Modeling Approach of a Near-Space Airship Using Newton-Euler and Lagrangian Formulation

Abstract

This paper presents dynamics modeling approach of the near-space airship. First, reference frames and motion variables of the airship are defined, and dynamics model of an airship is derived from the Newton-Euler formulation. Second, the Lagrangian modeling approach in terms of quasi-coordinates is presented, and dynamics model is derived form the Lagrangian formulation, considering the airship and its ambient air as a “rigid body-fluid” system from an energy point of view. The added inertial, gravity, aerostatics, and dissipative forces are incorporated into the dynamics model, and are expressed as parameterized matrices in a common framework. Third, the validity of the proposed dynamics model is verified by comparing simulations with the dynamics model derived from Newton-Euler formulation.