Masters Theses

Abstract

"This thesis presents a guidance scheme for the Terminal Area Energy Management (TAEM) and Approach and Landing phases of flight for the next generation of reusable launch vehicles (RLVs). The guidance scheme presented is developed in two parts, the kappa guidance section and the touchdown trajectory section. The kappa guidance section begins at the TAEM interface and continues until 475m slant range before the desired touchdown point. The touchdown trajectory section begins at the 475m slant range interface and continues until the RLV reaches the desired touchdown point. The guidance algorithm for the kappa guidance section is an approximate analytic solution to the nonlinear optimization of minimizing the final velocity of the trajectory while meeting a constraint on the final flight path angle. The assumptions used to develop the approximate analytic solution begin to degrade this guidance algorithm’s performance near the touchdown point; therefore, the touchdown trajectory section was incorporated into the guidance scheme. This guidance algorithm uses linear quadratic regulator control theory to find the change in angle of attack from the nominal that produces a desired touchdown rate at the touchdown point. Both guidance algorithms have “trajectory shaping parameters” which help meet the final constraints for each section. These parameters have a relationship with both velocity and flight path angle which is approximated by neural networks. The combination of these two guidance algorithms yield a wide range of allowable initial conditions that an RLV can have and still be able to land with a desirable touchdown rate at the touchdown point"--Abstract, page iii.

Advisor(s)

Balakrishnan, S. N.

Committee Member(s)

Krishnamurthy, K.
Wunsch, Donald C.

Department(s)

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Degree Name

M.S. in Aerospace Engineering

Comments

This research work was supported by NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, NAG8-1805, and the NASA Graduate Student Research Program.

Publisher

University of Missouri--Rolla

Publication Date

Fall 2003

Pagination

x, 60 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 58-59).

Rights

© 2003 Katie Amanda Grantham, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Thesis - Restricted Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Subject Headings

Guidance systems (Flight) -- DesignSpace vehicles -- Guidance systems

Thesis Number

T 8308

Print OCLC #

54853656

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