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