Simplified ascent-trajectory optimization using Ada software

This paper describes an Ada program called 'ASCENT', which computes optimal launch-vehicle ascent trajectories. It is a redesigned version of FORTRAN software which is currently used at ESA's European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) for Ariane mission analysis. ASCENT uses automatic differentiation techniques to simplify the coding involved in the trajectory calculations and takes advantage of Ada's package structure to produce readable and easily maintained software. It also exploits Ada's rich set of data types and associated attribute checking to provide robust and user-friendly input of mission data.