Optimum reentry trajectories of a lifting vehicle
Abstract
Research results are presented of an investigation of the optimum maneuvers of advanced shuttle type spacecraft during reentry. The equations are formulated by means of modified Chapman variables resulting in a general set of equations for flight analysis which are exact for reentry and for flight in a vacuum. Four planar flight typical optimum manuevers are investigated. For three-dimensional flight the optimum trajectory for maximum cross range is discussed in detail. Techniques for calculating reentry footprints are presented.
- Publication:
-
Michigan Univ. Final Report
- Pub Date:
- February 1980
- Bibcode:
- 1980muaa.rept.....C
- Keywords:
-
- Maneuverability;
- Reentry Trajectories;
- Space Shuttles;
- Equations Of Motion;
- Flight Characteristics;
- Lift Drag Ratio;
- Trajectory Optimization;
- Astrodynamics