Version 0.5.0 Released

Version 0.5.0 of the General Astrodynamics Library has been released. It can be downloaded from the project website here:

http://homepage.mac.com/pclwillmott/GAL/index.html

Updates in this release:

** Additional routines added to Kepler sub-library

** Planetary and Moon rotational elements added

** Reference frame routines for planets other than Earth

** Acceleration due to Solar Radiation Pressure added

** Acceleration due to Atmospheric Drag added

** Sun occulation routine added for satellite eclipses

** Support for Harris-Priester Earth Atmosphere Model

** Mars date and time routines added

** Ellipsoid models for the planets and the Sun added

** Earth satellite rise/set routine added.

The Reference Manual will be updated shortly.

The General Astrodynamics Library (GAL) is a numerical library for C and C++ programmers. It is free software under the GNU General Public License.

The library provides a wide range of astrodynamical routines such as ephemerides, earth orientation, and orbit propagation. There are over 260 functions in total with an extensive test suite.

Paul Willmott, VP9MU
AMSAT-BDA