Re-entry trajectory design for reusable spaceplane of tourist class

Abstract

Trajectory design plays a significant role in the development of reusable winged spaceship. A re-entry phase is the most complex and extreme phase of the overall spaceflight. In the study the re-entry trajectory approach is proposed for guidance of the tourist class reusable spaceplane. This approach generates a feasible re-entry trajectory for terminal area energy management phase. Passengers safety and structural constraints that define the ability to withstand the intense heat and deceleration loading produced by re-entry are also considered. The results demonstrate that the proposed guidance scheme is capable of guiding the spaceplane to the desired touchdown.