ParameterDriver explanation

Orekit usage
1

Hi all and I apologize upfront if this is a stupid question,

but I don’t seem to grasp the conceptual meaning of the parameter drivers.

For example in the BasicConstantThrustPropulsionModel, there are two getThrust method, one with NO params and another with date param. They both use thrustDriver, but they could as well be returning just a constant value, or?

I’m trying to understand why it is better to use the parameterDriver.

Thanks.

2

Hi @michal

ParameterDriver are used by orbit determination to know what parameter can be estimated or not.
For propagation only applications (i.e., most of the application) the parameterDriver signature is not required. In other words, signature with ParameterDriver are mainly used internally for orbit determination.

Best regards,
Bryan

3

Hi @bcazabonne,

thanks for the answer. Let me however, follow up … could you use it in some search algorithms and specifically search for the optimal value during a certain time slot? Because, that is how I read it, as a parameter which value can change in time.

Thanks,
Michal

4

Yes, you can.