STK CONJUNCTION ANALYSIS TOOLThe Conjunction Analysis
Tool (CAT) determines
time windows inwhich the launch oroperation of a space
object is affected by theproximity of another
orbiting object.
Unprecedented
computation speed
Pre-filtering of orbit elements enable CAT toquickly exclude space objects that cannot
possibly have a close approach due to theirorbit shape, distance between orbits, and therelative passage times when each object isclose to the orbit of the other.
Using pre-filters provides unprecedented
computation speed without reducing fidelity
by decreasing the number of objects forwhich STK generates ephemeris data for the
final stage of proximity calculation.

Error ellipsoids for close
approach analysis
Error ellipsoids (threat volumes) moreaccurately model the uncertainty in theposition of both the desired spacecraft
and those that may have potential
close approaches.
All secondary objects computed as close
approaches with the primary object, as
well as the associated close approachtime intervals, can be added to STK
for further analysis.

Leverages satellite database
CAT ensures the analysis is always
up-to-date by taking advantage of
the NORAD TLE database of morethan 15,000 orbiting objects.
•	Perform close-approach or laserclearing analysis against the entire
database in seconds.
•	Select portions of the database or
create your own.

3D visualization of error volumes
The error ellipsoid for each primary andsecondary (those in the Satellite database)are displayed in 3D.
•	Error ellipsoids change from green toyellow to red during close approaches.
•	Click on any ellipsoid for quick
identification and retrieval fromthe database.

CAT analysis tool options
CAT provides four analysis options:•	Close Approach•	Advanced CAT•	LaserCAT•	Launch Window Analysis

Close Approach toolComputes close approaches on a single
selected satellite, missile, or launch vehicle.
This tool is used to define a fixed error
ellipsoid (tangential, cross-track and normalcomponents) for the primary object and all of
the secondary objects.

Advanced CAT tool
Performs close approach analyses for multiple
satellites and datasets at a time with variablethreat volume definitions.

Variable threat volume types. Fixed, OrbitClass, Quadratic, Quadratic Orbit Class,Covariance, and CovOffset.
Related objects file. Used to exclude objects
that are supposed to be near the primaryobject(s) from calculation.
SSC hard body radius file. Used to specify
the size of objects being analyzed.
Nonlinear probability tool. Used tocompute conjunction probability for
nonlinear relative motion. It is used
to test for linear relative motion andprovides two methods for computing
conjunction probability - adjoining
parallelepipeds (bundles) andadjoining tubes (cylinders).

LaserCAT tool
Assesses the potential of an unintended
illumination of a satellite during a given
laser run or within a lasing window.
Exclusion half-angle. Defines the safety
cone used in determining whether yourlaser operations come too close to other
orbiting objects.
At risk file. Speeds computation andenables you to focus your LaserCAT analysis
on satellites that are truly vulnerable toinadvertent lasing and ignore other orbiting
objects in the database, such as debris androcket parts.
Potential victims report. Identifies thespace objects that will be within the safety

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cone around the beam during the operating
period of the laser. Each object is clearly
identified along with the time periods
that it is at risk
Clear firing report. Identifies the time
periods when the laser may be used toilluminate the desired object while ensuringthat no other space objects have entered thesafety cone around the beam.

Launch Window Analysis toolThis tool is used to evaluate an entire launch
window for safe and unsafe launch intervals.
Reports and graphs. Blackouts andClear Intervals.
Graphics options. Launch Area, Blackout
Track, Clear Interval Tracks, and Minimum
Range Tracks.

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