On some optimal atmosphere reentry trajectories
Abstract
This paper determines the optimal atmosphere reentry trajectory of a spatial vehicle so that the heating due to atmospheric friction and therefore the material consumption of the protective skin is assumed to be minimal. Consideration is given to a plane trajectory case, for reentries at low angles. The mathematics formulation leads to the solution of a problem of isoperimeter type with a mobile extremity. In the end, a study regarding the stability of the obtained solution is done, which implies the analysis of the stability of a differential system with variable factors, determining in the dynamic variables plane the range of stability of the movement.
- Publication:
-
Innsbruck International Astronautical Federation Congress
- Pub Date:
- October 1986
- Bibcode:
- 1986inns.iafcU....P
- Keywords:
-
- Atmospheric Entry;
- Reentry Trajectories;
- Thermal Protection;
- Trajectory Optimization;
- Ablation;
- Aerodynamic Heating;
- Kinetic Friction;
- Numerical Stability;
- Astrodynamics