Subject: Simulating Apollo 15's Launch From Hadley-Apennine
From: Daniel Adamo <[email-masked]>
To: "ATIG (A-K)" <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 26 Mar 2026 11:36:33 -0700

ATIG Users-

Those of you who have been following my Launch Targeting (LT) software development efforts begun November last year have already seen demonstration of the underlying Powered Explicit Guidance (PEG) algorithm's support for multiple launch vehicles (Falcon 9 and SLS Block 1 so far).  An additional LT design objective is to support launches from any major body in the Solar System.

To demonstrate LT's launch body-agnostic attribute, I've implemented an Apollo Lunar Module launch vehicle option and configured it to reconstruct Apollo 15 Falcon's launch trajectory from her scenic Hadley-Apennine lunar landing site (ref. https://www.rocketstem.org/2015/07/07/rovering-across-the-moon-during-apollo-15/).  The results are of sufficient accuracy to permit much of the subsequent rendezvous trajectory with Command-Service Module Endeavour to be reconstructed as well.  As usual, impressive Apollo trajectory operations insights arise from these reconstructions.  After reading the attached account of the subject simulation, I hope you'll agree.  Comments and questions are invited.

-Dan