Application of parallel algorithmic differentiation to optimal CubeSat trajectory design

CubeSats, the class of small standardized satellites, are becoming a viable scientific research platform. At present, a variety of high value Earth Science missions require multiple collecting instruments on separate platforms maintained in precise configurations. A new software tool was created to compute propellant-minimizing maneuvers for multiple CubeSats for use with mission preliminary design. This tool incorporates parallelization of the derivative calculations, and demonstrates speed improvements over previous parallel formulations of small satellite cooperative trajectory design problems.