Extension of motion primitives and neighboring optimal control used in trajectory generation for RLVs

Abstract

In recent years, the Department of Defense and NASA have imposed significant resources on developing advanced launch technologies. Reusable launch vehicle (RLV) program is one of such efforts to take the place of space shuttles for RLVs. Our previous research proposed a scheme of motion primitives (MPs) and neighboring optimal control (NOC) to deal with on-line failure recovery for an RLV during approach and landing (A&L). In this paper, more general system dynamics is employed and the extension of MPs and NOC used in the trajectory generation during both terminal area energy management (TAEM) and A&L is discussed.