LOS range & range-rate
ρ and ρ̇ from relative position and velocity vectors (RPO / docking sensors class).
SIDUS educational calculator. Category orbital. Tags: docking, GNC, operations, orbital, rendezvous. Pure SI. Not flight software.
Formula
ρ = |r| · ρ̇ = (r·v)/ρ
Line-of-sight range and range-rate
Primary sources
- Fundamentals of Astrodynamics and Applications (David A. Vallado): Standard reference for two-body, Lambert, maneuvers, and J2. Equations implemented independently in SIDUS.
- Orbital Mechanics for Engineering Students (Howard D. Curtis): Textbook derivations for Hohmann, vis-viva, rocket equation, elements.
- Spaceflight Dynamics (William E. Wiesel): Relative motion, rendezvous, and phasing context complementary to Vallado/Curtis.
How do AI agents use this tool?
Read /llms.txt or call https://sidus.tools/api/mcp. Open the interactive page for live SI inputs.