The GMAT development team is pleased to announce the release of GMAT version R2022a. New features in this release include TLE and covariance propagation, N-plate SRP models and solve-fors, an operational Extended Kalman Filter Smoother, planetographic (e.g., South Atlantic Anomaly) region entry and exit calculations, an Initial Orbit Determination (IOD) capability and contact calculations using station masks. In addition, the API interface is now production quality. For a complete list of new features, compatibility changes, and bug fixes, see the R2022a Release Notes in the Users Guide.

Thinking Systems has been developing an internal project, Astrodynamics Workbench™, while providing support of cusomers over the last two years. This "Dog Food" project was initially driven by the need for a solid multiple window interface on Linux platforms supporting proven GMAT numerics. Over the last year, it has grown to include features that provide support for emerging propulsion technologies and optimal maneuver planning in support of trajectories ranging from low Earth missions to truly deep space trajectories.

Availability Astrodynamics Workbench is a beta project, nearing readiness for release. Interested parties should contact the system architect, Darrel Conway with the subject line "Astrodynamics Workbench" for additional information.

Live demonstrations of Astrodynamics Workbench can also be seen at the 2021 AGU Fall Conference in New Orleans. Contact Dr. Conway to set one up.

Additionally, we have repackaged the R2020a components that depend on Python for Ubuntu 20.04 users, making the Python interfaces for R2020a fully functional for users on that LTS release of Ubuntu Linux. Ubuntu 20.04 uses Python 3.8 as its default Python configuration. GMAT R2020a for Ubuntu was built using Python 3.6. The GMAT components in the bundled package on our downloads page enables the Python interface and the GMAT API for Ubuntu 20.04 users.

GMAT R2020a has passed final testing and is now available for download from SourceForge. This release is a significant update to the system, incorporating many new features that enhance its usability in analysis and operations.

New features in this release include

• A new 3D graphics engine based on OpenFrames.
• The first production-quality C++ release of the Collocation Stand-Alone Library and Toolkit (CSALT), a new optimal control subsystem that supports finite-thrust optimization.
• A new (beta) API developed to provide users low-level access to GMAT functionality and to support interoperability between NASA's GMAT, Copernicus, and MONTE software applications, a new continuous thrust mission design and navigation feature. More information about the GMAT API can be found in
  • Using the GMAT Application Programmer's Interface
• A new (alpha) Extended Kalman Filter Smoother with process noise.

The new release supports operations for the following NASA missions:

• The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) began using GMAT for operational OD in June 2018, replacing GTDS.
• In April 2018, the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) mission launched. TESS used GMAT as its primary tool for mission design and maneuver planning from proposal development through operations.
• The GMAT team is currently integrating CSALT into GSFC's Core Flight System (cFS) to demonstrate the ability to perform optimal control onboard.

Additional new features can be found on the GMAT R2020a release notes. Thinking Systems is proud to have participated in development of these features.

Ubuntu 20.04 Users GMAT R2020a's Python interface and the Python API were built using Ubuntu 18.04 LTS and Python 3.6. Ubuntu 20.04 is packaged with Python 3.8, requiring an update to the GMAT libraries. A build of these components for Ubuntu users, made with Python 3.8, can be found on the Thinking Systems Downloads page.