Orbital Optimiser

This project was developed to explore orbital modelling and optimisation techniques, and has been incrementally improved as I refined my approach.

I modelled orbital motion using higher-order numerical integration (RK4) to ensure accuracy. Starting and target conditions were defined using orbital parameters and converted into the simulation frame using rotation matrices.

Building on this foundation, I implemented a naive Monte Carlo optimisation method to evaluate control inputs. Candidate inputs were sampled and tested to determine which produced a trajectory closest to the desired orbital position at a target time.

This approach demonstrated the feasibility of optimisation within the simulation, while also highlighting limitations in efficiency and convergence.

Planned improvements include modelling J2 orbital perturbations and implementing more advanced optimisation methods to improve performance and accuracy.