Maneuverable Reentry Vehicle Trajectory Optimization using Pseudospectral Method

This research presented a trajectory optimization of a maneuverable reentry vehicle (RV) under constraints modeled in 3 degree of freedom. Maneuverable RVs typically describes a skipping trajectory during the flight within the atmosphere environment. The gliding trajectory of the RV experiences very high heating rates and axial and normal overloads that reduce the maneuver characteristics, thus, in order to keep the integrity of the RV it should flight within the specified constraints. The optimization of the trajectory has been carried out by using a pseudospectral method where the objective function considered was the downrange of the RV. The obtained optimized trajectory was able to keep all parameters within the constraints while the RV was approaching to the target.