Orbit frame "tracking"

[scoopey]

Hello there folks,
bit of strange query this but I'm trying to get to grips with understanding how the orbit and body frames work.
Anyhow it is possible in the sci-fi sense to get a geostationary satellite to "track" an incoming object and point at it?
I've a feeling it would involved the TwoVector parameter

Regards
Steve C

[selden]

Yes, to both.

An example which tracks the sun is included in the Celestia Wikibook.

Here's an example taken from v1 of my Hale Telescope addon, which points its Z axis toward the target.

Code: Select all

Modify "hale_telescope" "Sol/Earth" {
   BodyFrame
   {
      TwoVector
      {
             Center "Sol/Earth/hale_telescope"
             Primary   
         {
            Axis "z"
            RelativePosition
            {
################# change this next line to point to a different object
               Target "TAU Cet"
            }
         }

#       ensure sides of telescope stay aligned with yoke axis
                  Secondary   
                  {
                      Axis "-y"
                      ConstantVector   
                      {
                             Vector [ 0 0 1]
                             Frame {  BodyFixed { Center "Sol/Earth/hale_yoke" } }
                      }
                  }
      }
   }

}


[scoopey]

Thanks for that!