A generalized reentry/precision landing algorithm using bank angle modulation control was designed for a low lift-to-drag ratio (L/D) spacecraft that enables precision landing for target locations between 2,400 km and 10,000 km downrange of Entry Interface (EI). The Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) design concept was used as the main test case for this algorithm, but the algorithm is general enough to be extensible to similar vehicle concepts with different vehicle characteristics. The algorithm was tested against various reentry scenarios including perturbations in initial entry conditions, vehicle mass and aerodynamic properties, and atmospheric density. The algorithm was shown to be robust to these uncertainties to allow a landing error of less than 3.5 km for the entire 2,400 km - 10,000 km landing footprint. The guidance algorithm is based on the Apollo entry guidance algorithm. The guidance phases pertaining to short range reentries have remained essentially unaltered.

    (cont.) The phases relating to longer range reentries, which rely upon skip trajectories, have been upgraded using PredGuid, a numeric predictor-corrector aerocapture algorithm developed by Draper Laboratory for the Aero-assist Flight Experiment in the late 1980s. In addition, the reference trajectory used for the final phase of reentry was recalculated to apply to the CEV vehicle concept. These upgrades were sufficient to allow precision landing of skip reentry trajectories for target ranges of up to 10,000 km. In addition, it was shown that the steepness of the skip can be controlled by modulating the time at which the PredGuid guidance phase takes over; starting earlier results in a steeper, higher altitude skip whereas starting later results in a shallower, lower altitude skip.


    Access

    Download


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Reentry guidance with extended range capability for low L/D spacecraft


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    2006


    Size :

    182 pages , 3426397 byte , 3424401 byte


    Remarks:

    Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 2006.
    This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.
    Includes bibliographical references (p. 181-182).


    Type of media :

    Theses


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English




    Orion Reentry Guidance with Extended Range Capability Using PredGuid

    Bairstow, Sarah / Barton, Gregory | AIAA | 2007


    Orion Reentry Guidance with Extended Range Capability Using PredGuid AIAA Paper

    Bairstow, S. / Barton, G. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2007


    Atmospheric Reentry Guidance of Manned Spacecraft

    Wang, Z. / Han, C. / Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1994



    Accurate Real-Time Prediction Guidance Using Numerical Integration for Reentry Spacecraft

    Matsumoto, Shuichi / Kondoh, Yoshinori / Suzuki, Yusuke et al. | AIAA | 2013