Past Release Highlights

STK 8, released fall 2006, focuses primarily on enhanced analysis collaboration and geospatial layer management, and also introduces the full integration of its 3-D visualization capabilities across a simplified product alignment structure. New features include the ability to easily manage globes and geospatial layers (including ArcGIS data); terrain and imagery processing improvements; enhanced analysis sharing capabilities, and more.

• The new STK product realignment structure features STK Basic, STK Professional, and STK Expert Editions, along with a set of consolidated add-on modules that specifically tailor to program requirements and analysis proficiency.
• The 3-D visualization engine has been integrated into all paid products for enhanced analytic capabilities.
• The new Globe Manager allows users to easily manage a scenario’s geospatial content—from terrain and imagery, to custom globe files, to integrated ArcGIS data—with immediate visual feedback on the globe.
• STK GIS Analyst Extension for STK 8 and the new AGI Viewer Pro allows users to load in Esri map document (.mxd) files for analysis and visualization. This data can then be managed directly from the Globe Manager window.
• Native support for JPEG 2000 imagery now allows users to read in JPEG 2000 files for the 3D globe and 2D map overlays.
• PDTT terrain files can now be used for analysis and visualization, eliminating the need for two terrain files in a scenario.
• Aircraft Mission Modeler (AMM) now supports vertical take off and landing (VTOL); short takeoff and landing (STOL); and hover flight profiles.
• The STK Object Model has been expanded, greatly simplifying efforts to control STK and output STK results to other applications, without resorting to complex, socket-layer code.
• The HPOP and STK/Astrogator spacecraft propagators now share the same default integrator and force model settings, which facilitate comparisons of results when switching between these STK propagators and ensures numerical consistency.
• Orbit frames can now be drawn in customized reference frames created with the Vector Geometry Tool (VGT). This includes pulsating BBR frames for trajectories in multi-body missions.

STK 7 debuted in fall 2005. This release included new features—Aircraft Mission Modeler backwards targeting, custom missile creation tool, industry-standard COM interface—and across-the-board enhancements for users working in battlespace management, geospatial intelligence, space systems, and national defense.

• Updated missile object capability with HPOP propagator, additional attitude profiels, and missile-related reports and graphs.
• A rapid mission modeling tool that allows users to model specific mission requirements quickly and easily using aircraft specific performance models to produce realistic flight paths based upon empirical, airframe-specific deterministic models.
• As an update to the STK/Astrogator module, AGI has added a hold sequence and backwards targeting, allowing users to set up all or part of their Mission Control Sequence to run backward in time.
• STK/Optimizer product that adds three new optimization routines and two design space tools to STK/Analyzer.
• In addition to the existing STK/Connect interface, customers now have access to all STK data providers and STK/PRO objects through the Component Object Model (COM).
• As part of STK/Advanced VO, users can now host all terrain and imagery on an internal Globeserver.
• As another update to STK/Astrogator, STK 7 makes it possible for STK/Astrogator and STK/PRO to share common vector functionality, through the use of the improved Vector Geometry Tool (VGT).
• Added functionality to the Lifetime tool enables users to analyze the effects of different atmospheric models, different flux levels, and time-based stopping conditions.
• As an update to STK/Comm, users can now perform PSD analysis taking into consideration the signal modulation type.
• All STK graphs now use Chart FX® in place of the old graph interface.
• With new data provider descriptions, users can now understand how the data providers generate the results reported from a mathematical standpoint.
• STK 7 features an improved terrain rendering process, resulting in faster performance when performing computations in and around a specific area.
• An updated user interface called LaunchPad replaces the Welcome and Start pages as an improved organization tool; great for keeping track of scenarios, utilities, models, and other pertinent STK data in one easy-to-use environment.

STK 6.0 was launched in 2004. This software version gave users new and improved tools ideal for specialized analyses, terrain, and imagery handling; 3-D interactivity; and shareability.

• Introduction of the new visual output tool STK/Author and interactive AGI Viewer freeware, which bring the STK experience to individuals at any and all levels
• AGI Globeserver, a free Internet service which streams pre-built globe data into STK scenarios
• Greater flexibility in designing multi-spacecraft missions
• Automation of additional maneuver design tasks
• 3-D graphical feedback and trending
• New tools for the design of complex space missions
• Terrain translucency for visual representation of access and sensor obscurations
• 3-D texture files used as imagery overlays on the 2-D map
• 3-D coverage contours displayed over terrain data
• Sensor footprint fill option
• Facility, target, and sensor attitude spheres
• 2-D surface lines between objects
• Graphics primitives for custom user symbology

The 2003 release of STK 5.0 brought an entirely new look and feel to STK via an updated graphical user interface (GUI). It's open architecture offered unparalleled flexibility to create custom interfaces and easily integrate STK with other software applications.

• Component-based architecture within the STK GUI for easy customization, communication, & integration
• New GUI based on familiar Windows standards
• Upgraded STK/Communications (STK/Comm) module featuring
  • laser communication links
  • custom comm objects and propagation modules
  • enhanced constraints for transmitters, receivers, and interference sources
  • calculation of multi-beam antenna patters; and ability to model propagation delays
• 3-D interactivity and visual cues
• Additional imagery formats and adaptive local tessellation to ensure ground objects appear flush with the central body
• Computation and realistic display of sensor/terrain intersections in the 2-D and 3-D windows
• 3-D coverage contours over geographical regions and on a vehicle’s attitude sphere

In 2002, STK 4.3 introduced the Vector Geometry Tool in STK/Professional (STK/PRO). Its dynamic geometry engine enabled the incorporation of time-based position, velocity, orientation, and inter-visibility conditions for objects—with respect to any coordinate system.

• The Vector Geometry Tool in STK/Professional (STK/PRO)—a dynamic geometry engine that enables users to incorporate time-based position, velocity, orientation, and inter-visibility conditions for objects with respect to any coordinate system
• More integration methods for HPOP including Gauss-Jackson & Bulirisch-Stoer with Variation of Parameters (VOP)
• "Plugin" capability featuring user-defined scripts for constraints, vectors, axes, drag, and engine and force models
• SPICE files for planets and central bodies
• STK/Attitude module introduced
  • vehicle-centered 3-D display and analysis sphere
  • attitude simulation tool
  • multiple-segment and user-defined attitude profiles
• STK/Scheduler module which finds optimal scheduling solutions via global search algorithms and "quick" priority-driving scheduling
• Orbit determination with real-time and autonomous data-editing modes, tracking data simulator, and realistic error covariance