Mars Pathfinder 2.0 is an Artifician Intelligence algorithm that is set up to optimize the Earth to Mars trajectory as a four body problem. It is accurate to 14 significant digits from start (a 200 Km Earth parking orbit) to finish (a 100 Km Mars parking orbit). The routine allows a user defined thrust at conjunction and the user can select other aspects of the flight path. The program then calculates the fastest, most energy efficient trajectory. The result is available in a series of graphs and data outputs.
The main screen of the progam is a simple Windows pull down menu structure, from which all features of the program are accessible. The mission is designed from left to right. First the trajectory parameters are entered, then the calculations done to generate an optimum flight path. Next the results of the analysis can be studied in the written report, graphical, and data outputs.
The program has extensive "Help" files that describe how to start using the program, how to develop your skills in building a better scenario, and how to interpret the results. These "Help" files are supplimented with a number of illustrations that show how the optimization is done and help to interpret the results.
