# Lox – Oxidized Astrodynamics
Lox is an MPLv2-licensed Rust astrodynamics library with first-class Python bindings for
orbital mechanics, mission analysis, and telecommunications.
`lox-space` is the main entry point for both the Rust and Python APIs, re-exporting all
functionality from the Lox ecosystem through a unified interface.
## Python Quick Start
```python
import lox_space as lox
# Parse a UTC epoch and convert to the TDB time scale
epoch = lox.UTC.from_iso("2025-01-01T12:00:00").to_scale("TDB")
# Load Earth orientation parameters
provider = lox.EOPProvider("finals2000A.all.csv")
# Design a sun-synchronous orbit at 800 km altitude with a 10:30 LTAN
sso = lox.Keplerian.sso(
epoch, altitude=800 * lox.km, ltan=(10, 30), provider=provider
)
# Convert to Cartesian state and propagate with J2 perturbations
state = sso.to_cartesian()
j2 = lox.J2(state)
trajectory = j2.propagate(epoch, end=epoch + 100 * lox.minutes)
```
## Rust Quick Start
```rust
use lox_space::prelude::*;
let epoch = Utc::from_iso("2025-01-01T12:00:00").unwrap().to_time().to_scale(Tdb);
let provider = EopParser::new().from_path("finals2000A.all.csv").parse().unwrap();
let sso = SsoBuilder::default()
.with_provider(&provider)
.with_time(epoch)
.with_altitude(800.0.km())
.with_ltan(10, 30)
.build()
.unwrap();
// Convert to Cartesian state and propagate with J2 perturbations
let state = sso.to_cartesian();
let j2 = J2Propagator::new(state);
let end = epoch + TimeDelta::from_minutes(100);
let trajectory = j2.propagate(Interval::new(epoch, end)).unwrap();
```
## Installation
### Python
```sh
uv add lox-space
# or
pip install lox-space
```
### Rust
```sh
cargo add lox-space
```
## Features
- **Orbital Mechanics** — Keplerian elements, state vectors, SSO design, Vallado/J2/SGP4 propagation, TLE parsing
- **Time Systems** — TAI, TT, TDB, TCB, TCG, UTC, UT1; femtosecond precision, leap-second aware
- **Reference Frames** — ICRF, ITRF, TEME; CIO and equinox-based transformation chains
- **Ground Stations** — Visibility windows, elevation masks, pass prediction
- **Constellation Design** — Walker Delta/Star, Street-of-Coverage, Flower
- **RF Link Budgets** — Antenna patterns, modulation schemes, path loss
- **Python Bindings** — Full API with type stubs and NumPy interop
## Documentation
- Python: https://python.lox.rs
- Rust: https://docs.rs/lox-space
## Status
Lox is pre-1.0. The API may change between releases.
For more information, see the [main repository](https://github.com/lox-space/lox).