Fixed-trim re-entry guidance analysis

The terminal guidance problem for a fixed-trim re-entry body is formulated with the objective of synthesizing a closed-loop steering law. A transformation of variables is made that reduces the order of the state system for the guidance problem, and a subsequent linearization with motion along the sight line to the target as a reference produces a further order reduction. The final, reduced-order system, although nonlinear and time-varying, is simple enough to lend itself to synthesis of a class of guidance laws. A generalization of the feedforward device of classical control theory is successfully employed for compensation of roll-autopilot lags. A comparison with existing fixed trim guidance laws is carried out computationally with a simulation model idealizing the navigation and control systems as error-free. The proposed guidance law exhibits superior miss-distance performance in the comparison.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph. D.

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Aerospace and Ocean Engineering

Department dc:contributor.department

Aerospace and Ocean Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Year dc:date.issued

1981

Author dc:creator

• Gracey, Christopher

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10919/71128

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/71128