pseudocode algorithm for ship autopilot in a vacuum

gistfile1.txt

const (
	stopped_velocity = 0.5m/s
	cruise_velocity = 75km/s
	safe_distance = 500m
)

drift_to(dest) {
	ship.heading = angle_to(dest)
	ship.dampeners = off
		
	accel_timer = new timer()
	accel_timer.start()
	
	// accelerate to cruising velocity
	while (distance = ship.pos - dest) > safe_distance {
		if (distance / accel_timer) > ship.velocity {
			break
		} else if ship.velocity < cruise_velocity {
			ship.thrusters = 100%
		}
	}
	
	// target/max velocity achieved, cut engines and spin around
	accel_timer.stop()
	decel_distance = ship.velocity * accel_timer

	ship.thrusters = off
	ship.heading = !ship.heading
	
	// drift
	while ship.pos - dest > safe_distance + decel_distance {
		speakers.play(blue_danube)
	}

	// decelerate to a stop
	ship.dampeners = on
	while ship.velocity > stopped_velocity {
		ship.thrusters = 100%
	}
}