The Copernicus software, a system for designing and optimizing spacecraft trajectories, can handle various trajectory challenges, including those related to planets, moons, and interplanetary missions. It is integral for both NASA and the broader space research community.
- May 26, 2026: Copernicus Version 5.4.1 has been released, focusing on bug fixes and introducing several new features.
- March 23, 2026: Copernicus Version 5.4 includes new features, enhancements, and bug fixes, with the first version providing native support for Macs with Apple Silicon. Updates feature new altitude and eclipse models, a finite burn propagation model, and many GUI and API improvements.
- August 13, 2024: Copernicus Version 5.3.2 is now available.
- December 18, 2023: Copernicus Version 5.3.1 has been released, containing bug fixes.
- November 15, 2023: Copernicus Version 5.3 is released, featuring bug fixes and new integrations, along with an upgrade to Python 3.10.
- January 21, 2022: Copernicus Version 5.2 is launched, including bug fixes and new features.
- June 17, 2021: Copernicus was awarded the 2021 NASA Software of the Year Award.
- March 4, 2021: Copernicus Version 5.1 is released, with various improvements.
- June 26, 2020: Copernicus Version 5.0 introduces significant updates, among them a new Python-based GUI compatible across platforms.
- May 1, 2018: Copernicus Version 4.6 is made available, introducing a new JSON kernel file format and several enhancements.
- January 24, 2018: Version 4.5 debuts, featuring an experimental Mac version and faster data export capabilities.
- October 1, 2016: Copernicus Version 4.4 is launched, improving 3D graphics.
- February 8, 2016: Copernicus Version 4.3 is released with updates to the plugin interface and new solution methods.
- July 21, 2015: Copernicus Version 4.2 is launched, with various refinements.
- April 13, 2015: Copernicus Version 4.1 introduces a new plugin architecture.
- August 13, 2014: Copernicus Version 4.0 is released, featuring improvements from Version 3.1.
Development of Copernicus began at the University of Texas at Austin in August 2001, with foundational support from NASA’s Johnson Space Center. The first operational version was completed in March 2006.
Under U.S. government policy, NASA makes Copernicus available free of charge to other government entities and educational institutions. Interested organizations can request access.
The current version of Copernicus is 5.4.1, released on May 26, 2026.
Source: www.nasa.gov.
