X-38 Application of Dynamic Inversion Flight ControlThis paper summarizes the application of a nonlinear dynamic inversion (DI) flight control system (FCS) to an autonomous flight test vehicle in NASA's X-38 Project, a predecessor to the International Space Station (ISS) Crew Return Vehicle (CRV). Honeywell's Multi-Application Control-H (MACH) is a parameterized FCS design architecture including both model-based DI rate-compensation and classical P+I command-tracking. MACH was adopted by X-38 in order to shorten the design cycle time for different vehicle shapes and flight envelopes and evolving aerodynamic databases. Specific design issues and analysis results are presented for the application of MACH to the 3rd free flight (FF3) of X-38 Vehicle 132 (V132). This B-52 drop test, occurring on March 30, 2000, represents the first flight test of MACH and one of the first few known applications of DI in the primary FCS of an autonomous flight test vehicle.
Document ID
20100033140
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Wacker, Roger (Honeywell, Inc. Houston, TX, United States)
Munday, Steve (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Merkle, Scott (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Date Acquired
August 25, 2013
Publication Date
January 31, 2001
Subject Category
Aircraft Stability And Control
Report/Patent Number
JSC-CN-6520
Meeting Information
Meeting: 24th Annual Guidance and Control Conference