Methods of mission analysis, design and validation for lunar exploration based on STK

In order to reduce the cost and improve the research efficiency of lunar exploration during the mission design phase, an approach using STK software was proposed for mission analysis, design and validation. First, trajectory design of the lunar probe was discussed based on differential correction. Then the problems of validating the design result of patched conic technique were analyzed and considerations were listed when using STK for that purpose. Finally, addressing on the inconveniences in STK when it was used to set the lunar point and the motion of lunar rover vehicle, an external file importing method was employed, and the lighting and station coverage of lunar point was analyzed by this method. The simulation results show that the methods proposed can realize efficiently in the mission analysis, design and validation of the lunar exploration.