How to learn FreeFlyer

At FreeFlyer, we are committed to empowering our users to achieve unparalleled success with our software. Our "How to Learn FreeFlyer" page is designed to provide you with a wealth of resources to master FreeFlyer’s capabilities. From comprehensive videos and detailed guides to industry-recognized certifications, we offer a variety of complimentary tools to enhance your learning experience. For those seeking deeper expertise, we also provide paid FreeFlyer training sessions and professional engineering services tailored to your specific needs. Explore the curated links and resources on this page to unlock the full potential of FreeFlyer and elevate your mission planning and satellite operations.

FreeFlyer fundamentals

Discover the essential building blocks of FreeFlyer with our "FreeFlyer Fundamentals Training" video series. This comprehensive 90-minute introduction to the FreeFlyer paradigm is divided into three in-depth videos, covering everything you need to get started and excel with FreeFlyer. The series guides you through topics such as Navigating FreeFlyer, The Spacecraft Object, Generating Basic Output, and FreeFlyer Script Essentials. Dive deeper with modules on The Step Command, Creating Ephemeris Files, Lists & Formations, Procedures, Debugging a Mission Plan, Output Window Objects, and Improving Your Visualizations. The hands-on examples are designed to reinforce learning, guiding you step-by-step from building your first mission plan to customizing output windows, adding a second spacecraft, and integrating the GPS Constellation. Whether you're just starting or looking to enhance your FreeFlyer skills, these fundamental videos are your gateway to mastering the software.

FreeFlyer Help Files

Your primary resource for learning FreeFlyer and its capabilities is the FreeFlyer Help File. Accessible directly from your FreeFlyer software by selecting “Help” at the top of the screen and then “Show Help Contents,” the Help Guide is now also available online for those who prefer to peruse it on a machine without FreeFlyer installed.

The Help File provides comprehensive information about every object, property, and method available in FreeFlyer, making it an essential tool for learning FreeFlyer scripting and troubleshooting. For example, it details the Spacecraft.Epoch property as follows:

“The current spacecraft date and time in International Atomic Time (TAI) in the Modified Julian Date format. The returned value has units of days, measured from January 5, 1941 at 12:00:00.000 TAI.”

You can navigate to this page by going to the Spacecraft object page in the Help Guide (“Objects and Functions > Nanosecond Mode > Objects > S > Spacecraft”) and selecting the Epoch property from the table. Alternatively, you can right-click the Spacecraft.Epoch property in FreeFlyer Script and click “Go To Help File,” or simply search for “Epoch” in the Search tab at the top of the Help Guide.

We highly recommend that users working on their Level 1 Certification utilize the Help File while taking the open-book Certification Exam. It is an invaluable resource for deepening your understanding of FreeFlyer and ensuring your success.

Access the FreeFlyer help desk

Get started with FreeFlyer sample mission plans

For FreeFlyer users looking to jumpstart their projects, the directory of over 200 Sample Mission Plans (SMPs) included with your installation is an invaluable resource. These plans are located in your FreeFlyer directory under “My Documents > Sample Mission Plans > Mission.” Covering a wide range of topics and complexity levels, they are organized into the following folders:

These Sample Mission Plans provide examples of varying complexity. Generally, the Demo Mission Plans are the most intricate, showcasing how FreeFlyer can be utilized in support of various mission types. Some plans focus on single concepts and are primarily script-based, while others use no scripting at all, relying solely on GUI-based elements to create entire Mission Plans.

You can find a brief description of all Sample Mission Plans in the Help Guide under “Getting Started > Sample Mission Plans.” These plans are designed to be edited and customized, allowing you to tailor them to your specific mission requirements without starting from scratch. Enhance your workflow by incorporating procedures and techniques demonstrated in the SMPs.

FreeFlyer how-to videos

Explore our concise “FreeFlyer How-To” video series, crafted to guide you through specific analysis tasks within FreeFlyer. This series offers practical tutorials on a variety of topics, including Modeling and Visualizing the Lunar Gateway Orbit, conducting Spacecraft-to-Ground Station Communication Analysis using the RFLink Object, and performing Space to Ground Contact Analysis using Terrain. Additionally, we delve into Modeling BattleSpace Contact Timelines and executing Constellation Coverage Analysis in FreeFlyer. Each video is designed to provide step-by-step instructions to help you maximize your use of FreeFlyer. If there's a particular topic you'd like us to cover, feel free to reach out to the FreeFlyer Sales team!

Orbital Mechanics & Astrodynamics Explained

Introducing our "Orbital Mechanics & Astrodynamics Explained" video series, specifically designed for students, new engineers, or anyone seeking a refresher on fundamental concepts. This series covers a wide range of topics essential for understanding space dynamics, such as Force Modeling, Cartesian to Keplerian Conversion, Prograde vs. Retrograde, and the intricacies of Gravity Assist. With detailed explanations on subjects like Thrusters, Burns, Lift and Drag, Reference Frames, Quaternions, and Patched Conic Transfers, these videos provide a comprehensive foundation in astrodynamics. Each segment is crafted to enhance your knowledge and skills, making complex concepts accessible and engaging. Dive into this series to solidify your understanding and excel in your studies or career in the field of space exploration.

Watch the complete series on YouTube

FreeFlyer University Guide

The FreeFlyer University Guide is an excellent resource, designed to aid in teaching basic astrodynamics concepts through the use of FreeFlyer. While it is tailored for university-level students, it offers a wealth of resources for anyone looking to design mission plans in FreeFlyer and understand the fundamentals of flight dynamics.

Whether you're a student, a new engineer, or someone seeking to enhance their knowledge, the University Guide provides step-by-step instructions for practice problems across a variety of topics. These include Spacecraft Attitude, Maneuvering, Targeting, and Interplanetary Analysis, along with numerous modeling examples. It's one of the easiest and most comprehensive ways to get started with FreeFlyer, providing a solid foundation in both the software and astrodynamics principles.

Take advantage of the University Guide to build your skills, familiarize yourself with FreeFlyer, and tackle complex mission planning with confidence.

Watch the Freeflyer University webinar Download the University Guide

FreeFlyer Webinar Series

Our FreeFlyer Webinar Series showcases real-world mission applications, research, and analysis using FreeFlyer and our entire suite of space products. These webinars offer a deep dive into the latest features of FreeFlyer, demonstrate how our solutions address complex problems in flight dynamics and orbital mechanics, and provide insights into cutting-edge space missions. Join us to learn what's new in FreeFlyer and discover how our tools can help solve your most challenging space mission requirements.

Watch the webinar series on YouTube

FreeFlyer Technical Support Team

Our FreeFlyer Technical Support team is truly world-class, dedicated to ensuring your success with FreeFlyer. Whether you're just getting started or tackling a complex problem, our team is here to assist you every step of the way. Prioritizing requests from existing customers and companies evaluating FreeFlyer, they offer unparalleled support and expertise to help you overcome any challenges you might face.

For students with questions, we recommend exploring the help content provided above or accessing the "FreeFlyer Forum" to post queries and receive answers from the community. Our Technical Support team remains committed to providing top-tier assistance and can be reached by emailing Technical Support.

Professional Engineering Services

In addition to providing FreeFlyer Technical Support, a.i. solutions offers tailored options to configure FreeFlyer based on your specific requirements. We specialize in building FreeFlyer Mission Plans to perform a wide variety of functions, delivering these plans along with comprehensive documentation and user training. This is a paid service for our existing customer, and if you are interested in learning more, let’s set up a conversation.