Pointing Algorithm for Reentry Orbit Injection with Uncontrolled Last Stage

Melo, Flávio Eler de; Leite Filho, Waldemar de Castro; Pietrobom, Hilton Cleber

doi:10.5028/jatm.2012.04031112

Abstract:

An essencial requirement for a launcher with uncontrolled last stage is to compute the ignition time of that stage and its attitude, in order to obtain a proper orbit transfer from a nonpropelled trajectory to a desired orbit, since such stage it cannot change its velocity profile and its direction. This article presents an algorithm that allows achieving the proper conditions to inject a vehicle with uncontrolled last stage into a descent Keplerian trajectory, in order to permit its reentry through the Earth's atmosphere with strictly defined conditions of radius, velocity, andflight path angle at the entry interface. These specific conditions impose requirements to the configuration, performance, and trajectory of the launcher. This strategy considers that the total energy is applied instantlyfor the reentry orbit injection. Impulsive ignition time and necessary attitude for the last stage are obtained based on orbital parameters, having a match between the nonpropelled and reentry orbits, and boundary conditions at the initial state and at the entry interface. Impulsive ignition time was corrected for compensating the impulsive assumption and the calculated attitude related to an inertial frame. The obtained results show the efficiency of the algorithm involving reentry missions with uncontrolled last stage, as the Sharp Edge Flight Experiment (SHEFEX) program.

Keywords:
Algorithms; Orbit transfer vehicles; Pointing control systems; Reentry guidance; Reentry vehicle; Trajectory analysis

Full text available only in PDF format.

REFERENCES

Bate, R.R. et al., 1971, "Fundamentais of Astrodynamics", DoverPublications, Inc., New York, 450p.
Birkhoff, G. and Mac-Lane, S., 1998, "A Survey of Modem Álgebra", AKP Classics, 5th edition, 626p.
Chobotov, VA., 2002, "Orbital Mechanics", AIAA Inc., 3rd edition, 460p.
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Leite Filho, W.C., 1994, "Pointing Algorithm, A Strategy for Orbit Injection with Uncontrolled Last Stage", In ESA, Proceedings of the 2nd ESA International Conference on GNC, Noordwijk, pp. 339-342.
Nepomuceno, A.L. and Leite Filho, W.C., 2011, "Satellite Launcher Pointing for Orbit Injection with Uncontrolled Solid-Propellant Last Stage", In: 4^th European Conference for Aerospace Sciences (EUCASS), July 4-8, Saint Petersburg, Russia.
Pietrobom, H.C. and Leite Filho, W.C., 2011, "Algoritmo de Apontamento para Injeção de Satélite em Órbita", In: X DINCON Conferência Brasileira de Dinâmica, Controle e Aplicações, 29 de Agosto a 02 de Setembro, Águas de Lindóia.
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» http://www.space.com/6564-edge-space.html
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» http://mathworld.wolfram.com/CubicFormula.html

Publication Dates

Publication in this collection
Jul-Sep 2012

History

Received
23 Feb 2012
Accepted
13 May 2012

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

[1] Bate, R.R. et al., 1971, "Fundamentais of Astrodynamics", DoverPublications, Inc., New York, 450p.

[2] Birkhoff, G. and Mac-Lane, S., 1998, "A Survey of Modem Álgebra", AKP Classics, 5th edition, 626p.

[3] Chobotov, VA., 2002, "Orbital Mechanics", AIAA Inc., 3rd edition, 460p.

[4] Comelisse, J.W. et al., 1979, "Rocket Propulsion and Space-flight Dynamics", Pitman, Belfast, 505p.

[5] Jones, H.L. and Crawford, B. S., 1974, "Space Shuttle Entry and Landing Navigation Analysis", NASA Tech. Rep. TR-302-2, Houston, Texas, 242p.

[6] Leite Filho, W.C., 1994, "Pointing Algorithm, A Strategy for Orbit Injection with Uncontrolled Last Stage", In ESA, Proceedings of the 2nd ESA International Conference on GNC, Noordwijk, pp. 339-342.

[7] Nepomuceno, A.L. and Leite Filho, W.C., 2011, "Satellite Launcher Pointing for Orbit Injection with Uncontrolled Solid-Propellant Last Stage", In: 4^th European Conference for Aerospace Sciences (EUCASS), July 4-8, Saint Petersburg, Russia.

[8] Pietrobom, H.C. and Leite Filho, W.C., 2011, "Algoritmo de Apontamento para Injeção de Satélite em Órbita", In: X DINCON Conferência Brasileira de Dinâmica, Controle e Aplicações, 29 de Agosto a 02 de Setembro, Águas de Lindóia.

[9] Robbins, H. M., 1966, "An analytical study of the impulsive approximation", AIAA Journal, Vol. 4, No. 8, pp. 1417-1423.

[10] Theil, S. et al., 2008, "Hybrid Navigation System for the SHEFEX-2 Mission", In: AIAA Guidance, Navigation and Control Conference and Exhibit, Honolulu, Hawaii, pp. 1-13.

[11] Thompson, A., 2009, "Edge of Space Found", Retrieved in April 09, 2009, http://www.space.com/6564-edge-space.html
» http://www.space.com/6564-edge-space.html

[12] Weisstein, E.W., 2011, "Cubic Formula.", From MathWorld - A Wolfram Web Resource, Retrieved in October 15, 2011, http://mathworld.wolfram.com/CubicFormula.html
» http://mathworld.wolfram.com/CubicFormula.html

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