Python powered Satellite Simulations with Blender

Jasmeet Singh (~jasmeet8)


5

Votes

Description:

In this talk, I would be talking about a project titled: S.T.A.R (Satellite Trajectory Animating & Rendering). Inspired by the awe-inspiring Space Debris Movie created by the European Space Agency and ONiRiXEL in 2017, this project takes orbital simulations to new heights by seamlessly blending scientific accuracy with visually stunning animations. During the talk, we will explore the powerful combination of Blender and Python, which allows us to create captivating and scientifically correct orbital simulations for any satellite. We'll dive into the basics of orbital mechanics, providing attendees with a clear understanding of the underlying principles. Furthermore, we'll showcase how Python, a versatile programming language, can be harnessed to automate and enhance the simulation process within Blender.

A working demo of the project can be found here.

Major takeaways from the talk:

  • Basics of Orbital Mechanics
  • Satellite TLE (two-line element) data and how to get the Starlink TLE data from websites like Celestrak
  • Using TLE data and orbital mechanics with Python in an object-oriented way to simulate satellite
  • A bit about 3D graphics with Blender
  • Using Blender Particle Systems to simulate Satellites
  • -

Prerequisites:

Necessary: - Basics of Python - Basics about Object Oriented Programming Concepts

Preferred: - Basic knowledge on Gravitational and Orbital Motion Theories - Some high school level maths

Speaker Info:

I am Jasmeet Singh, a Robotics Engineer by day and a Space Enthusiast by night. My primary areas of interest lie in robot perception, robotic simulations, and mechatronics. Additionally, I hold the position of co-founder in a Robotics Research and Development Society called A.T.O.M Robotics Lab at my college. Apart from my dedication to robotics, I also possess a keen enthusiasm for Embedded Systems, PCB Designing, 3D Modelling / Graphics, and 3D Printing. I frequently combine these interests to build hobby projects and eagerly share my projects with the community.

Currently, I am a GSoC Contributor working with Open Robotics on their Open Source Robotics Simulator named Gazebo (Gz Sim), on a project titled 'Automatic Computation of Moments of Inertia for Robotic Links'.

Section: Scientific Computing
Type: Talks
Target Audience: Intermediate
Last Updated: