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Frame Transforms

The satkit.frametransform module includes functions to rotate between multiple inertial and Earth-fixed coordinate frames.

Frame transforms are generally output as Quaternions. See related documentation here.

Coordinate Frames

The satkit.frametransform module supports transforms between the following frames:

  • GCRF — Geocentric Celestial Reference Frame
  • ITRF — International Terrestrial Reference Frame
  • TEME — True Equator, Mean Equinox Frame
  • MOD — Mean of Date Frame
  • TIRS — Terrestrial Intermediate Reference System
  • CIRS — Celestial Intermediate Reference System

Calculation Notes

Transformation between the GCRF and the ITRF is performed via the detailed calculations described by the International Earth Rotation and Reference System Service in their Technical Note 36: https://www.iers.org/IERS/EN/Publications/TechnicalNotes/tn36.html. This is a computationally expensive calculation.