Graphical reports of the results produced by MAne include the ecliptic projection of spacecraft and ephemeris body orbits. MAnE also provides utility programs to map single leg trajectories over ranges of departure and arrival dates and to produce contour charts from these maps. Most utility programs included in MAnE produce both textual and graphical reports. Once the terminal heliocentric velocities are known, the velocities relative to the terminal body are evaluated and equated to planetocentric conditions at infinity. It is generally regarded as sufficiently accurate for purposes of preliminary mission analysis and for propulsion system sizing and selection.
Trajectory optimization is achieved with the indirect techniques of the ordinary calculus.
While the solution to the boundary value problem that results with this approach is considered by many to be overly difficult, the robust iterator that is used in the program normally renders the solution routine. Advantages of indirect techniques are that convergence tends to be quadratic in the neighborhood of the solution and that convergence assures that the solution is locally stationary. Utilities and Support Tools MAnE was conceived as a workstation environment rather than a trajectory optimization program. Consequently, much effort has been devoted to assuring that supporting tools needed to properly conduct typical mission studies are readily available. It is anticipated that the number and quality of utility programs will grow with time.