Model Predictive Control for Ascent Load Management of a Reusable Launch Vehicle
Model Predictive Control for Ascent Load Management of a Reusable Launch Vehicle

Author: Andrew Allen Martin

Publisher:

Published: 2002-06-01

Total Pages: 190

ISBN-13: 9781423509189

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During the boost phase of ascent, winds have a significant impact on a launch vehicle's angle of attack, and can induce large structural loads on the vehicle. Traditional methods for mitigating these loads involve measuring the winds prior to launch and designing trajectories to minimize the vehicle angle of attack (0). The current balloon-based method of collecting wind field information produces wind profiles with significant uncertainty due to the inherent time delays associated with balloon measurement procedures. Managing the mission risk caused by these uncertain wind measurements has always been important to control system designers. This thesis will describe a novel approach to managing structural loads through the combination of a Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) wind sensor, and Model Predictive Control (MPC). LIDAR wind sensors can provide near real-time wind measurements, significantly reducing wind uncertainty at launch. MPC takes full advantage of this current wind information through a unique combination of proactive control, con-traint integration and tuning flexibility. This thesis describes the development of two types of MPC controllers, as well as a baseline controller representative of current control methods used by industry. A complete description of Model Predictive Control theory and derivation of the necessary control matrices is included. The performance of each MPC controller is compared to that of the baseline controller for a wide range of wind profiles from both the Eastern and Western U.S. Test Ranges. Both MPC controllers are shown to provide reductions of greater than 50% in 0, Qo and structural bending moments. In addition, the effects of wind measurement delays and uncertainty on the performance of each controller are investigated.

Model Predictive Control for Terminal Area Energy Management and Approach and Landing for a Reusable Launch Vehicle
Model Predictive Control for Terminal Area Energy Management and Approach and Landing for a Reusable Launch Vehicle

Author:

Publisher:

Published: 2002

Total Pages: 235

ISBN-13:

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The space industry plans to develop new reusable launch vehicles. The new vehicles will need advanced, new guidance and control systems. Since 1996 Draper Laboratory has been developing the next generation guidance and control for reusable launch vehicles in which guidance and control is integrated into one correlated system. Draper's research of integrated guidance and control originated with a single loop multivariable control scheme using time-invariant linear quadratic regulator theory. The research has since evolved into the use of model predictive control theory. The main focus of this thesis is the theory and design of model predictive control for entry of aerospace vehicles. The goal is to develop design criteria and guidelines explaining how to select the model predictive control parameters: prediction horizon, simulation rates, and weighting matrices. A secondary goal is to tightly couple an onboard trajectory generation algorithm with the model predictive controller to improve tracking performance and robustness. Favorable tracking is achieved through two model predictive control architectures, which are discussed. The first architecture has an inner loop stability augmentation system with model predictive control used as an outer loop. The second architecture replaces the inner and outer loops with a single model predictive controller. The two architectures demonstrate the flexibility of model predictive control to adapt to new vehicles; the model predictive control may be used to augment an existing inner loop or may be used as a stand-alone controller. The design focuses primarily on the architecture without a stability augmentation system.

Payload Performance Analysis for a Reusable Two-Stage-To-Orbit Vehicle
Payload Performance Analysis for a Reusable Two-Stage-To-Orbit Vehicle

Author: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform

Published: 2018-05-22

Total Pages: 34

ISBN-13: 9781719400503

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This paper investigates a unique approach in the development of a reusable launch vehicle where, instead of designing the vehicle to be reusable from its inception, as was done for the Space Shuttle, an expendable two stage launch vehicle is evolved over time into a reusable launch vehicle. To accomplish this objective, each stage is made reusable by adding the systems necessary to perform functions such as thermal protection and landing, without significantly altering the primary subsystems and outer mold line of the original expendable vehicle. In addition, some of the propellant normally used for ascent is used instead for additional propulsive maneuvers after staging in order to return both stages to the launch site, keep loads within acceptable limits and perform a soft landing. This paper presents a performance analysis that was performed to investigate the feasibility of this approach by quantifying the reduction in payload capability of the original expendable launch vehicle after accounting for the mass additions, trajectory changes and increased propellant requirements necessary for reusability. Results show that it is feasible to return both stages to the launch site with a positive payload capability equal to approximately 50 percent of an equivalent expendable launch vehicle. Further discussion examines the ability to return a crew/cargo capsule to the launch site and presents technical challenges that would have to be overcome. Tartabini, Paul V. and Beaty, James R. and Lepsch, Roger A. and Gilbert, Michael G. Langley Research Center PAYLOADS; PERFORMANCE PREDICTION; REUSABLE LAUNCH VEHICLES; MULTISTAGE ROCKET VEHICLES; ASCENT; LAUNCHING SITES; PROPELLANTS; SOFT LANDING; TRAJECTORIES; THERMAL PROTECTION; AERODYNAMIC HEATING; REENTRY EFFECTS; CARGO; SPACECREWS; SPACECRAFT MODULES; HEAT SHIELDING

Guidance and Control 2001
Guidance and Control 2001

Author: Robert D. Culp

Publisher:

Published: 2001

Total Pages: 750

ISBN-13:

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Taken from the January 2001 conference in Breckenridge, Colorado, these 41 papers discuss recent advances and experiences in guidance and control, including autonomous and remotely piloted terrestrial landings, landing on planetary bodies, guidance and control storyboard displays, and optical control. The lessons from specific projects, like the Sirius satellites, the Hubble telescope, and XMM-Newton, are emphasized. Contributors include researchers with universities, the military, and NASA. Author index only. c. Book News Inc.

Reusable Booster System
Reusable Booster System

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2013-01-10

Total Pages: 115

ISBN-13: 0309266564

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On June 15, 2011, the Air Force Space Command established a new vision, mission, and set of goals to ensure continued U.S. dominance in space and cyberspace mission areas. Subsequently, and in coordination with the Air Force Research Laboratory, the Space and Missile Systems Center, and the 14th and 24th Air Forces, the Air Force Space Command identified four long-term science and technology (S&T) challenges critical to meeting these goals. One of these challenges is to provide full-spectrum launch capability at dramatically lower cost, and a reusable booster system (RBS) has been proposed as an approach to meet this challenge. The Air Force Space Command asked the Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board of the National Research Council to conduct an independent review and assessment of the RBS concept prior to considering a continuation of RBS-related activities within the Air Force Research Laboratory portfolio and before initiating a more extensive RBS development program. The committee for the Reusable Booster System: Review and Assessment was formed in response to that request and charged with reviewing and assessing the criteria and assumptions used in the current RBS plans, the cost model methodologies used to fame [frame?] the RBS business case, and the technical maturity and development plans of key elements critical to RBS implementation. The committee consisted of experts not connected with current RBS activities who have significant expertise in launch vehicle design and operation, research and technology development and implementation, space system operations, and cost analysis. The committee solicited and received input on the Air Force launch requirements, the baseline RBS concept, cost models and assessment, and technology readiness. The committee also received input from industry associated with RBS concept, industry independent of the RBS concept, and propulsion system providers which is summarized in Reusable Booster System: Review and Assessment.

Handbook of Model Predictive Control
Handbook of Model Predictive Control

Author: Saša V. Raković

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2018-09-01

Total Pages: 693

ISBN-13: 3319774891

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Recent developments in model-predictive control promise remarkable opportunities for designing multi-input, multi-output control systems and improving the control of single-input, single-output systems. This volume provides a definitive survey of the latest model-predictive control methods available to engineers and scientists today. The initial set of chapters present various methods for managing uncertainty in systems, including stochastic model-predictive control. With the advent of affordable and fast computation, control engineers now need to think about using “computationally intensive controls,” so the second part of this book addresses the solution of optimization problems in “real” time for model-predictive control. The theory and applications of control theory often influence each other, so the last section of Handbook of Model Predictive Control rounds out the book with representative applications to automobiles, healthcare, robotics, and finance. The chapters in this volume will be useful to working engineers, scientists, and mathematicians, as well as students and faculty interested in the progression of control theory. Future developments in MPC will no doubt build from concepts demonstrated in this book and anyone with an interest in MPC will find fruitful information and suggestions for additional reading.