Optimal plane change during constant altitude hypersonic flightFuture spacecraft operating in the vicinity of the earth may have resort to the atmosphere as an aid in effecting orbital change. While a previous treatment of this technique chose constant altitude, speed, and angle-of-attack values in order to maximize the plane change for a fixed amount of propellant consumption during hypersonic flight, the former two parameters are presently released from the constraint of constancy. The general characteristics of the optimal controls are described on the basis of the domain of maneuverability, and numerical solutions are obtained for several specific cases. Under the condition of constant-altitude flight, it is generally not optimal to fly at constant angle-of-attack.
Document ID
19880063360
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Mease, K. D. (Princeton University NJ, United States)
Vinh, N. X. (Michigan, University Ann Arbor, United States)