Trajectory Optimization of a Launch Vehicle with Explicit Instantaneous Impact Point Constraints for Various Range Safety Requirements

Abstract

This paper proposes a new trajectory optimization approach that can directly handle the range safety for launch operations. An analytic solution for an instantaneous impact point (IIP) of a vehicle is introduced and used to describe the constraints of the optimization problem in an explicit way. A quadratic formula that can address various types of range safety requirements is proposed. Based on the aforementioned elements, the launch trajectory optimization problem with explicit IIP constraints is mathematically defined. The validity of the proposed trajectory optimization is demonstrated through two case studies using realistic launch vehicle data and range safety issues. (C) 2015 American Society of Civil Engineers.