Stereo separation and ΔV Monte Carlo analyses

STEREO (Solar-TErestrial RElations Observatory) is the third mission in the Solar Terrestrial Probes program (STP) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The spacecraft were simultaneously launched employing a single Delta II launch vehicle. STEREO is the first mission to utilize phasing loops and multiple lunar flybys to alter the trajectories of m ore than one satellite. This paper describes the pre-launch Monte Carlo runs performed to understand the impact of errors on the separation sequence and on the Delta V budget.