The meaning of attitudeProvider

1

I would like to know what ATTITUDEProvider corresponds to in actual scenarios? What specific attributes are represented as satellites. thanks
Cheers!
Yang

// Defining attitude provider
AttitudeProvider attitudeProvider = new LofOffset(inertialFrame, LOFType.LVLH);

// Defining your propagator and setting up the attitude provider
Propagator propagator = new KeplerianPropagator(initialOrbit);
propagator.setAttitudeProvider(attitudeProvider);

2

Please take a look at the main documentation attitudes.

There is also an attitude tutorial available.

Basically, attitude providers are specific algorithms that allow to compute the orientation of the spacecraft, when given its position and velocity, and perhaps reference to attitude specific models (like for example a reference to the Earth shape for an attitude that attempts to point at nadir and compensate surface drift by changing yaw angle). There are many attitude modes available, LofOffset is just one but there are others and users can implement their own model if they have very specific orientations (like pointing to a ground or celestial target or perform some scanning patterns).

3

Thank you for your reply!