Lifting Re-entry Trajectory Optimization

Abstract

Trajectory optimization of a lypical RLV technology demonstrator is formulated as an optimal control problem. Both planar and out of plane trajectory optimization is carried out during re-entry phase using steepest descent method. Dynamic pressure and lateral acceleration are used as inequality constraints. Terminal equality conslraints on altitude and velocity are also specifed. Constraints qre included in the performance index as exterior penatty functions. Detailed formulations of the optimal control problem along with results are presented in this paperfor some test cases.