Overview

pykep is an interplanetary trajectory design and orbital mechanics scientific library led by ESA's Advanced Concepts Team (ACT), with C++ core and Python interface.

Basic Information

• License: MPL-2.0 (Mozilla Public License 2.0)
• Source: ESA
• Website/Docs: https://esa.github.io/pykep/
• GitHub: https://github.com/esa/pykep
• Languages: C++23 + Python (3.11 – 3.14)

Key Features

• Lambert problem solving and Kepler/Lagrange propagation
• Sims–Flanagan and ZOH trajectory segments
• Taylor adaptive integrator based on heyoka (CR3BP, BCP)
• User-defined planetary interface (UDPLA)

Use Cases

• Interplanetary transfer orbit design and gravity-assist sequence optimization
• Low-thrust trajectory optimization and Taylor integration rapid prototyping

Official Resources

• Website/Docs: https://esa.github.io/pykep/
• GitHub: https://github.com/esa/pykep