Problem is to determine thrust history that produces maximum altitude for vertically ascending, two-stage launch vehicle; simplifying assumptions (e.g., flat earth) are made, and rules for optimal thrust arcs are derived; effects of changes in vehicle characteristics at staging, including vehicle drag coefficient and rocket engine characteristics, are investigated; significant alternations from previously analyzed single-stage sounding rocket trajectories are possible -- intermediate coasting arcs, intermediate variable-thrust arcs, and up to five control switches can occur; inclusion of realistic atmospheric drag profiles minimizes these differences.
Two-stage sounding rocket problem
J Spacecraft Rockets
Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets ; 4 , n 10
1967
6 pages
Article (Journal)
English
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The Two-Stage Sounding-Rocket Problem
NTIS | 1967
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