Sliding mode control of reusable launch vehicle in launch and re-entry modes

Trajectory control for a reusable launch vehicle (RLV) is considered for two operational modes: reentry and launch modes are considered. Decentralized sliding mode controllers are designed to achieve the de-coupled asymptotic tracking of Euler angles' profiles upon plant uncertainties and external disturbances. Two sliding mode control strategies are investigated: direct Euler angles' profiles tracking and angular rates tracking in combination with a coordinated turn inversion. Effectiveness of the sliding mode controllers is confirmed by simulations of a trajectory tracking for the WB001 RLV studied at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center.