinctly separate. This will help you pinpoint the beginning and end ofyour route more accurately.

1. Select the 2D Graphicswindow.

2. Click the Zoom Inbutton ( ) on the Defaulttoolbar.3. Click and hold the left mouse button and drag it over the area of the map around

Monterey( ) and San Diego( ) in the 2D Graphicswindow.

Change the Marker StyleNow, your objects stand out on the map more, but its still hard to pinpoint the exactlocations ofMonterey, San_Diego, and Hong Kong. Change the appearance of the placemarkers in the 2D Graphicswindow so that a generic marker is used.


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1. Hold down the Ctrlkey on your keyboard.

2. While holding the Ctrlkey down, select all three place objects ( ) in the ObjectBrowser.

3. Click the Propertiesbutton ( ) on the Defaulttoolbar to open the properties for allthree objects.

4. Select the 2D Graphics-Attributespage.5. Change theMarker Styleoption to * (asterisk).6. Click OK.

It should look something like this:

FIGURE 3. 2D View: Zoom to California

Ground Vehicles In STKIt looks like youve defined all relevant points-of-interest on the ground, but now youneed a way to get from point to point. You need to model the various vehicles thatwill take you fromMontereyto Hong Kong.

Youll useground vehiclesto move around on the ground in STK. Great Arc vehicles travelalong the surface of the central body. The route of a Great Arc vehicleis defined withrespect to the central body at a specified altitude. Three types of Great Arc vehicles--aircraft, ships, andground vehicles--are available in STK.

When you insert an undefined vehicle object, essentially you insert an empty shell.Although all STKobjects are inserted with default properties defined, vehicles mustbe propagated before they become active because they are moving objects. Topropagate means to cause to move in some direction, so when you propagate a Great

Arc vehicleit has a defined route.

Three types of propagators are available for Great Arc vehicles:


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Model Ground TransportationYour first vehicle will take you fromMontereyto San Diego. Heres what you know:

You will leaveMontereytoday at nine (9) A.M. local time (displayed in UTCG) ongraduation day.

To get to San Diego, you will drive down the Pacific Coast Highwaytraveling at about 50m.p.h.

Youll travel the first leg of your journey in some sort of car or truck. In STK, groundvehicles can be used to model vehicles, such as automobiles, trucks, and trains. Youllinsert an STK Ground Vehicleto model the truck in which you will be cruising down thePacific Coast Highwayto San Diego.

1. Return to theInsert STK Objects tool

( ).2. Select the following:


4. Rename the new ground vehicle object Cruiser( ).

When STKcreates an object using the Define Propertiesmethod, it will automaticallyopen its properties for you.

Define a RouteRoute properties for Great Arcvehicles allow you to define the path that the vehiclewill follow.

TABLE 7. Propagators for Great Arc vehicles

Propagator Description

GreatArcThe Great Arc propagator is used exclusively for Great Arc vehicles in STK. It defines a point-by-

point path over the surface of the central body with position and altitude defined at each point.

STKExternal

The STKExternal propagator is available for all vehicles in STK. It allows you to read the ephemeris

for a vehicle from a file. The file must be in ephemeris file format (*.e). A detailed description of the

ephemeris file format can be found in STK Help.

RealTimeThe Real Time propagator is available for all vehicles in STK. It allows you to propagate vehicle

ephemeris using near-real-time data received over a Connect socket.

TABLE 8. Create a Ground Vehicle

Option Value

Select an Object To Be Inserted: Ground Vehicle

Select a Method: Insert Default


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1. Open Cruisers( ) properties ( ).2. Ensure that the Basic- Routepage is selected.3. Ensure that the Propagatoroption is set to GreatArc.4. With the Routepage open, click the *Montereymarker on the map in the

2D Graphicswindow to begin Cruisers ( ) route.

When the Routepage is open, every time you click on the map in the 2D Graphicswindow, STKwill define a waypoint along the vehicles route that corresponds to thecoordinates on the map. The waypoint will be recorded in the table at the bottom ofthe Routepage. Each row of values in the table describes a single waypoint in thevehicles route.

5. Return to the Routepage.

6. Double-click the Speedentry for the first waypoint to make it editable.7. Change the Speedvalue to 50 mi/hr. Dont forget to include the mi/hr unitabbreviation.

8. Press theEnterkey on your keyboard.

The speed value will automatically be converted to kilometers per second (the defaultDistanceand Time Unitsset at the scenario level). All subsequent points will use the new

speed.

9. Click the * San_Diegomarker, in the 2D Graphicswindow, to end Cruisers ( ) route.

Refine Your RouteTake a look at Cruisers route in the 2D Graphicswindow. It appears that, to get from*Montereyto * San_Diego you will have to drive through the ocean for a bit. How aboutyou fix that.

In STK, Mph is not an acceptable abbreviation for miles per hour. Enter values in

miles per hour using the mi/hr unit abbreviation.


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FIGURE 4. 2D view: CruiserCruisers route

1. Return to the Routepage.2. Select the first waypoint in the table.3. Click the Insert Pointbutton to the right of the table. A new waypoint will be added

below the first