heyoka.py 5.0.0
Variational equations 💫
With version 5.0.0, heyoka.py takes another big leap forward with built-in support for the variational equations - that is, the ability to compute not only the solution of an ODE system, but also its partial derivatives with respect to the initial conditions and/or parameters of the system.
The variational equations, which are automatically formulated by heyoka.py at any order via a process of efficient symbolic differentiation, enable a host of new applications, such as the solution of inversion problems (e.g., orbit determination), uncertainty propagation, Taylor maps and jet transport, the computation of chaos indicators, training of neural networks in NeuralODEs, etc.
A tutorial describing this new feature is available.
Thermosphere models 🤖
Another big addition in this release is thermoNETs - a set of novel models for the calculation of the Earth's atmospheric density. These models, which have been recently unveiled at the ISSFD2024 conference, can be used to set up accurate and high-performance simulations of the LEO dynamical environment, accounting for the influence of air drag during orbital propagation. A tutorial describing this new feature is available.
For more information, see also the arxiv preprint https://arxiv.org/html/2405.19384v1.
The full changelog, as usual, is available here: